A teen mother who was given just three months to live after being diagnosed with a deadly, inoperable brain tumor during her seventh month of pregnancy is holding on to hope that a miracle will unfold.
“I just want to be a wonderful mother,” Dana Scatton, 17, told The Daily Mail of her plight.
Scatton suffers from diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a tumor that is present near the brain stem. It can neither be operated on nor biopsied due to its sensitive location.
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The first-year college student started experiencing symptoms of the tumor in November when she began to have trouble speaking. It didn’t take long after Scatton mentioned her symptoms during a routine doctor visit for physicians to deliver the unthinkable and life-changing diagnosis: she had just months to live if she didn’t immediately seek treatment.
Scatton, who was seven months pregnant at the time, immediately asked, “Is my baby going to be okay?”
With that in mind, the initial plan was for her to deliver the baby early and then start radiation treatment, but her condition worsened. So, Scatton did start the treatments before the birth.
Then, as Scatton’s health continued to deteriorate, doctors had to act quickly to perform an emergency cesarian section on Jan. 4, bringing little Aries Marie into the world, according to The Daily Mail.
Despite facing an uphill battle — one that has already impacted Scatton’s ability to swallow, breathe and move her arms and legs — she had an incredibly inspirational statement about the birth of Aries Marie.
“The battle has already been won,” Scatton said, adding that she’s forging on as she prepares to celebrate her 18th birthday on Thursday. “I’m not going to go by what they say, I’m expecting a miracle.”
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In the mean time, Scatton’s family and friends have come together for prayer services and fundraisers aimed at helping her and her baby. Two events — a 5K called the “Dash for Dana” and the “Dance for Dana” — are planned in the coming weeks.
A GoFundMe has also raised more than $37,000, with a final goal set for $200,000.
“Due to the very high cost of treatment for DIPG, Dana is in dire need of financial support,” a description reads. “Any amount can make a difference and save my sister’s life. If you’re not in a position to donate, we ask that you please pray for Dana & and her newly born baby, Aries Marie.”
The “Pray for Dana” Facebook page noted in a post on Wednesday that Scatton is relying heavily on her faith and on prayer to get through this difficult time. Prayers up to her, her new baby and her family.