Pregnant, with cancer; what does the mother-to-be do? To take life-saving chemotherapy for her brain tumor would destroy her growing baby. Not to do so would destroy her. In July of 2011, Stacie Crimm, 41, single, faced that very decision.
After a brief period of agony, Stacie decided in favor of her child. When she collapsed in August, her family rushed her to University of Oklahoma Medical Center. Stacie’s tumor growth had threatened her life. Two days later, the baby’s heart rate sank; Stacie’s heart stopped. After the “code blue” alert, rather than resuscitate her, the doctors took 2-pound, 1-ounce Dottie Mae by C-section.
As a demonstration of her will to live, after several days Stacie abandoned her ventilator and sedatives. Improvement didn’t last long, however, as she soon fell unconscious. When her heart stopped again, doctors revived her.
With death immanent, nurses consulted every one involved. Doctors, nurses and others in protective gear stood around as nurses carefully lifted Dottie Mae from the wheeled incubator to Stacie’s chest. Mother and daughter gazed at each other several minutes. “No one said a word. No one had a dry eye,” said the NewsOK report.
Three days later, Stacie Crimm died. Her agonizing decision transformed her tragedy into hope for Dottie Mae.
