Pregnant after infertility and diagnosed with cancer, Sarah chose life

After years of infertility, Sarah Hull was finally pregnant. But she was also grappling with a fever she couldn’t shake. Sent to an infectious disease specialist, she was hospitalized for four days to root out the cause of her mysterious illness, which had caused her white blood cells to skyrocket. At the time, she was 20 weeks pregnant.

Hull told Live Action News, “It was determined that I had cat scratch fever and I was sent home.”

The diagnosis made sense at the time since Hull had recently adopted a kitten. But she would soon learn she did not have cat scratch fever; she had a life-threatening disease.

Key Takeaways:

• Sarah Hull struggled with infertility for two years before learning she was pregnant.

• During her pregnancy, she began to experience a constant fever and was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer: anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma.

• Her doctor advised her to have an abortion, but Hull refused.

• She searched for another doctor and found one who knew of a treatment that would not harm her baby.

• Hull underwent treatment, gave birth to a healthy baby, and went on to have another daughter.

Encouraged to abort:

“When I didn’t improve, I met with my primary care physician who confirmed I had anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma, after a having a biopsy of my lymph nodes,” Hull said. “I didn’t know what was going to happen. I was terrified.”

Two days later, Hull saw an oncologist who told her she had an aggressive form of cancer. She had tumors in her lungs that she was told would eventually grow and cut off her airway, suffocating her.

Hull said, “He didn’t seem too informed about how to proceed, given I was pregnant. He advised me to abort my baby. He told me I would have a better chance to live if I terminated my pregnancy.”

She underwent a bone marrow biopsy to determine whether the cancer had spread to her bones, but after that procedure, she never went back to see that doctor.

“I would rather have died than have an abortion like he suggested,” Hull said.

This pregnancy was especially meaningful to Hull. She had struggled with infertility and had been trying to become pregnant for two years when she finally conceived.

“I was very excited when I got pregnant. My baby’s life was just starting, and I wanted her to have the best possible outcome," she said.

Renewed hope:

After her experience with the previous oncologist, Hull decided to find a new one. This new doctor offered her optimism and encouragement. He explained that, in other countries, women facing similar challenges had undergone a specific chemotherapy regimen during pregnancy. These women delivered healthy babies, and those children did not experience any long-term health complications.

“It was such a relief to get this information,” Hull said. “I felt hope.”

But her maternal-fetal medicine specialist was not so encouraging.

“The specialist made me read every drug I was going to be required to take and how it could impact my baby,” Hull said. “But I was still determined to get the treatment. This doctor, however, claimed I’d most likely experience a [miscarriage] anyway.”

Upon hearing such a dire prediction, Hull went into the bathroom and sobbed. Afterward, she went home to pray and decide how to move forward. The oncologist in charge of her care referred her to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, telling Hull there might be new innovative cancer treatments for those dealing with similar diseases.

Hull said, “I went to MD Anderson a week before Christmas. It was there that chemotherapy would be administered that women in South America had, and their babies were born healthy with no long-term adverse effects.”

For a pregnant woman to have lymphoma, Hull noted, was rare. But the oncologist gave her hope that she could go into remission and deliver a healthy baby.

“I was still considered a high risk,” Hull said. “And it was urgent that I undergo treatment immediately, but I felt more optimistic than I had initially.”

Hull began her cancer regimen the day after Christmas, and it progressed well. Every two weeks, she underwent an ultrasound that indicated her baby was growing normally.

“She even had hair, where I had lost mine,” Hull said.

To help her cope, Hull imagined that Our Lady of Guadalupe was wrapping her arms around her baby nestled in the womb, keeping her safe. Hull’s unwavering faith in God’s mercy and grace sustained her throughout her cancer journey. No matter the challenges she faced, she continued to believe in the possibility of a positive outcome for her and her baby.

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An optimal outcome:

Hull explained that she sought help from four different OB/GYNs, but none were willing to take her as a patient. She eventually found an OB/GYN who, despite being on the verge of retirement and not accepting any new patients, agreed to see her after his wife persuaded him. 

“My daughter would be the last baby he delivered,” Hull said.

To ensure her blood would clot normally, the delivery was timed between her chemotherapy sessions. Subsequent X-rays and MRIs showed her cancer was shrinking.

Ultimately, her baby was born prematurely via C-section, spending just one night in the neonatal intensive care unit. Hull was grateful for the blessing of a healthy baby amid her cancer battle.

Although Hull’s cancer ultimately went into remission, she continues to face ongoing health challenges. Due to her immune deficiency, she remains vulnerable to various diseases and illnesses.

Hull was also told she would never bear another child — but she did.

“My two daughters are just 19 months apart," Hull said. "I never regretted my decision to fight for the life of my baby.”

To protect herself from potential infections that her children might encounter in traditional school settings, Hull made the decision to homeschool. 

The Bottom Line:

“I wanted to share my story to show that doctors aren’t always right regarding women’s health outcomes," Hull said. "It’s important to advocate for your health and to know your options. I am so grateful for my two daughters.”