MaKenna Lauterbach, a 26-year-old from Washburn, Illinois, was weeks away from giving birth when severe coughing fits revealed a life-threatening condition, reported by CBS News. What began as shortness of breath and coughing while tending to her farm animals escalated into a diagnosis that would change her life forever.
“They would be so severe that I would become winded and nauseous to the point of vomiting,” Lauterbach shared with Fox News Digital. Initially dismissed by doctors as pregnancy-related, her symptoms worsened until a scan uncovered a grapefruit-sized tumor in her chest and right lung, obstructing a major artery.
Specialists at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago acted swiftly, recognizing the urgency of her condition. “When you’re pregnant with a baby that’s nearly full term, your lungs already aren’t functioning at full capacity,” explained maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Lynn Yee. The tumor had placed both Lauterbach and her baby in respiratory distress.
On Easter Sunday, doctors performed an emergency cesarean section, safely delivering her son, Colter. “The NICU nurses took such wonderful care of our son,” Lauterbach said, reflecting on the chaotic yet miraculous delivery. With her baby stable, the focus shifted to her own health.
Further testing revealed the tumor was stage 3 melanoma, likely originating from an escaped skin cell. Lauterbach underwent three cycles of immunotherapy, shrinking the tumor by 30% before surgeons removed her entire right lung, parts of her pulmonary artery, and lymph nodes. The high-risk procedure, led by Dr. Kalvin Lung and Dr. Chris Mehta, was successful.
“We were concerned that we might not be able to remove the tumor completely,” Dr. Lung said. However, the surgery exceeded expectations, and Lauterbach’s latest scans show no evidence of metastatic melanoma. “Her outcome was very good,” Dr. Lung added, noting that her main challenge now is adjusting to life with one lung.
Lauterbach, now 27, is focused on healing while cherishing life with her husband Parker and their thriving son. She continues immunotherapy treatments and remains vigilant with regular scans.
For others, Lauterbach stresses the importance of trusting their instincts: “If you know something isn’t right, don’t take ‘I don’t know’ for an answer. Find someone who will take your concerns seriously.”
As she prepares to celebrate her son’s first Christmas on the farm, Lauterbach reflects on her journey with gratitude and determination, drawing strength from her family and a renewed lease on life.