Watch CBS News

Alaskan Mom Comes To Colorado For Cancer Treatment

AURORA, Colo (CBS4) - A new mom from Alaska also has a new diagnosis of lung cancer.

Tabitha Morgan travels from her home in Alaska to Aurora every three weeks for cancer treatment. Morgan told CBS4 she feels the doctors at the University of Colorado Cancer Center give her the best shot of living long enough to raise her baby.

"I'm hoping to be able to breathe better and live a little bit longer to be a mom to my baby girl," Morgan told CBS4.

Morgan became a mom 18 months ago. Sophia Rose was born after seven years of the couple trying to conceive.

LUNG CANCER MOM
(Credit: Tabitha Morgan)

"She's our miracle baby," Morgan said.

But five months into motherhood, Morgan was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. At 35, Morgan is a non-smoker, so the diagnosis came as a shock. She underwent six months of promising treatments in Alaska, but since April her prognosis has been grim.

"I definitely feel like there's a war going on in my body. I hurt," she explained.

Morgan hopes that means that the experimental drug she's taking is working. Scans show that she is responding to the treatment.

She takes two flights to get to Colorado to be a part of a clinical trial for a drug that has shown a success rate of 60 to 70 percent.

Morgan and her husband Tim know there is no cure for this cancer, so right now they are fighting for time. They are hoping that an experimental drug offered thousands of miles away will give this new mom more precious moments with her miracle baby.

"I didn't know you could love somebody so much, and she's the reason why I want to keep fighting," Morgan said.

- Written for cbsdenver.com by Special Projects Producer Libby Smith

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.