Up until age 30 – Fiona lived life to the full. She was healthy and happy, travelled the world and was building a successful career.
That was until April 2023, when Fiona received the difficult diagnosis of a rare form of lung cancer.
Unsure if the treatment would include chemotherapy, Fiona, still in shock, made the quick decision to freeze her eggs. She adored children and had always wanted to be a mum, so this was an easy decision for her.
The most appropriate treatment for Fiona ended up being immunotherapy tablets rather than chemotherapy and the cancer stabilised.
Shortly after the cancer stabilised, much to Fiona and her partner Inti’s complete surprise but absolute delight, she had fallen pregnant naturally.
Having been through a difficult time, this wonderful surprise had brought hope to Fiona and Inti and they were assured that the pregnancy wouldn’t interfere with Fiona’s ongoing immunotherapy treatment.
It was a normal and very easy pregnancy. Fiona enjoyed things like walking every day and prenatal pilates.
However, at 22 weeks, Fiona began to find herself short of breath – it was extremely difficult for her to breathe. She would leave her pilates classes gasping for air, but being her first pregnancy, she thought this was because she was pregnant and convinced herself that it was normal.
One week later, in June 2024, a few days after family and friends gathered for a gender reveal celebration, Fiona found herself in excruciating pain. She immediately called Monash Health. The pregnancy assessment centre advised Fiona to come in immediately.
The scan showed that the baby was looking good, but Fiona felt so unwell. Her oxygen was low, her stats were dropping…she couldn’t breathe.
Fiona had to undergo a procedure. She was petrified. Going under general anaesthetic while pregnant, sent a million fearful thoughts racing through her head.
Fiona made it through and their unborn baby was unaffected. Fiona was taken to her hospital room.
That’s when she suffered two strokes….
The rest was a blur for Fiona.
Fiona required emergency surgeries to remove blood clots from her brain.
After the second surgery, Fiona was left unconscious and in critical condition. Fiona, usually so full of life, intubated and on a breathing machine, was one of the hardest things for her family and friends to see.
An extensive team of Monash Health specialist doctors, including oncology, haematology, neurology, an interventional neuroradiologist, stroke and maternity held an emergency meeting to plan what steps should be taken next for Fiona and bub. Bringing together specialists from so many disciplines, in such a short amount of time, was possible because of the breadth and scope of Monash Health services.
During this incredibly difficult time, Inti faced the unimaginable choice, deciding whether to deliver their baby early in case Fiona did not make it. But he believed Fiona would pull through, and with unwavering faith, she did.
Doctors told Fiona that the further the pregnancy progressed, the better the chances would be for the baby.
Fiona, determined to give her baby the best chance, managed to carry her baby to 34 weeks and 5 days. Baby Raia (her name meaning ‘hope’) was born.
‘Our miracle baby’ Fiona says. ‘A fighter just like her mum who has brought immense joy into our lives’.
It was anticipated that Raia would go straight into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) but incredibly, she did not need any assistance with her breathing – a miracle indeed.
Today, Raia at six months old, is a much needed ray of light as Fiona continues to manage her cancer journey. Raia is thriving and continues to reach all her developmental milestones.
Fiona had two strokes while she was pregnant with clots to her heart and brain. It was so fortunate that she was at Monash Health when it happened so that doctors could act quickly. Though it was touch and go immediately post stroke, Fiona has not been impacted much from the stroke since then. She is able to walk, talk, drive and continue to do what she did prior to the stroke. If it had happened at home, it could have been a very different story.
‘I wouldn’t be here without the wonderful team of doctors and nurses. I am so eternally grateful to Monash health’.
Fiona’s stroke had occurred as a result of the cancer spreading which made the blood thicker, causing the clots. Fiona’s cause of stroke was unusual. More commonly stroke in pregnant women is related to high blood pressure or hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.
With as many as 1 in 5 women who will have a stroke, there are so many women at high risk, especially during pregnancy and post-partum, who need your support. Stroke does not discriminate.
Monash Health is launching a national first – Stroke in Women Service for these women.
Your donation today will help fund a specialised Electromyography Machine (EMG) which can measure variability in heart rate and blood pressure. This could significantly enhance stroke care for all women, especially pregnant women with high blood pressure who are at higher risk of stroke compared to women of the same age.
You can make your much needed donation online today at monashhealth.org/foundation-2025appeal or call us on (03) 9594 2700.
Whatever your gift, you can help change the lives of many women at risk of stroke.
