Pregnancy is often difficult, but pregnancy combined with cancer treatment is devastating. Then-24-year-old Latvian-born Canadian model Elizaveta Bulokhova was faced with this situation in 2014. While vacationing in Amsterdam with her husband, Roman Troubetskoi, what Bulokhova thought was a toothache turned out to be bone cancer. The doctors told her the photo model would need to have an abortion before chemotherapy.
"He was very active and I would talk to him often while he was in my womb," Bulokhova told Vice of her then-unborn son. "I had to tell my baby boy to stop moving because I couldn't keep him and then all of a sudden he did. He listened; he stopped moving." In another interview with Daily Mail, she added, "I just told myself whatever the universe has in store for me I will accept it. If my baby is meant to be born, he will be born."
Luckily, various delays presented the cancer patient with an unexpected third option: the possibility of a Caesarian section. After consulting with doctors, baby Valentin was safely delivered 10 weeks early. Bulokhova had 95% of her jaw removed, underwent chemotherapy, and is now recovering. The brave cancer survivor recently modeled for a Vice article that told her story. You can support cancer research and prevention through the Canadian Cancer Society.
Model Elizaveta Bulokhova was suddenly diagnosed with jaw cancer when she was 24
The doctors told her that she would need surgery to remove the infected bone
She would also have to undergo chemotherapy
Bulokhova had gotten pregnant with husband Roman Troubetskoi, and the doctors recommended an abortion
"He was very active and I would talk to him often while he was in my womb"
"I had to tell him to stop moving because I couldn't keep him and then all of a sudden he did. He listened; he stopped moving"
At the last minute, through a miracle, Bulokhova was given the option of having a c-section
Her son Valentin was safely born 10 weeks early
"I just told myself whatever the universe has in store for me I will accept it"
"If my baby is meant to be born, he will be born"
This photo-shoot is from her most recent modelling session
Photo credits & Copyright: Manolo Studios (Photographer: Manolo Ceron, Makeup Artist: Julia Stone)