In April, 37-year-old Carrie DeKlyen was diagnosed with gliobastoma, an aggressive cancerous tumor that affects the brain and spinal cord.
A mom of five, Carrie made the choice to fight the cancer and enrolled in a clinical trial at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. That's when she received another news that scared her more than death - she was pregnant.
Doctor's told Carrie that the pregnancy would need to be terminated if she wanted to participate in the trial. However, the thought of losing the baby didn't sit well with Carrie. She decided to forgo the trial and chemotherapy treatments so she could carry her child to full term.
"The doctor said if you don't terminate this baby, Carrie, you will die," Carrie's husband Nick told People. "But it was Carrie's decision and I said "˜What do you want to do?' She said, "˜We're keeping it.'"
In August, People reported that despite undergoing four major brain surgeries, Carrie's condition had deteriorated into a "vegetative state" and she was put on life support so the baby can remain healthy until it can be delivered.
7 weeks after Carrie lost consciousness, her husband Nick announced the birth of their sixth child on Wednesday and shared an update on his fighter wife's health.
Baby Life Lynn DeKlyen was delivered at 24 weeks and weighed 1 pound and 4 ounces according to Carrie's Facebook page, Cure 4 Carrie.
A new picture from this morning! The baby has a full name now, her name is Life Lynn Deklyen. Lynn after Carrie. She...
Posted by Cure 4 Carrie on Thursday, September 7, 2017
The baby's first name was picked by Carrie before her condition worsened. According to the Facebook post, the newborn's second name, Lynn, was chosen as a nod to her mother.
Life will join her siblings Elijah, 18, Isaiah, 16, Nevaeh, 11, Leila, 4, and Jez, 1.
Unfortunately, Carrie's family made the decision to take her off life support following the birth because, as of last week, she had become completely unresponsive.
I have received some messages regarding Carrie. Carrie is off all support and very comfortable she is in God's hands until he calls her home. Please pray for all of us.
Posted by Cure 4 Carrie on Thursday, September 7, 2017
Although heartbroken, Nick told the news site that he will be raising their children on his own if Carrie dies and he "couldn't be more proud" of his wife.
"Not in this life, but after my time is up I'll be with her again in Heaven," he said. "She made the decision to give Life a chance at life."
Update 09/11: Unfortunately, Carrie was taken off life support after the baby was born and she died on Saturday surrounded by family.
Update 9/21: People reported that baby Life Lynn DeKlyen has passed away two weeks after her miraculous birth. She was initially doing well, but "took a turn for worse" this week.
"We are just extremely heartbroken," Life's aunt, Sonia Nelson, told the website. "We don't have any answers," she continued. "Maybe Carrie needed her."
Our prayers are with the entire DeKylen family.
[H/T: People]
