06 April 2023 , 23:01
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A mother gave birth to her miracle baby boy after having her ovaries removed as part of life-saving cancer treatment.
Stacey Broadmeadow, 38, was shocked to discover she had a rare, million-to-one disease.
But she was even more terrified at the thought it would rob her of her chance of motherhood.
Now, thanks to experts at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, Stacey is clear of cancer and managed to freeze her eggs before conceiving little Harry.
He was born against the odds after just two embryos were deemed good enough for IVF treatment and the first fertility attempt ended in miscarriage.
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Stacey and Harry in hospital after birth (PA)
Harry was born against all odds (PA)Stacey, from Stockport, Gtr Manchester, said: “Harry has always been wanted.
“Ever since I was little I’ve always wanted a baby. He is just wonderful!
“He is an absolute miracle. Every time I look at him, I just think how lucky I am. I call him my little Nemo.
“In Finding Nemo, he was the last little egg left. So he’s my little miracle. He’s just so special.”
Stacey first began to feel poorly in 2017 when she had a sharp pain near her appendix. Her GP ruled out pregnancy and sent Stacey for an ultrasound where the radiographer noticed unusual signs.
Harry's birth came after a previous miscarriage (PA)Several scans later, she was referred to The Christie where an oncologist suspected she had pseudomyxoma peritonei and warned a devastated Stacey she may lose her ovaries.
The theatre manager had initial surgery at The Christie but was told she would also need a second operation to remove her spleen, gallbladder, layers of tissue, fallopian tubes and both ovaries.
This would be followed by putting heated chemotherapy directly into the abdomen to kill any remaining tumour cells. Stacey said: “I was very fortunate that in between the two operations, I was able to have my eggs harvested on the NHS.”
The final embryo was transferred in February last year and Stacey could hardly believe her luck when she became pregnant. Harry was born in November. Stacey added: “I feel like I’m going to be going on so many adventures with this little dude.”
Specialist nurse Rebecca Halstead supported Stacey throughout her fertility treatment. She said: “Being there for patients like Stacey is the reason I do what I do.”
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