Uncertain battle: WKRG News 5 family, new mom’s battle with cancer

MOBILE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — The world has flipped upside down for one WKRG News 5 family after doctors came into a 28-year-old, pregnant mom’s hospital room and said, “You have cancer.”

That’s what became the new reality for Madeleine Petite, the daughter of WKRG News 5’s assignment manager, Leon Petite .

Cancer Diagnosis

Madeleine Petite, described as a 28-year-old, non-smoking, healthy volleyball coach at Baldwin County schools was expecting her first child. Family members say they never could have seen what was to come.

“Of all the kids, she’s probably the most athletic, never gets sick, I didn’t see this coming,” Madeleine’s father, Leon, said.

All of a sudden, at 24 weeks pregnant Madeleine says she started to experience headaches and extreme fatigue.

“I went to the doctor one day, my OB was like we need to get you an MRI,” Madeleine said.

The result:

“She’s been diagnosed with primary lung cancer which metastasized which means it spread to other parts of the body and the most dangerous one we had in the beginning was to her brain,” Dr. Robert Gilbert said.

Although hard to hear, the family says it is not the first time that their world has flipped upside down.

Not the First Time

Leon Petite said this is not the first time that cancer has wreaked havoc on the Petite family. Years ago, Madeleine’s brother, Trey was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 15 months old.

And Leon himself was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

But both Trey and himself beat it. Leon questioned, “How could we be doing this again?”

‘Race Against Time’

The situation was a ‘race against time.’

According to Dr. Gilbert, “Her situation demanded that we treat her brain,” but the baby needed more time in the womb.

“It was a huge complication for us.”

Doctors put strict safety protocols in place to ensure Madeleine could receive radiation treatment, and — shortly after, Madeleine delivered a preterm but healthy baby boy.

She named him Harrison Crew.

“I got to touch him and be there… his eyes opened…it just takes your breath away,” Madeleine said.

Harrison was deemed healthy, but doctors say Madeline’s journey is all but finished.

Uncertain Battle

“This is a serious situation,” Dr. Gilbert said.

After giving birth, Madeleine Petite was placed on oral medication, and doctors say chemotherapy is set to begin in a few weeks.

Although she still has a long road ahead, Madeleine says she tries to look for the positive.

The positive in the community, including people she didn’t know coming to a prayer service outside her hospital room, and the positive in the support of her siblings, her mom, Jennifer Kelly, and her father, Leon Petite.

“Everything has been a blessing,” she said.

One of the things Madeleine says has gotten her through the struggle has been prayer. Her dad, Leon has been making prayer and devotion time with Madeleine every morning.

“The scripture says you will have trouble in this world, but I have overcome the world…” Leon said.

When asked how people could help her situation, Madeleine said she needed prayers.

“It’s holding onto faith.”

To help the Petite family through this uncertain time, visit Madeleine and Harrison’s GoFundMe page .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.