A 16-year-old girl with terminal cancer has chosen to put her treatment on hold so she can give birth to her child.
Rhianna Truman, from Hawke's bay, NZ, has adamantinoma, a rare bone cancer. It was first found in her leg in 2012, and despite operations to remove the tumour, it has since spread to her lungs.
Earlier this year Truman fell pregnant, and despite others telling her not to keep the child, she chose to put her cancer treatment on hold in order to give birth.
"When I found out I was pretty scared, but I didn't want to give up on my baby. I think it was the right decision to keep it," she said.
"It was a hard decision at the time. For me, it was the right thing to do."
Her doctors have said they are restricted in what treatment they can give until she has the child.
"When I ask them how long I have they can't give me answer," she said.
"There is no cure. Chemo and radiation won't work. They were going to start a new drug on me, but I was pregnant so I couldn't start the trial.
"I am worried, but I will 100% try to beat this".
The pregnancy had gone well so far, she said. Her baby boy is healthy and she isn't experiencing any abnormal pain.
"I don't have physical pain, just emotional. I don't want to leave my family behind. They are the ones who have held me together through it all."
Next week she will undergo an early caesarean to remove the baby.
Rhianna doesn't know how long she will have with her child, but is determined to have as much time as possible.
"Everyone has obstacles you are going to have to jump over in life. Sometimes I will fall over, but I will get back up and keep fighting."
"I am very happy, and am so excited. I know it won't be easy but I know it will be worth it," she said.
Stuff.co.nz
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