Mother exchanges her life for her unborn child in bittersweet act of love

'She sacrificed everything so her legacy could live on.'

Thirty-eight-year-old Cara Combs was 23-weeks-pregnant when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. After considering her options, Combs decided the health of her unborn child took precedence above her own.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Combs decided to delay immunotherapy for five weeks, which would have allowed her to deliver her child at 28 weeks.

Combs' oncologist advised against the decision, but she refused to give in. On Saturday, December 5, Combs underwent a c-section and delivered Shaylin "Shay" Combs. Shay arrived at 2.1 pounds and was able to breath on her own that same night.

Following the birth, immunotherapy was scheduled to begin two days later. However, following the birth, Combs fought to survive for three days before succumbing to the Stage 4 Melanoma.

Her husband, Roy, created a GoFundMe page prior to his wife's death, where he wrote:
"Cara Combs, who is a wife, sister, daughter and mother of 3 wonderful children was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma. She is also 26 weeks pregnant.

"At this time she will wait to begin treatment until the baby is 28 weeks. There is no good decision here and they are both fighting for their lives. At 38 you don't expect to find out that you are dying.

"It has definitely put things into perspective for the family. The baby will be born in early December and she will start her treatment 48 hours later. The family will have many battles to fight at this time. 

"We have decided to set up a GoFundMe account so that the family can continue to provide as much normalcy to the kids as possible during this difficult time. We appreciate everyone's love and support."

"I wanted to let everyone know that we lost Cara Walters Combs this morning. I don't have to tell you how great of a person she was. She will be missed by all.

"I always knew she was destined for greater things. We all have a perfect angel looking over us. She was the strongest person I ever met and the best wife and mother.

"She sacrificed everything so her legacy could live on. Thank you all for your support and prayers. She was my everything and always will be."

Two days before Shay's birth, the Combs family took family pictures by family friend Emily Lucarz, who posted the images to her Facebook page. The GoFundMe and Facebook pages received several supportive comments after Cara passed.

Lucarz wrote a personal message for her friend on the Facebook album, which read: "Heaven gained a new Angel this morning. Cara was an amazing wife, mother, daughter and sister. She sacrificed everything so her new little one could live on.

"She was truly an amazing person and mother. Many prayers and hugs for her family during this difficult time, and continued prayers for baby Shaylin (who is doing well, thanks to Cara)."

Combs' diagnosis came as a surprise to the entire family, particularly because she was checked by a dermatologist one year before the discovery of her illness.

Fox 2 Now reported a message Cara wrote on Facebook following her diagnosis.

"I feel it's time to post this because I know a lot of information is going around. Last week I was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma. I am also 25 weeks pregnant. I can't begin treatment while pregnant so I have some tough decisions to make.

"Against the advice of my oncologist, I am choosing to delay my treatment for three weeks in order to get the baby to 28 weeks. There is no good decision here. We will both be fighting for our lives and I feel incredibly guiltily about that. I saw a dermatologist last year and she didn't find anything concerning. 

"Even my oncologist can't find the source. At 38 you don't expect to find out that you are dying. It definitely puts things into perspective. All I can say is enjoy every minute with your kids and don't stress about little things. The baby will probably be born the first week of December and I will start treatment 48 hours later.

"I know we are in for some big upcoming battles. Thank you for all of the support we have received so far. It is very much appreciated!"

As of Thursday afternoon, the Combs family's GoFundMe page has raised over $54,000 and has received several heartwarming comments of support. 

Meanwhile, doctors are still uncertain how the cancer spread so extensively in such a short amount of time.

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