Living for two: Cathy Wolfe

Cathy holding husband Pat's hand while in labor with Johnathon. Photo by Joseph C. Garza.

Tomorrow is my “little” girl’s birthday. She will be 11, sniff, sniff! She always enjoys the time leading up to her birthday when I tell her stories of my pregnancy and labor. “At this time, 11 years ago, we were waiting for you to make your debut, but you weren’t ready yet. (she was five days late).”

I remember truly realizing what people mean when they call babies a miracle. Holding her in my arms, I couldn’t believe this beautiful, perfect child was ours.

Miracle Survivor Cathy Wolfe knows a thing or two about miracle births. I met Cathy at a Camp Kesem reunion this fall. Both our children attended this wonderful summer camp for kids with parents who have/had cancer. We chatted briefly about her amazing story, and I knew I had to share it in my book.

Cathy was early into the pregnancy with her second son Johnathon when she learned she had ovarian cancer. Her doctor told her she could only guarantee her survival if she immediately had a hysterectomy, thus terminating her much-wanted pregnancy.

Cathy had already gone through an agonizing miscarriage, and her greatest desire was to have a large family. She pleaded with her doctor to wait until the baby could be delivered prematurely. The doctor finally relented and Cathy embarked her perilous journey to save herself and her child.

I was unable to keep food down and survived on ice chips and water. The pain was unbearable. The tumors were getting so big that any fall or pressure could cause them to rupture. Dr. Soriero likened it to a dandelion. When you blow on the seeds; they go wherever they want. So I was confined to a wheelchair. 

At almost 15 weeks, I couldn’t stand it any longer. I felt like I was dying. I was rushed to the hospital where I learned my body was starting to become toxic because the cysts were obstructing my bowel. I prayed, holding my rosary the whole time.

When my blood levels stabilized, they called Dr. Soriero to lead the surgery. During the procedure, she gently held my uterus with one hand while removing the tumors. That alone could have caused me to go immediately into labor. The smallest one was 22 centimeters, much larger than the fetus at that time.

 About five and half hours later, I was back in my room. The first thing I said when I awoke was, “Baby?” Pat said “Yes.” Then I said, “Cancer?” And he said I’d have to ask the doctor. I knew my baby had survived and was so very happy.

 Miraculously, I carried my son to term, delivering him on November 6, 1997. We named him Johnathan, and he was healthy and perfect. When he was born, Pat went over to him and said, “Welcome to our world. It’s OK, Mommy and Daddy are here.” At that moment, he reached his hands up to Pat’s face. What a beautiful moment!

Today, more than 10 years after her diagnosis, Cathy remains cancer-free. She now helps other women who are pregnant with cancer through an organization called Hope for Two, http://www.pregnantwithcancer.org/.