Seventeen-year-old Jenni Lake had a difficult decision: Battle brain cancer or forgo chemotherapy in order to save the life of her unborn child. The Pocatello, Idaho, teen chose the latter and died of the disease just two weeks after her son was born, according to affiliate KIFI.
Lake, who gave birth November 9, opted to end her chemo once she learned of her pregnancy. Without the treatment, the cancer grew. She died November 22, a little more than a year after her cancer fight began. Doctors had diagnosed her with Grade 3 brain cancer in October 2010 and gave her only two years to live.
Lake’s newborn is being raised by her boyfriend, with the help of her family. In an emotional interview, Lake’s mother said she wished she could tell her daughter how much she loved her.
“I want Jenni here to take care of him,” Diana Phillips said.
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