Tyla

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

Woman who was left infertile from cancer as a teen given greatest gift by her sister

Emily Brown

Published 
| Last updated 

Woman who was left infertile from cancer as a teen given greatest gift by her sister

Featured Image Credit: Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group/Cancer Research UK

A research scientist whose cancer treatment left her infertile is now looking forward to growing her family thanks to an incredible gift given by her sister.

Dr Catherine Pointer, 30, was just 14 years old when she began to experience a period so heavy she needed a wheelchair.

She lost a stone in weight within two weeks, and after doctors conducted tests it was confirmed she had leukaemia.

Catherine was just 14 years old when she was diagnosed. Credit: Jenny Makin/YouTube
Catherine was just 14 years old when she was diagnosed. Credit: Jenny Makin/YouTube
Advert

"I was in shock," the scientist recalled to the Mail Online. "I was scared. But mum and dad were so upset, I remember trying to be composed for them, trying to make them laugh."

The teenager underwent four rounds of chemotherapy and got the all clear, but at 17 she learned her cancer had returned and was even more aggressive.

"If it had been caught two days later, I could have died," she said. "This time, the odds of surviving were much lower. But I had to focus on treatment."

Catherine was warned the 'lethal' dose of chemo she needed would likely leave her unable to carry a child, but as a young woman with her whole life ahead of her Catherine said she 'wasn't interested in motherhood' at that point, she 'just needed to survive'.

Advert
Catherine went on to work on Cancer Research-funded projects. Credit: Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group
Catherine went on to work on Cancer Research-funded projects. Credit: Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group

Looking back, she noted she was never offered the chance to freeze her eggs. She was given leaflets on infertility, but 'like a typical teenager', she didn't read them.

Thankfully her sister Joanna was more conscious at the time of what the treatment meant, so she sat Catherine down and said: "This will make you infertile, so if you ever want children I'll have some for you."

It wasn't until a decade later that Catherine took her sister up on the incredible offer, and Joanna was 'only too happy to help'.

Advert

The 30-year-old, who after finishing her PhD began working on Cancer Research UK-funded trials at the same hospital where she was treated as a child, explained: "I went with her to some of the fertility appointments. She said that egg donation is not painful but it does require appointments every two days for two weeks, and a large number of injections at precise timings."

Catherine is now 8 months pregnant. Credit: Pixabay
Catherine is now 8 months pregnant. Credit: Pixabay

After Joanna donated her eggs, Catherine became pregnant and is now expecting a baby boy.

"We're so grateful," the mum-to-be said. "Jo has been so casual about it, but it's a huge gift and it's brought the family closer. Everyone wants this baby.

Advert

"People ask: "Isn't it strange carrying your sister's biological baby?" but I couldn't care less that this little baby has slightly different DNA to me. I'm carrying him, I'll be giving birth to him and I'm his legal mother."

Joanna has said she is 'immensely proud' of her sister, and said that when she decides to become a mother herself she'll ask Catherine for tips on the job.

Topics: Health, Parenting, Life

Emily Brown
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

Entertainment

Rihanna shares plans for baby number three with A$AP Rocky

12 hours ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

Woman faces seven years in jail because she said tomato puree was too sweet

12 hours ago