Amy Carroll, a 34-year-old support worker and mindset coach from Great Addington, Northamptonshire, gave birth to her son Arlo nine weeks early after a seizure led to a diagnosis of stage 4 brain cancer. The emergency c-section took place on Monday at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford when Amy was nearly 31 weeks pregnant.
Seizure Leads to Cancer Diagnosis
Amy initially attributed her fainting and dizziness to gestational diabetes, which she was diagnosed with at the start of her fourth pregnancy. However, on June 17 at 3 a.m., her partner Torrin Sirus, 36, woke to find her having a seizure. She was rushed to hospital. Two days later, CT and MRI scans revealed seven masses on her brain, confirming stage 4 brain cancer. Doctors later determined it was secondary cancer from the breast cancer she had overcome in 2021.
Amy said: “I was taken down to the theatre at 11:11 on Monday morning. I had him, then I had a seizure after so I cannot remember much of the birth.”
Baby Arlo’s Condition
Arlo Atlas Sirus weighed 4lb 2oz at birth and is currently on oxygen in the high dependency intensive care unit. An X-ray showed his lungs are cloudy, but nurses report he is doing well for his size. He is on donor breast milk and has increased his intake from 8.8mg to 7.6mg. Amy added: “He is so cute, whenever I see Arlo every worry goes away, I forget I’ve had a c-section and that I’ve got the tumours.”
Urgent Treatment Plan
Amy is scheduled to begin her first round of radiotherapy on July 15. She fears she will not be able to hold Arlo during chemotherapy due to his small size and her exhaustion from treatment. She recalled her previous chemotherapy experience: “When I do have chemotherapy, I won't be able to touch him at all, which will be so hard. When I had chemotherapy before I couldn't touch my kids. I was so tired and exhausted from it, and I know I will be again this time.”
Doctors have not yet specified the type of chemotherapy, as they are completing radiotherapy first and will reassess the treatment plan.
Previous Breast Cancer Battle
Amy discovered breast cancer in 2021 after undergoing cosmetic breast surgery following breastfeeding. She said: “That was when I noticed the little lump that turned out to be breast cancer. I ended up having chemotherapy, radiotherapy and eight different surgeries. I’m past the point of caring what my boobs look like now but that cosmetic surgery saved my life as I wouldn't have known I had cancer then.”
After her breast cancer recovery, Amy began fundraising for others in similar situations. She has three other sons, aged 18, 12, and 8, who have not been able to visit since Arlo’s birth.
Community Support
Friend Kirsty Wilkinson set up a JustGiving page to support Amy. Amy said: “When I beat cancer the first time, I started fundraising as it helped me and was good to help people. I wish I had this support when I was going through it the first time, as if you’ve got the right people and support then that helps you get up every morning.”
Amy, also a tattoo model, worries about potential side effects of treatment, including memory loss, balance issues, loss of eyesight, and inability to talk. She said: “I just don't want to forget my life and my kids, I just don’t want to lose that.”
