Newborn With Inoperable Brain Tumor Has ‘Surpassed Every Expectation’ (Photos)

At just one month old, baby Abigail is showing the world her perseverance. Against all the odds that come with an inoperable brain tumor, she’s still here. And while her story probably won’t have a happy ending, her parents are demonstrating incredible strength.

“[Abigail] has blown us away and surpassed every expectation. God has blessed us with countless precious moments that we did not think we would have,” mom Erika Jones writes on the blog of her newborn photographer, 8.08 Photography.

At 18 weeks into her pregnancy, Erika and her husband, Stephen, found out their baby — their second child — had Down syndrome. Their initial shock and sadness quickly faded away. “We were soon excited and honored to have a child with special needs,” Erika says.

But at the 30 week ultrasound, more bad news: A mass had developed on the left hemisphere of Abigail’s brain.

“A fetal MRI revealed the mass was a rare tumor, most likely a type of cancerous teratoma, that was replacing her brain tissue and destroying normal brain anatomy. Our hearts were broken and our minds weighted with questions and fear of the unknown to come,” Erika says. “Additional ultrasounds over the following weeks showed significant growth and our appointments with neurosurgery and other specialists determined that the prognosis was bleak. Her head grew to a size that made a vaginal birth too risky and c-section was scheduled.”

She was sick, yes. But Abigail was feisty, arriving six days before the planned delivery date via emergency c-section.

“Our expectation was that we wouldn’t have much time with Abigail after she was born, but our hearts leapt with joy when a beautiful pink baby girl came out screaming (and pooping!). She is moving, nursing, squawking, sticking out her tongue, opening her eyes, holding our fingers, and doing all things a baby does.”

MRIs show the cancerous tumor is too aggressive and invasive for treatment; the necessary chemo treatment would likely kill a newborn. And the tumor would grow back too quickly after removal.

The family has opted for pediatric hospice, and you can catch a glimpse of their precious time together below. “We have smothered this little one with love and kisses and will continue to do so every moment we get,” says Erika.