Love for life: A mother’s sacrifice for her unborn child

World
Europe

Some say, “Women are weak, but once they become mothers, they are strong enough to fight the whole world.”

Zhang Lijun, 26, from Shanghai testifies to this truth, even if that meant losing her life.

Zhang Lijun /CGTN Photo

CGTN's documentary series Life Matters, in one of its episodes, capture Zhang's touching, yet heartbreaking story.

Newly-wed Zhang was expecting her first child when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015. Faced with a life or death choice, to save the baby or to save herself, she didn't hesitate for a moment to take a decision in her baby's interest.

Her choice will see her baby getting a new life, but then, it also gave Zhang some time with her newborn before she bid farewell to this world.

Optimistic and strong-willed, she also chose to share her battle against cancer with the camera.

Zhang Lijun smiles before the camera. /CGTN Photo

When doctors told her that the emergency surgery that offered her the best chance of survival would kill the baby, she rejected it. “At least I’ve had 26 years to see the world, he hasn’t seen anything yet,” she said.

Zhang Lijun’s baby is delivered. /CGTN Photo

Despite being born three months’ prematurely, the baby survived. For Zhang, however, it was now too late to receive the potentially life-saving treatment.

Zhang Lijun is in hospital. /CGTN Photo

But Zhang remained undaunted. With her beloved husband by her side, she vowed to keep battling the disease. “The world is simply too great. I’ll keep on living,” she said with a smile.

Doctors during an operation /CGTN Photo

Fully prepared for the worst, Zhang spent her last days making videos to be shown on her son’s birthday until he turns 18. For Zhang, it was the best present she could give him.

A still from one of Zhang Lijun's videos that she made for her baby. /CGTN Photo

Despite the doctors’ grim prognosis, Zhang enjoyed the sweetness of motherhood for more than eight months. Heartbreakingly Zhang passed away just as her son started to call her mummy in the fall of 2016.

Zhang Lijun with her husband and baby /CGTN Photo

The experience of this young brave mother is just one of the remarkable and touching stories recorded in Life Matters, which reveals what are happening between the doctors and the patients, or in essence, the life and death in the hospitals every day.

Doctors during an operation /CGTN Photo

Bold, direct and compelling stories which explore the lives of ordinary people in extreme circumstances, the series makes for some of the most powerful and emotional viewing available today on CGTN Documentary.