A pregnant mother who dismissed her dizzy spells as a symptom of gestational diabetes has been left devastated after discovering she had a brain tumour and must now give birth nine weeks prematurely. Amy Carroll, 34, was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at the outset of her fourth pregnancy and attributed her fainting episodes to the condition. However, when she suffered a seizure in bed beside her partner Torrin Sirus, 36, she was rushed to hospital at 3am on June 17.
Diagnosis and Emergency C-Section
Two days later, following a CT and MRI scan, doctors confirmed Amy had stage four brain cancer with seven masses on her brain. Specialists at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, subsequently established it was a secondary cancer linked to the breast cancer she had beaten in 2021. With treatment being so urgent, doctors have scheduled an emergency C-section on Monday, July 6, when Amy will be almost 31 weeks pregnant.
Amy, a support worker and mindset coach from Great Addington, Northamptonshire, said: "This pregnancy saved my life because I didn't realise I was ill. After my breast cancer treatment, I was told I could never have kids, so this baby is a miracle."
Initial Symptoms and Seizure
At the start of her pregnancy, Amy began to feel unwell and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes for the first time. She said: "I was feeling a bit dizzy and faint, but thought it was a side effect of the diabetes and tried to shake it off. Then my partner woke up to me having a seizure and an ambulance rushed me to hospital, I don't remember any of that. Within a couple of days, they told me the cancer had come back and there were seven masses on my brain."
The mother-of-four was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 after undergoing cosmetic surgery on her breasts following breastfeeding. She explained: "I had my boys quite young and my boobs looked different, so I went and had breast surgery. 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."
Family Impact and Treatment Plan
The secondary cancer diagnosis has devastated the family, with her partner Torrin remaining by her side throughout. Medical staff have now arranged her C-section for July 6, enabling her to begin radiotherapy treatment the week after. Speaking from her hospital bed, Amy revealed: "After my breast cancer chemo, the doctors told me that I couldn't have kids ever, so even to get pregnant was an absolute miracle. We found out over Christmas and the baby was due on my birthday, which felt extra special. Now he is coming on Monday, I'll have to be put under general anaesthetic then, fingers crossed, when I come round I can see him."
She added: "They said babies at this age should recover well and the doctors have been very reassuring. We have decided to name him Arlo Atlas Sirus. When I start treatment, I won't be able to be with the baby all the time, which is going to break me; I've got to see how I am after each treatment. When I do have chemotherapy, I won't be able to touch him at all, which will be so hard."
Concerns About Side Effects
Throughout her treatment, Amy, a tattoo model by profession, has expressed deep concern over the potential side effects she may face. She said: "There are so many potential complications after these surgeries, including memory loss, balance issues, loss of eyesight and inability to talk. I just don't want to forget my life and my kids, I just don't want to lose that."
Amy's three other sons, aged 18, 12 and eight, have yet to visit her in hospital. She told Talk to the Press: "The boys haven't been able to visit yet, but they are coming up later this week before I go under general anaesthetic as I look at the worst case scenario. We're going to go to Costa and just have a nice time. I just want my kids to have a bit of normality in the six-week holiday coming up, so I hope everything goes well."
Fundraising and Support
Following her recovery from breast cancer, Amy threw herself into fundraising for others facing similar circumstances, forging numerous friendships along the way. One such friend, Kirsty Wilkinson, launched a JustGiving page to help support Amy. Amy explained: "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. I was so shocked and surprised when Kirsty set up my JustGiving. I've fundraised for others but never for myself before so I was taken aback, but it was so lovely and so thoughtful of her."
