Brisbane mum Alena Soulsby’s ultimate sacrifice after losing her cancer battle
Alena Soulsby made the ultimate sacrifice for her newborn baby when she turned down pain medication for terminal cancer to breastfeed her little girl right to the end. Here is her amazing story. WATCH THE VIDEO
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All her life Alena Soulsby dreamt of being a mother, but her plans for 10 children and even more grandchildren were cut short when she lost her battle with stage four cervical cancer 41 days ago.
On March 27, and aged just 34, the mum of four was surrounded by her loving family when she drew her last breath.
She leaves behind her husband of 14 years Rob Soulsby and their four children Anna, six months, Jacob, 8, Elizabeth, 10, and Lukas 12.
Affectionately known as Lena, Mrs Soulsby will be remembered for her motherly love, inner strength, natural beauty and making the ultimate sacrifice for her newborn daughter.
In a courageous and selfless act Lena turned down medication and endured agonising pain to breastfeed until her final days.
“The pain got really bad when she had radiation treatment on her pelvis and then for a spot on her head,” Mr Soulsby said.
“She was in agony, always screaming and crying. She couldn’t even walk out the front door.” “But she still wouldn’t take the stronger medication. No matter how bad it got she insisted on breastfeeding baby Anna until the end.”
“It doesn’t get much closer or more loving than breastfeeding. It’s a special mum and bub connection.”
Mr Suolsby said he even now he still can’t believe how strong she was to turn down stronger medication.
“I don’t think I could have done it,” he said.
On March 24, Lena was moved into palliative care, she could no longer breastfeed. Three days later she passed away in her sleep.
“Me, her mum, and all four of the kids were there.”
“I’ll never forget it...we were holding her hand, hugging her and kissing her everywhere through tears while she took her last breath.”
It was back on Christmas Eve when Rob rushed Lena to the hospital and they received the gut wrenching news she had only months to live.
“I don’t think I’ve stopped crying since that day.”
“We just couldn’t believe it. How could this beautiful dedicated strong mother with a newborn baby only have six months to live?
Lena grew up in Germany where she fell in love with children while babysitting. She was in Western Australia working as an Au Pair when she met Rob, and soon later they were welcoming their first child into the world.
“I still remember being there with her when she did the test and we realised we were having our first baby,” he said.
“She was over the moon with excitement. Her dream of being a mother was coming true. I remember her saying one is a good start but I want 10.”
She home schooled their three eldest children at their home in Kangaroo Point, cooked every meal from scratch, and was heavily involved at their local church.
“I’m doing my best but it’s just not the same without her,” he said.
“Luckily I’m on compassionate leave at work and will be for a bit longer but it’s tough.
“It’s not something I’d normally do but I did start a GoFundMe page so that hopefully I can return to work on more flexible hours so I can be there for the kids a bit more.”
The community has wrapped the family up in love and already raised more than $20k.
For their first Mother’s Day without their beloved Lena, Rob and his four kids have plans to attend a church service.
“It’s what we do every year. Normally Lena is heavily involved but this time it’s just us,” he said.
“My daughter came home from school today with a Mother’s Day she made for her so I’m sure there’ll be a bit of that too.
“It’s going to be hard but we’ll never stop loving her. She’s the best mum in the world.”
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