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Cancer survivor has miracle baby after being told treatment would leave her infertile

Caroline Lettres welcomed daughter Rene-Rose years after being told cancer treatment would leave her infertile <i>(Image: SWNS)</i>
Caroline Lettres welcomed daughter Rene-Rose years after being told cancer treatment would leave her infertile (Image: SWNS)

A cancer survivor who “gave up” on her dream of becoming a mum after being told treatment would leave her infertile has spoken of her joy after welcoming her "miracle" baby.

Caroline Lettres, from Brighton, was told she had aggressive breast cancer in September 2016 after finding a lump in her left breast as she put on a dress for her 31st birthday.

"I was distraught, I felt young and fit,” she said.

"I just thought about all the stuff I hadn't done, including not having children.

"I was already getting to the age that I needed to seriously consider having kids, and this diagnosis destroyed that dream."

One month after the diagnosis, Caroline was put on a list for a trial drug called Olaporib.

Her tumour was classed as “extremely aggressive” and doctors hoped the experimental drug would prevent the cancer from growing and spreading while shrinking the cancer cells.

After spending three months undergoing radiotherapy, 19 chemotherapy sessions and surgery to remove the tumour in her breast tissue, medics broke the news that she'd likely never have a baby naturally due to the treatment’s side effects.

The Argus: Caroline was put on trial drug Olaporib
The Argus: Caroline was put on trial drug Olaporib

Caroline was put on trial drug Olaporib (Image: SWNS)

"I asked a doctor if I would ever have kids, and they just shook their head,” she said.

"It was made quite clear that it was very unlikely to happen for me and that due to my age, I was most likely to miss the window for NHS IVF.

"I already knew I was fighting against the clock, but you always think you've got more time.

"I was devastated and heartbroken that my dream of having a baby was over.”

Caroline started the trial in October 2016 and seven months later discovered her cancer had gone.

She was then “over the moon” to find she was pregnant with Rene-Rose McFarlane, now three, in January 2019.

The Argus: Renee-Rose was born in 2019
The Argus: Renee-Rose was born in 2019

Renee-Rose was born in 2019 (Image: SWNS)

The 37-year-old stay-at-home mum said: ''I never thought I would be here today, let alone have a beautiful daughter.

"When I was told that there no chance I could have kids, I lost all hope.

"I'd always wanted to be a mum.

"That's why when I found out I was pregnant, I was in complete disbelief.

''It was the best shock ever."

She had only dated her child's father, Eric McFarlane, 56, who works on offshore on oil rigs, for three months before discovering they were expecting.

The couple now happily co-parent their daughter together after they broke up when she was a year old.

Rene-Rose was born on September 13 at Worthing Hospital weighing 6lbs.

The Argus: Caroline Lettres, Eric McFalon and Renee-Rose
The Argus: Caroline Lettres, Eric McFalon and Renee-Rose

Caroline Lettres, Eric McFalon and Renee-Rose (Image: SWNS)

"Motherhood is magical, I thought I was having a boy, and then when I found out I was having a girl my world was complete,” said Caroline.

"It made me feel whole for the first time.

"I never thought I would feel as happy as when I was told I was cancer-free, but then Rene-Rose came along.

"I can't believe that Rene-Rose is the first baby to be born after this new miracle drug."