Diagnosed with end-stage breast cancer, a pregnant woman in Hanoi made a bold decision to put off her treatment process to keep the baby.

Nguyen Thi L., 28, was diagnosed with end-stage breast cancer two months ago, when she was in her fifth month pregnancy.

The mother-to-be decided to pass on radiation therapy to maintain the fetal development of her child, despite high possibility of death for herself.

In the next two month of pregnancy, she suffered from the pain caused by breast cancer and struggled a lot with daily life activities, even breathing, since her health and immune system were degrading significantly day by day.

However, the baby seemed to grow healthily and everything had been going on the right track until L.’s condition became really severe on Tuesday this week, prompting surgeons at National Cancer Hospital (K Hospital) in Hanoi to take the baby out prematurely.

The child said hello to the world on Wednesday night in tears of happiness of his family, especially his father, and was named Do Binh An, meaning “peaceful.”

The newborn was immediately transferred to the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology (NHOG) for further special care.

The hospital director Tran Danh Cuong said this was one of the most complicated surgeries he had done in his career since L. had to sit all the time and could barely breathe.

He also shared he was touched by L.’s unconditional love for her child although her condition was really severe at that time and she could die at any moment.

“The first thing L. asked me when she gained back her consciousness was not how she could continue the treatment but how much her baby weighed,” Cuong said with respect to the young mother.

“I wish the best for L. and her family because she really deserves it,” he added.

Do Binh An is given special treatment at National Cancer Hospital in Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Nurses at National Cancer Hospital in Hanoi take care of the baby. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Surgeons at National Cancer Hospital in Hanoi have to take the baby out when L. was sitting. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Do Van Hung, L.’s husband, bursts out into tears when Binh An is born at National Cancer Hospital in Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Surgeons at National Cancer Hospital in Hanoi have to take the baby out when L. was sitting. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Tools and medicine are well-prepared for the special surgery at National Cancer Hospital in Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Tran Danh Cuong holds the baby after the surgery at National Cancer Hospital in Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Do Binh An is given special treatment at National Cancer Hospital in Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

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