Sixteen year old, Jennifer Lake was a student at Pocatello High School, Idaho, the moment she first began to get severe headaches which came out of nowhere Jennifer knew that something didn’t feel right so she decided to see her doctor for a check up.
After being referred for an MRI Jennifer soon discovered she had a tumor on her brain. The news had a devastating impact on the young teenager. Naturally she had always believed her life was ahead without ever considering she would have to face a disease.
Doctors told her that the tumor was roughly two centimeters wide, however once they ran further tests they realised it was far worse than expected. Unfortunately the cancer had spread to other parts of her body.
Jennifer’s chance of survival was slim even if she went through chemotherapy, the treatments would also make her sterile which meant she would never be a mother.
”Jenni just flat out asked them if she was going to die,” said her father, Mike Lake, a truck driver from Rexburg, north of Pocatello.
‘We were told that she couldn’t get pregnant, so we didn’t worry about it,’ her boyfriend Nathan, 19, said.
The couple were surprised when Jennifer discovered she was expecting a baby. Jennifer’s biggest wish was to become a mother one day.
However she now had a tough decision to make to save either her or the unborn baby. She decided to proceed with the pregnancy and ceased any chemo treatment.
Despite putting her life at risk, Jennifer decided to follow her heart and have the baby. Baby Chad Michael was welcomed into the world a few months later.
Jennifer’s mom, Diana Phillips, recalled the day of her grandchild’s birth and said how her daughter grabbed the midwife’s hand and whispered: “I’m done, I did what I was supposed to. My baby is going to get here safe!”
Jennifer was discharged from the hospital six days after his birth but once she reached home she passed away with Chad in her arms.
Jennifer was delighted that she give birth and was able to kiss her baby. She made the ultimate sacrifice for her child.
Jennifer’s family make sure that Chad knows how much his mother loved him. Her story has touched the hearts of many since she left this world.
There is a Facebook page dedicated to Jennifer’s life and journey where people pay still tribute to her sacrifice.
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