A mum has revealed how she dealt with a blood clot, cancer and being laid off from her dream job in a matter of months after falling pregnant – and says the nightmare is a “never-ending” cycle.
Emily Hausman describes the whole ordeal as “not feeling real” at times.
The 43-year-old originally had her entire life mapped out; from a successful career, to tying to the knot and becoming a mum.
And while she was working in her dream job as a magazine journalist, life quickly slipped by and those milestones were becoming further from reach.
Emily, not wanting to waste another second, sought out a sperm donor and in May 2025, gave birth to a little boy.
But, life had other plans in store, and she’s been dealt blow-after-blow in a “never-ending” cycle of traumatic events.
“I was just being hit with one crazy, horrible thing after another,” Emily told Need To Know.
“At times, it didn’t even feel real.
“I truly couldn’t believe that all of this was happening to me at the same time.
“It was so absurd that I started wondering if it was actually all as bad as it seemed and I was just feeling sorry for myself.”
Emily, from Utah, US, felt “lost” before falling pregnant.
She said: “I was keeping myself afloat, but not really moving forward.
“It was like I was always waiting for something to happen before I could take the next step – as if my life was on pause – and I wasn’t truly fulfilled.”
“Exhausted” from trying to date in New York, where she lived at the time, Emily decided to take matters into her own hands.
She said: “After a lot of reflection, I realised that choosing to do it on my own didn’t mean I was giving up on having a family or meeting the right person someday.
“It just meant I wasn’t willing to settle or tie myself to someone who wasn’t ‘my’ person.”
In April 2024, Emily went through IVF to conceive using an anonymous sperm donor.
When she got a positive test, she was overjoyed and was excited for the next chapter of life.
But then, just two months into her pregnancy, she suffered a subchorionic hematoma – a blood collection between the uterine wall and the outer foetal membrane – landing her in hospital.
And, at the same time, she lost her job due to company layoffs.
Emily said: “I’ve been through a lot of complicated things in life and I’ve always managed to keep pushing forward.
“My luck hasn’t been terrible, but it’s never really been easy, either.
“The rug was pulled out from under my feet entirely at one of the most vulnerable moments in life.
“But I knew I had to do whatever I could to make sure my baby was going to be okay.
“There wasn’t room for fear – only focus.”
Emily gave birth to her little boy, Ezekiel, in May 2025.
At last, she was finally happy and hoped the turbulent time had come to an end.
A couple of weeks later, though, the universe dealt Emily another devastating blow.
She said: “I noticed something wasn’t quite right, then I started heavily bleeding.
“I had a blood clot in my uterus, which I was rushed in to remove.
“I was completely exhausted and was trying to keep up, but my body couldn’t handle it.
“I felt like I was an inadequate mum and I had mum guilt for being away from my baby.
“But then doctors found out I had developed endometritis and a fever.
“I had just about recovered a few months later when one of my breasts remained hard following stopping breastfeeding.”
Emily, hoping life had no more heartache in store, was then diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic melanoma cancer, which is incurable.
She said: “I was so confused.
“Then this turned into sheer terror.
“I was hysterical.
“I kept thinking: ‘I finally have the most precious gift – my baby – and now it’s all going to end.”
“I had finally started to feel like I was living the life I had always wanted, even with all the chaos and hurdles.
“And, suddenly, it was all being ripped away from me.”
Financially, it’s been a struggle.
Emily’s unemployment benefits ended the week before she got diagnosed, with her due to start job hunting the same day.
Currently, she’s undergoing treatment, with two rounds of immunotherapy so far.
In another hit, the mum was due to start a second type of treatment – but then her kidneys shut down.
Emily hopes to share her story in a bid to show people that no matter how bad life gets, it’s always worth putting up a fight.
Her friend has also started a GoFundMe to help with costs, with £82,000 raised out of £91,000 so far.
She added: “I’m staring at my own mortality in the face – and it’s terrifying.
“Don’t wait for anyone or anything in life.
“There will be no ‘right time’ to do things, only the present.
“Time flies and you never know what might happen.
“It’s been a brutal reminder that life is fragile and the only person who can make sure you truly live it, is you.
“I shared my story so I wouldn’t feel so lonely.
“And so maybe somebody else could confirm just how insane all of this is for one person to bear.
“Some days are better than others, but I try to take everything one step at a time.
“Each time I see my sweet baby’s face, I’m reminded of how lucky I am.
“He’s the reason I keep pushing forward.
“I never imagined my life would take such a tragic turn, but I also never knew how beautiful humanity could be until I hit my lowest point.”
