"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
A Tennessee woman who gave birth to quadruplets one month after discovering her cancer had returned has said she is trusting God for her future - and believes He has a plan.
According to WKRN in Nashville, Kayla Gaytan and her husband, Sgt. Charles Gaytan, were ecstatic when they discovered they were expecting four babies - without fertility treatment of any kind.
"She called me on the phone, and we're in a Humvee and I kinda couldn't really hear her," recalled Charles, who is stationed at Fort Campbell. "It was truly some of the best news I've ever gotten in my life."
Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma last January, Kayla had just finished five months of chemotherapy and was in remission when she learned she was pregnant. Despite carrying four babies, Kayla had no real complications over the course of her pregnancy.
"My original goal to make was 34 weeks because I figured if I could beat cancer, surely I could make it to 34 weeks with quads," Kayla said. "I just kept trying to tell myself that I could do it."
One month before the babies were due, Kayla began noticing symptoms of her cancer, and shortly thereafter, a biopsy confirmed her fear that it had returned. Doctors also told her she has just 50% chance of surviving the next five years, according to ABC.
"You think you've beat it the first time. When it comes back, you're just wondering why get pregnant with these four babies and then, you know, something like this happens," Kayla said.
"She'd worked really hard to [fight] it the first time, and to come back and have to go through it all again, it breaks my heart," said Charles.
Last week, Kayla delivered the babies - Lillian, Victoria, Michael and Charles - at 30 weeks pregnant, the news station reported. The newborns are all healthy, though the largest of the quadruplets weighs only 3 pounds, 2 ounces.
"It was exciting. It was nerve-wracking. But to see them when they all came out and to hear them crying, that was really exciting," Kayla said.
Despite her uncertain future, Kayla said she believes God has a plan for her life, and is set to resume chemotherapy in two weeks, which will last 16 months
"We know that He's gotta have a different plan up there for us, and surely everything's gonna work out in the end," she told the outlet.
The family has received an outpouring of support on social media, with many offering prayers for healing and well-wishes.
"What a blessing!!" wrote one commenter. "We rejoice for your beautiful family, and let there be complete healing in Jesus' name for you, Mom!!! Life is such a beautiful gift from the Lord!!!"
"LIFE, what a beautiful choice!" wrote another. "Life of the babies and life of the brave mother. Praying for this now large family unit of at least 6 (dad, mom, 4 healthy young babies, and not sure if other siblings). They value LIFE and I value them. Bless you!"
