‘It wasn’t PCOS, it was much worse’

Lauren Wilkin thought her polycystic ovaries were stopping her from falling pregnant. But then tests revealed the horrifying truth.

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer diagnosed in Australian women. Image: Supplied

Being a mum is all 30-year-old Lauren Wilkin has ever wanted.

“I knew I was born to be a mum for as long as I can remember,” she told Kidspot.

“My husband and I have been trying to have a baby for so long. All I want to do is to be a mum and look after my family. I wanted that white picket fence,” she explained.

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After seeking the help of a gynaecologist and losing over 28kg to help fall pregnant, Lauren was scheduled for a hysteroscopy and a D & C last month to check her reproductive organs.

THAT’S WHEN THE DEVASTATING NEWS WAS DELIVERED

Lauren was diagnosed with endometrial cancer, requiring an urgent hysterectomy.

“I have PCOCs (polycystic ovary syndrome), so I hadn’t had a period in over two years. We were trying to find out if there were any blockages.

“When my doctor called me wanting to see me, I figured it was just my blood sugar levels. They made an appointment for me, which was a little weird, but I still thought nothing of it.

“I walked into the doctors a little embarrassed, expecting her to tell me my blood sugars were up. That’s when she told me the pathology from the surgery had come back, and that I had endometrial cancer.

Lauren was desperate to become a mother. Picture: Supplied

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‘I THOUGHT SHE WAS JOKING’

“Then she looked at me and repeated: ‘Lauren, you have endometrial cancer. We need to take your uterus’.

“I remember telling her she couldn’t take it because I needed that to have babies. She just said she was sorry, but that’s what needed to happen if I was going to survive the cancer.”

A million things raced through Lauren’s mind. Cancer. Hysterectomy. Treatments. Radiation. Not carrying a baby. Never being a mum. No white picket fence.

“I started crying hysterically and went into the hall to call my mum,” she said.

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‘I COULDN’T BREATHE’

“I ended up calming down enough to drive home, but in all honesty, I don’t remember that drive home. It was all a blur.”

Lauren left the doctors with a broken heart and a CT scan referral. But after 24 hours of grieving, she and husband Adam came up with a plan: She wasn’t going to let them take her uterus until she’d had a chance to harvest and develop her eggs. That way, through surrogacy, she at least had a chance at having a biological baby.

“There’s no guarantee a viable pregnancy will come from my eggs, but it at least gives us the chance to try,” she said. “This is so important to me. Not trying just isn’t an option.”

While scared for his wife and their future, Adam is supportive of his wife's plans.

“I don’t really know how to feel,” he said.

“All I know is my wife and I would make great parents, and if we don’t at least try, we will always ask: what if?

“Having kids would mean the world to me. And there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Lauren to make her happy.”

Unfortunately, the surgery can cost up to $12k — and Lauren and Adam only have mere weeks to accumulate the impossible amount.

That’s why Lauren’s foster sister, Jade Waterson, started an online fundraiser for the devastated pair. Jade even offered to carry their child for them; an act that means the absolute world to Lauren.

“Jade told me everything was going to be OK. She said her womb was ready, and we can do this,” Lauren said.

'We need to take your uterus.' Picture: Supplied

‘SHE SAID IT WAS A GIFT SHE’D BE HONOURED TO GIVE ME’

Having known each other for more than 20 years, Jade and Lauren have an impenetrable bond.

“My heart stopped when I found out,” Jade told Kidspot. “It was hard to breathe at the thought of my sister not being able to have a family while battling cancer at the same time.

“I’d give my life for Lauren. I have five beautiful kids and she has supported me and been there for me and the kids from the beginning. She is my other half — and the strongest, most selfless woman I know.”

“When I asked her if I could make the fundraiser, she initially said no — because she felt as though her cause was undeserving compared to other people’s causes. If that doesn’t show what a beautiful person this woman is, I don’t know what will.”

You can help Lauren and Adam by donating here, or by sharing their story. The pair plans to donate all excess funds to genealogical cancer research.

Adam just wanted what was best for his wife. Picture: Supplied

“This is a big battle, but I will stand with her every step of the way and would love to help her have her own family.”

But it’s a race against the clock — the sooner they can raise the funds to secure Lauren’s eggs, the sooner she can have a hysterectomy and begin radiation therapy to battle — and find out more about — the insidious cancer.

“I’m scared,” Lauren admitted. “I’m so scared. I’m running out of time, and I feel so overwhelmed.”

“This really is our last hope.”

— Zoe Simmons is a freelance writer for Kidspot

This article originally appeared on Kidspot.com.au and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as ‘It wasn’t PCOS, it was much worse’