Life has a way of being breathtakingly beautiful one moment and heartbreakingly cruel the next. I suppose that’s part of the journey — the unpredictable, often unfair twists it throws our way.
Brianna Rawlings was just 18 years old, 17 weeks pregnant, and excited to welcome her baby into the world when everything changed. She received a devastating diagnosis: a rare and aggressive blood cancer called NK cell leukemia. Tragically, the early warning signs had been brushed off by doctors as nothing more than common pregnancy symptoms.
Almost halfway through her pregnancy, Brianna was faced with an impossible choice. She could either end her baby’s life and begin the treatment that might save her, or continue with the pregnancy and hope her baby would be born healthy and strong.
The young girl chose to put off treatment and focus on bringing her son into the world. Sadly, in a heartbreaking turn of events, her brave choice would cost both mother and baby their lives.
Her little boy, Kyden, was born three months early and lived for just 12 precious days. In those days, he was surrounded by endless love — enough to last a lifetime. But being born too soon made it too difficult for his tiny body to stay strong.
Brianna had developed a serious blood infection, and doctors feared it could harm the baby. To protect him, they performed an emergency C-section.
In an interview with Femail, shared by the Daily Mail, Brianna spoke about those special days:
“Those 12 days I spent with my baby boy Kyden, holding him, counting his tiny fingers and toes, and talking to him like I did when he was in my tummy — they were the best 12 days of my life.”
She added, “It’s been very hard, long, and painful. Even though Kyden has passed away, he gave me the strength to keep fighting and stay strong.”
“I want to beat this terrible disease. I believe I can do it, and I made a promise to my son.”
At first, it really seemed like Brianna was getting stronger. Her blood levels started to improve, and she was working hard every day to get her legs moving again.
But sadly, things took a turn for the worse. Her health slowly began to get weaker, and doctors were forced to cancel the bone marrow transplant they had planned for her, which was going to come from her brother.
Instead, doctors offered Brianna a trial medicine they hoped might give her a better chance to recover.
Even though the treatment cost a huge $3,000 each week, her loving family managed to raise the money so she could begin the treatment properly.
Sadly, after just two rounds of the medicine, the cancer became too strong.
On December 29, 2018, 19-year-old Brianna Rawlings passed away after a brave and inspiring fight with leukemia. She showed a strength and kindness that few people could match.
Her story is a beautiful reminder of the deepest love a person can have — the love between a mother and her child. Our hearts and thoughts are with Brianna’s family. She was truly a wonderful person who gave everything for her baby.
