A Chicago woman, MaKenna Lauterbach, experienced an extraordinary and harrowing journey in the final weeks of her pregnancy, leading to the discovery of a life-threatening tumor.
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The Onset of Symptoms
MaKenna Lauterbach, 26 at the time, began experiencing persistent and severe coughing fits during the last trimester of her pregnancy.
“They were so severe that I would become winded and nauseous to the point of vomiting,” Lauterbach told media.
Living on a farm in Washburn, Illinois, Lauterbach also noticed shortness of breath during routine tasks, such as feeding her horses and goats.
“My body felt like I just ran two miles when, in reality, I had only walked to the barn and back,” she said.
Her concerns were repeatedly dismissed by doctors, who attributed the symptoms to her pregnancy.
A Shocking Discovery
When Lauterbach’s coughing led to frequent vomiting, further medical tests were conducted, revealing a massive grapefruit-sized tumor in her chest. The tumor completely blocked the artery to her right lung, putting both her and her unborn baby at risk of respiratory collapse and cardiac arrest.
“It’s extremely rare to see this type of tumor invading into the major blood vessels of the heart,” said Dr. Chris Mehta, a cardiac surgeon at Northwestern Medicine.
A Life-Saving Delivery
As Lauterbach’s condition worsened, doctors performed an emergency cesarean section on Easter Sunday. Thankfully, her baby boy, Colten, was born healthy.
“The baby was not tolerating the contractions well, and MaKenna’s blood pressure was plummeting,” noted the medical team.
Battling Stage 3 Melanoma
Following her son’s birth, doctors diagnosed Lauterbach with stage 3 melanoma. The tumor had spread to her right lung and major blood vessels.
“I went through a roller coaster of emotions,” Lauterbach said. “I was grieving the birth plan I had spent months preparing while also dealing with the news of my unexpected diagnosis.”
Lauterbach underwent three cycles of immunotherapy, shrinking the tumor by 30%. Surgeons then removed her right lung, parts of her pulmonary artery, and lymph nodes.
A Successful Outcome
Despite the risks, the surgery was a success. Post-surgical scans revealed no evidence of metastatic melanoma.
“Her outcome was very good,” Dr. Mehta said. “In terms of cancer prognosis, we expect it to be quite good.”
Adjusting to a New Normal
Today, Lauterbach is adapting to life with one lung and continuing immunotherapy treatments. Her son, Colten, is thriving, and the family is looking forward to celebrating their first Christmas on the farm.
“Colten and my wonderful husband, Parker, are what have given me the strength to make it through everything,” she said.
Advice for Others
Lauterbach urged other women to trust their instincts:
“If you know something isn’t right, don’t take ‘I don’t know’ for an answer. Find someone who will take your concerns seriously and do extra testing just in case.”
