A Chicago Woman’s Shocking Medical Discovery: A Tumor the Size of a Grapefruit
A Chicago woman was just weeks away from giving birth when a nagging cough led to a shocking medical discovery.
‘They would be so severe that I would become winded and nauseous to the point of vomiting’
MaKenna Lauterbach, then 26 years old, began experiencing severe coughing fits in the last three months of her pregnancy. She also noticed shortness of breath while tending to her horses and goats. "I give hay to the horses every morning and noticed how winded I was becoming with a dry cough," she said.
Doctors Dismissed Her Symptoms
Some doctors dismissed Lauterbach’s symptoms, repeatedly telling her, "It’s because you are pregnant." However, when the coughing led to vomiting, doctors performed scans and detected a large, grapefruit-sized tumor in her middle chest cavity and right lung, which was completely blocking the artery to the right lung.
The Tumor’s Impact on Her Pregnancy and Health
The tumor had put Lauterbach, and her baby, into respiratory distress. She was flown to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where a large medical team was waiting for her. "MaKenna was in real trouble, and we had to act quickly – this wasn’t something that could wait for Monday morning," said Lynn Yee, M.D., maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Northwestern Medicine.
Delivering a Healthy Baby Boy
The team performed an emergency cesarean section, and on Easter Sunday, a healthy baby boy, Colter, was born. After the delivery, it was time to address the tumor.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Doctors performed a biopsy and diagnosed Lauterbach with stage 3 melanoma. The doctors believe she may have had a melanoma on her skin at some point, and that "a cell or two escaped" and began growing inside her body. "It was truly blindsiding news," Lauterbach said.
Recovery and Prognosis
The team at Northwestern recommended that Lauterbach undergo three cycles of immunotherapy before surgery, which helped shrink her tumor by 30%. Dr. Lung and Dr. Mehta removed Lauterbach’s entire right lung, parts of the main pulmonary artery, and her lymph nodes. "Her outcome was very good. She has recovered from surgery almost entirely, and her main issue is shortness of breath, which is a consequence of only having one lung," Dr. Lung said.
A New Normal
Today, Colter Lauterbach is a thriving, happy baby boy. As for MaKenna, she is still healing, both emotionally and physically. "My lung capacity is getting close to ‘the new normal’ for me, and I’m finally starting to return to some sort of normal routine," she said.
Conclusion
MaKenna Lauterbach’s story is a testament to the importance of knowing your body and seeking medical attention when something is not right. Her case is a rare one, and her outcome is a blessing. As she continues to receive immunotherapy treatments and undergo regular scans, she is grateful for the support of her family and the medical team that saved her life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the symptoms of melanoma?
A: MaKenna Lauterbach’s symptoms included severe coughing fits, shortness of breath, and vomiting.
Q: How was MaKenna Lauterbach diagnosed with melanoma?
A: She was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma after a biopsy and scans revealed a large tumor in her middle chest cavity and right lung.
Q: What was the treatment plan for MaKenna Lauterbach?
A: She underwent three cycles of immunotherapy before surgery, which helped shrink the tumor by 30%. She then underwent surgery to remove her right lung, parts of the main pulmonary artery, and her lymph nodes.
Q: What is MaKenna Lauterbach’s current prognosis?
A: Her cancer is currently considered stable, with no new tumors appearing. She will continue to receive immunotherapy treatments for one year and undergo regular scans to ensure the cancer doesn’t return.
