For Elizabeth Joice, 36, bringing a new being into this world was well worth the ultimate price: her own life. The Montclair, New Jersey native died of cancer on March 9th, approximately six weeks after giving birth to her first child with her husband of nearly four years, Max Joice.
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The new mom had been battling cancer on-and-off since September 2010, when doctors found a sarcoma in her lungs. At the behest of her then-boyfriend Max, she decided to fight the cancer with all her might, undergoing surgery and over five rounds of chemotherapy. The couple was wed in late 2010 and, together, they vowed to triumph over cancer — and, for a while, it seemed they had accomplished their mission. For three years, Elizabeth's cancer remained in remission, and so she began to seriously consider having a child. Doctors, however, warned that it would be nearly impossible for her to conceive. Still, Elizabeth remained positive about her motherhood dreams and, shortly after moving to Roosevelt Island in New York in June 2013, something miraculous happened: she learned that, against all odds, she was with child.
But the good news was hampered by a new revelation — a month after confirming her pregnancy, doctors discovered that Elizabeth's tumor had returned. At that point, Elizabeth had a tough decision to make: either terminate her pregnancy and undergo the necessary treatment, or delay her treatment until after childbirth, potentially endangering her own lie in the process. She chose to keep her precious baby and forged ahead with the pregnancy — even though it meant being unable to undergo the full-body MRI scans that would reveal whether her cancer was becoming more aggressive.
In January, she underwent an emergency C-section and welcomed her daughter, Lily Anne Joice, into the world.
Sadly, as one life began, another one came to its end. Less than a week after delivering her baby girl, Elizabeth's health declined drastically as the cancer spread to her right lung, heart, and abdomen. Wanting desperately to live, to see her daughter grow up and experience motherhood for as long as possible, Elizabeth fought to survive. But, unfortunately, cancer ultimately took the life of this courageous woman.
Grieving over the loss of his wife, Elizabeth's husband Max has shared her inspiring story with the world. The family's experiences — and Elizabeth's spirit of perseverance — are captured in a soon-to-be-released documentary called 40 Weeks, directed by Christopher Henze.
We can all learn something from Elizabeth, a woman who literally gave her own life to experience motherhood — even if just for a few fleeting moments.
Image via Joice family
