'We definitely believe in miracles': Pregnant woman waived cancer treatment to protect her unborn son

'We're praying a lot and trusting God through these next few weeks to keep these scans clean.'

Kim Vaillancourt was five months pregnant when she, her husband Phil and their two children welcomed three sisters into their family. 

Two days later, the family was set to celebrate Christmas but instead of a family meal and presents, Kim was diagnosed with brain cancer.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Vaillancourt believed the headaches and nausea she was experiencing was the result of her pregnancy, but when she went for a checkup, doctors discovered two tumors - one at the front of her brain and one near her brain stem.

Doctors diagnosed her with glioblastoma and told the Vaillancourts the only methods of treatment were surgical removal of the growing tumors and radiation therapy. 

Though she was told the tumors could reappear within six weeks after removal if she didn't follow up with radiation treatment, Vaillancourt refused the therapy.

"The baby gave me a chance," Kim told WGRZ. "Now it's my turn to save him."

Phil Vaillancourt explained Kim never would have gone to the hospital in the first place had she not been pregnant. "If it wasn't for the baby, she probably would've never gone to the hospital. ... We definitely feel that God put that baby in her for a reason; pretty much to save her life."

Kim had the tumors removed but her doctor, Dr. Ajay Abad, explained, "In some cases we'll see the tumor grow back in the span of 8 to 12 weeks. It is sort of a race against time."

With five children and a fifth on the way, Kim knew she couldn't chance the health of her unborn child.

I don't want to leave [Phil] with six kids and one of them being super sick," she explained. "He's trying to take care of so many kids, so whatever I can do, I'm going to do it."

While his wife struggled with her health through the pregnancy, Phil worked full-time, cared for the kids - all of whom are homeschooled - payed the bills with his pay as a senior maintenance worker in Tonawanda's wastewater treatment plant and also cared for Kim.

"I've never seen anybody better," Kim beamed. "He has not left my side. He's helped me with stuff that men don't do. He doesn't leave me. He's with me all the time."

Kim was prepared to carry her child to full term, then turn to radiation therapy, but her unborn son had other plans.

Little Wyatt Eli, meaning "little warrior sent by God," was born on Friday, April 8. He was six weeks premature and weighed 4-pounds-7-ounces. Wyatt was 17.5 inches long and, most importantly, was born absolutely healthy.

Kim is also reportedly healthy and plans to start radiation therapy as soon as possible.

Family friend Jenna Koch planned a benefit for the Vaillancourts. It will be held on Sunday, April 24 and will include a Euchre tournament. The tournament is in honor of Kim's high school's most popular activity.

Koch also started a GoFundMe account for the family to help cover existing and upcoming expenses. Of the $175k goal, over $150 thousand dollars have been raised in the past three months. Please click here if you would like to help with a donation.

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