Skip to main content
Image relating to Leah pays tribute to Neurosurgery team after beating brain tumour to give birth to 'miracle' baby

Leah pays tribute to Neurosurgery team after beating brain tumour to give birth to 'miracle' baby

A bereavement midwife who was at risk of becoming infertile when she underwent chemotherapy for a brain tumour has given birth to her ‘miracle’ baby.

Leah Fox and husband Andrew are proud parents of little Clara, who came into the world weighing 8lb 10oz on 9th June.

Clara was conceived naturally despite Leah having her embryos frozen in 2021 at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine at University Hospital, Coventry.

She had been referred by the Neurosurgery team at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust.

Delighted Leah said: “We are over the moon, she is so cute and our miracle baby! I cannot thank the team at UHCW enough.

“They understood what it is like to be a patient, facing life-changing surgery, possibly losing the opportunity to consider having my own family as chemotherapy can sometimes effect the ovaries.”

In December 2021 Leah underwent one of the most complex brain operations ever carried out at UHCW.

She had an awake craniotomy which involves temporarily removing part of the skull so surgeons can access the brain and remove as much of the tumour as possible.

Leah was kept awake as this allows surgeons to test regions of the brain before they are incised or removed and to also test her functions throughout.

Her physical symptoms to that point had been limited, but they took a turn for the worse a few weeks beforehand when the couple were honeymooning in Barbados.

“I had had my first ever tonic clonic seizure during my sleep and woke up to paramedics,” added Leah.

“I was taken to hospital and they wanted to see my records. I called UHCW on my mobile and asked to be put through to the on-call neurosurgery staff. Dr Cuthbert spoke at great length with the doctors in Barbados.

“When he came in to conduct a final assessment as I had my surgery, we laughed about the treatment he helped the Barbados team to give to me.”

After the operation came six weeks of radiotherapy and six months of chemotherapy, but a review last June showed no growth and no changes to the brain.

Leah was then able to say her own thank you by nominating the Neurosurgery team for the Trust’s Outstanding Service and Care Awards (OSCAs) – her incredible tale seeing them crowned winners of the Compassion in Action category.

“The treatment I have received since the team took over my care is incredible,” added Leah, who works at George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton.

“It takes them all lots of drive, courage and compassion to continue to give amazing care to people each and every day.”

Entries for the 2023 OSCAs are now open. To recognise the great work of UHCW staff, submit your entry by clicking here.


Share this story



Latest stories


Back