Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Elle Halliwell, Allen & Unwin, $29.99.
No one should be placed in such a difficult position: having to decide whether to save the life of your baby or yourself. Halliwell’s story is selfless and inspirational.
Being newly pregnant, this was precisely the predicament Elle found herself in two years ago. The well-known reporter was first diagnosed with leukaemia and a few days later she found out she was four weeks pregnant.
The choice facing her was an unbearable one: either terminate her unborn baby and begin the treatment that gave her the best chance of survival or continue with the pregnancy and delay effective intervention for her cancer, a course that could lead to her death.
The mother’s choice was choosing her baby over herself. Elle’s touching memoir details her illness, her pregnancy, and against all the odds, the ultimate triumph of giving birth to her son in December 2016.
Now on the road to recovery, she has discovered a new passion for nutrition and healthy living. Her journey, hard and painful though it was, has made her more determined than ever to live well and enjoy life to the full for the sake of her family.
This account is about challenges, and victories, sacrifices, faith, unwavering love and dedication. It is also about strength and resilience and a family connection that thrives because, as Elle puts it: they’re “an awesome bunch of relos”.
A Mother’s Choice is convincing, poignant and, above all, motivating.
Her pride in her son, Tor Felix, shines like a beacon as she pronounces: “You are my miracle, my world and my reason for everything”.
