Amy thought she had a common pregnancy side effect, but she needs urgent life-saving treatmentNeil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)09:19, 09 Jul 2026A mum had to give birth to her baby nine weeks early so she could begin urgent treatment. Amy Carroll, 34, was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at the start of her fourth pregnancy so put her fainting down to the condition.‌But when she had a seizure in bed next to her partner Torrin Sirus, 36, she was rushed to hospital at 3am on June 17. Two days later, after a CT and MRI scan, doctors confirmed Amy had stage four brain cancer with seven masses on her brain.‌Doctors at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford later verified it was a secondary cancer to the breast cancer she overcame in 2021. Treatment is so urgent Amy had to have an emergency c-section on Monday, when she was almost 31 weeks pregnant.‌Arlo Atlas Sirus was born weighing 4lb 2oz and is currently "doing well for his size". But Amy says she doesn't think she will be able to hold her son while she undergoes chemotherapy as he will be so small and she will be exhausted from the treatment.‌Amy, a support worker and mindset coach, from Great Addington, Northamptonshire, said: “I was taken down to the theatre at 11:11 on Monday morning. I had him, then I had a seizure after so I cannot remember much of the birth.“Arlo is still on oxygen, and they have done an X-ray on his lungs, which are cloudy, but the nurses say he is doing really well for his size. He is down in the high dependency intensive care ward alongside six other babies.“I obviously can’t breastfeed so he is on donor breast milk, but he has gone from 8.8mg to 7.6mg of milk, so he takes after his dad with a love of food. He is so cute, whenever I see Arlo every worry goes away, I forget I’ve had a c-section and that I’ve got the tumours.”‌Amy is now preparing herself for her first round of radiotherapy on July 15. She said: “This pregnancy saved my life because I didn’t realise I was ill. After my breast cancer treatment, I was told I could never have kids so this baby is a miracle.‌“At the start of my pregnancy, I started to feel unwell and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes for the first time ever. I was feeling a bit dizzy and faint but thought it was a side effect of the diabetes and tried to shake it off. Then my partner woke up to me having a seizure and an ambulance rushed me to hospital, I don’t remember any of that.“Within a couple of days, they told me the cancer had come back and there were seven masses on my brain.”The mum-of-four discovered she had breast cancer in 2021 after getting cosmetic surgery on her breasts following breastfeeding. She said: “I had my boys quite young and my boobs looked different, so I went and had breast surgery.‌“That was when I noticed the little lump that turned out to be breast cancer. I ended up having chemotherapy, radiotherapy and eight different surgeries. I’m past the point of caring what my boobs look like now but that cosmetic surgery saved my life as I wouldn't have known I had cancer then.”‌Although Arlo is here safely, Amy is worried she won't be able to hold him. Last time Amy has chemotherapy, she said that she couldn't hold her boys then. She said: “When I start treatment, I won’t be able to be with the baby all the time which is going to break me, I’ve got to see how I am after each treatment.“When I do have chemotherapy, I won't be able to touch him at all, which will be so hard. When I had chemotherapy before I couldn't touch my kids. I was so tired and exhausted from it, and I know I will be again this time."The doctors haven't told me what type of chemotherapy I am going to have yet, as they are getting the radiotherapy done first and then reassessing the treatment plan."‌During treatment, Amy, who is a tattoo model, is worried about the side effects. She told Talk to the Press: “There are so many potential complications after these surgeries, including memory loss, balance issues, loss of eyesight, inability to talk. I just don't want to forget my life and my kids, I just don’t want to lose that.”Article continues belowAmy has three other boys, aged 18, 12 and eight, who haven't been able to visit her since their brother was born. Following her breast cancer recovery, Amy began fundraising for other people in similar situations and met countless friends through the process.One friend, Kirsty Wilkinson, set up a JustGiving to support Amy. Amy said: “When I beat cancer the first time, I started fundraising as it helped me and was good to help people. I wish I had this support when I was going through it the first time, as if you’ve got the right people and support then that helps you get up every morning.“I was so shocked and surprised when Kirsty set up my JustGiving. I’ve fundraised for others but never for myself before so I was taken aback, but it was so lovely and so thoughtful of her.”