Every mother dreams of the incredible person her child will grow up to be. From the time they first kick below mommy’s heart, to the years that flash before our eyes, being a mother is an indescribable journey of hopes, dreams and cherishing every moment God gives you.
For Sara Chivers, motherhood is more than just collecting treasured moments, it’s a fight for her life, and now that of her 18-month-old son, Alfie.
Tess Follett Photography
In March, the 34-year-old mother of two was told she has terminal brain cancer. She had previously fought and beat cancer in 2008, but it has since returned in the form of three brain tumors.
As if that pill wasn’t hard enough to swallow, last month, Sara and her husband, Leigh, were told that their 18-month-old son, Alfie, had also been diagnosed with brain cancer.
“Since his diagnosis, we have been in absolute shock and disbelief,” Sara told TODAY. “There are no words that do justice to the way in which our hearts have been shattered for our beautiful little boy. He should not have to go through this pain and suffering.”
Sara and Alfie have different forms of cancer, and doctors believe the cases are completely unrelated. In fact, an oncologist told her there was a better chance of winning the lottery than a mother and child developing different types of brain cancer.
Since March, Sara has undergone three rounds of chemotherapy and surgery to remove most of her largest tumor. Though the treatments have bought her more time with Alfie and his 3-year-old brother, Hugh, it isn’t enough for her to be able to “mother them like I always dreamed,” she said.
“Alfie’s diagnosis has given me something else to fight for,” she continues. “It’s not about me anymore. It’s all about him.”
Knowing that her time with them is shorter than she can bear, Sara recently wrote a love letter to her sons. Full of motherly advice and sound words of wisdom, Sara’s letter has since been shared across the Internet.