3 years ago on this night, I kissed and tucked Mason into his bed, knowing his baby sister would be coming any day now. The frequent worries running through my mind, wondering if I could have enough time and love for 2 babies… something I think most moms worry about before adding another child to the family. I drifted off to sleep, only to be awakened about an hour later by my water breaking in bed.
We were able to somewhat leisurely prepare ourselves for the hospital; the contractions didn’t really kick in until we were on the road. We let Mason sleep as long as we could, and then dropped him off at his grandparents’ house in the middle of the night, then headed downtown.
I still vividly remember walking across the quiet, empty streets in Minneapolis as we made our way from the parking ramp to the hospital. This night was not only leading to our daughter’s birth, but it would also be the last time our lives were “normal.” Little did we know all that lay ahead. That it would be 3 weeks before we’d sleep in our own bed again. More than 3 weeks before we could all be home together. That Sloane and I would both undergo major, emergency life-saving surgeries before we could come back home.
Little did I know when I crawled into bed just 3 years ago…
🌻Though darkness falls, I look to and am grateful for the light🌻
Welcome! Thank you for being here! My name is Lauren Doyle. My husband and I have been married since 2013, and together since 2011. We have 2 wonderful kids and live in the Twin Cities suburbs. I have both a Master’s and a Doctorate and am a board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. I also have the student loans to prove it.
In 2019 our lives were turned upside down. Our daughter was born with a serious heart defect that required open heart surgery when she was just 5 days old. A couple weeks after her birth (while she was still in the hospital), I found a mass in my abdomen which required major emergency surgery to remove. At first, we were told it was just a fibroid; we learned about a week later that the mass was a rare and aggressive type of cancer – leiomyosarcoma. Through multiple surgeries and chemo, I have come out the other side, changed in many ways. I am now considered Stage IV, with a chemo-induced heart condition, and struggle with several other severe side effects from treatments.
I continue to work and live and love as best as I can. I will not claim to have all the answers about anything, but I can tell you I have learned a LOT in my 35+ years of life thus far. My passion has always been helping and educating people in whatever ways possible. I am hoping this blog will allow me to do that for a broader population beyond the patients I see at work, share my unique journey, and help keep friends and family in the loop along the way.
Thank you again for being here.
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One thought on “Little Did I Know…”
Your inspiration for life and the want and need to take care of your family is a true meaning of what a good Mother is and your on top of the game. Sheer determination and the love you have and share tugs on my Momma heart strings!! Enjoy your little one’s birthday tomorrow and for many more years to come. ❤️🎂🥳
Lauren MG Doyle 
Your inspiration for life and the want and need to take care of your family is a true meaning of what a good Mother is and your on top of the game. Sheer determination and the love you have and share tugs on my Momma heart strings!! Enjoy your little one’s birthday tomorrow and for many more years to come. ❤️🎂🥳
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