After being diagnosed with cervical carcinoma, a mother had to end her pregnancy and her best friend offered her the surrogate position. She welcomed her baby boy.
Lorna Cattle (35), a woman from Chichester in Sussex was shocked to learn that she had cervical cancer. She made the difficult decision to end her pregnancy.
Before being declared cancer-free in November 2017, she underwent months worth of intense radiotherapy, chemotherapy and a hysterectomy.
Lorna (40-year-old HR professional) and Dan (44) had been looking into fertility treatment options when Steph Stretton (36) offered to act as their surrogate.
Steph became pregnant following the transfer a frozen embryo. Joshua was born a month before her due date in September 2021.
Lorna Cattle, 35, (right) from Chichester, Sussex, welcomed son Joshua after her best friend Steph Stretton, 36 (left), offered to be her surrogate
Lorna, who was diagnosed with cervical carcinoma in her right cervix, had to have an abortion and go through grueling treatments. Photo: Lorna and Steph, a pregnant Steph
Lorna and her husband Dan, 40, pictured with their son, Joshua, began to consider fertility treatments after Lorna was given the all clear
Lorna stated that she was between six and eight weeks pregnant when I was first diagnosed. Then, we needed to determine if it was viable.
“We were married this summer, and we had always planned to start a family. This was a terrible decision that we had to make.
“But, we were informed that if I did not stop, neither the baby nor I would live.”
“I am a positive person who never lost hope in becoming a mother.
Lorna, who was 6-8 weeks pregnant at the time of her diagnosis with cancer, had to give up on plans with Dan to start their family. Left to right: Steph, Joshua, and Dan
Lorna stated that she could not be happier when Steph offered to become her surrogate one year after her initial visit to the fertility doctors. Baby Joshua
Lorna said that it was a’mazing’ experience to be a mother and is extremely grateful for Joshua (pictured with her) in her life.
We first visited fertility doctors in 2019 and discussed our options. In 2020 Steph offered to be our surrogate. I could not have been happier.
“I have no words to describe the profound gratitude and admiration I feel for her.
“Being a mom is amazing; Joshua is an incredible person and I am so grateful for him.
Lorna and Dan were married in Italy in the summer 2016; they planned to have a child later that year.
Lorna was diagnosed with cancer in October and the couple were left wondering if it would make sense to have children.
Lorna said, “When I was in treatment, I was focusing only on getting well and didn’t want any other worries so plans to have children were put on hold while I recuperated.”
Lorna stated that Dan and she put off their plans to become parents. Lorna, however, remained focused on her recovery from cancer.
Lorna was left unable to carry a child after having an ovarian transposition and losing her cervix. Pictured: Lorna, with her best friend Steph
Lorna stated that she was certain Dan and Lorna would be able to have children through surrogacy or adoption. Pictured are Lorna with Dan, and Joshua.
“I was unable to have a baby because of an ovarian transplant and my cervix had been removed.
“But I was certain that one day we’d have children, regardless of whether it be via adoption or surrogacy.
“We have frozen embryos since December 2020. We did the first transfer on February 20, 2021.
“I didn’t expect a friend would come forward to offer that to me.
Lorna frozen the embryos December 2020, and they were transferred to Steph in February 2021. From left to right: Steph, Lorna and Dan
Lorna said Joshua came out perfect despite the stress of Steph developing preeclampsia in the lead up to his birth. Picture: Lorna with Dan and Joshua
Joshua (pictured), who weighed 5lb at birth, has just turned 16-weeks-old and now weighs 14lb
Lorna stated that Steph was one of her close friends. She will see Joshua even though she lives far from Cheshire. Pictured with Joshua: Lorna, Dan
Lorna (pictured), has urged all women to get their annual smear testing. Lorna stated that she would rather have five minutes of embarrassment instead of months of treatment.
“It was difficult leading up to my son’s birth because Stephanie suffered from preeclampsia. However, he turned out perfectly.”
Joshua, who was 5lb at his birth, now weighs in at 14lb.
Lorna has plans for Steph to be in Joshua’s future.
She explained that Steph lives in Cheshire and is far from us. But, she’s still one my best friends. We see her whenever we can.
“I encourage women to have their annual smear test and seek out answers when they aren’t feeling right.
I’d prefer five minutes embarrassment to months of treatment.