Cranberry mother and daughter reunite with surgeon who saved them both more than 18 years ago
When Dani Jo McLane noticed some blood in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy with her second child, she went to her doctor multiple times.
Tests were done, then a biopsy was taken. Hearing the diagnosis of cervical cancer caused concern — but not for her own health. The thing McLane was thinking about at that moment, she said, was saving her unborn child who would be named Addison.
McLane decided to have part of part of her cervix removed at at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Oakland when she was 18 weeks pregnant. Dr. Robert P. Edwards, a gynecologic surgical oncologist who chairs the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, performed the surgery, working around the fetus.
“When I found out I had cancer I told Dr. Edwards he needed to figure something out,” McLane said as she stood next to her now 18-year-old healthy daughter and Edwards, the doctor who saved them, in an exam room at UPMC-Magee. “I felt confident. I said let’s do whatever is needed. I wasn’t worried for me, I was concerned about Addison.”
At a meeting with his colleagues, Edwards said it was suggested McLane terminate the pregnancy and have a hysterectomy because there would be some unknown risk with allowing the pregnancy to continue.
McLane wanted to continue the pregnancy, even if it could have meant losing her own life.
She said she was confident when at 31 weeks she was to deliver Addison and have the hysterectomy. She said she did have an emotional discussion with her husband Craig about if he had to choose between her and their baby, to choose the baby.
Addison came into the world, delivered via Cesarean section, on July 26, 2006. She weighed 3 pounds, 15 ounces. Edwards — a principal investigator at Magee-Womens Research Institute focusing on women’s cancer — then performed the hysterectomy surgery.
“We didn’t want to wait too long because the cancer could spread but wanted to make sure the baby was healthy enough so we had to wait (to deliver),” Edwards said.
Addison spent five weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit. McLane said having her entire medical team right there made all the difference in the world. Her maternal-fetal medicine doctor, Dr. Daniel Edelstone, who has since retired, visited Addison while she was in the hospital. Edwards continually checked in to comfort her, her husband, Addison and their older daughter, Ainsley.
The week after the baby came home, McLane began chemotherapy and radiation. Her body needed time to heal from the Cesarean section and hysterectomy before starting treatments, she said. She has had additional surgeries and experienced issues from the radiation causing scar tissue, but she said she would do it all again to save her child.
“There are times I think … she might not be here,” said McLane, tearing up standing next to 18-year-old Addison in the exam room.
Edwards recalled any time he talked with McLane she was positive. McLane said as a mom she needed to be strong and that she believed in Edwards.
“Dr. Edwards is our hero,” said McLane, a member of the Magee 25 Club, which supports newborn medicine, neonatal research and fetal interventions at UPMC Magee and Magee-Womens Research Institute. “If it was not for Dr. Edwards, Addison would not be here.”
Addison looked at her mother and then Edwards, taking it all in.
“This feels kind of surreal to be listening to this story and seeing my mom and the doctor who saved both of us,” Addison said. “You realize how precious life is.”
Learning about the experience inspired Addison’s interest in researching women’s cancers. She is currently part of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy (formerly the UPCI Academy) which provides research and career preparatory experiences to high school students pursuing higher education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics — especially research and medicine.
Addison spent the past two summers working in the Shadyside UPMC Hillman laboratory of Nadine Hempel, Ph.D., a research doctor who studies ovarian cancers and tumor metastasis.
“This is the best lab,” Addison said. “When you are in the lab everyone accepts you as one of them. I miss it when I am not here. You need patience to work in a lab.”
Being in the lab alongside Sierra White, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pittsburgh working in Hempel’s lab focusing on cellular metabolism in ovarian cancer, Addison said she’s learned so much.
“Sierra is a mentor, ” Addison said.
Edwards’ research focus includes cervical and ovarian malignancies. He has multiple publications looking at both prophylactic and active immunotherapy directed at the human papillomaviruses and ovarian cancer targets. His specialty of interest is in local regional immunotherapy, particularly at the peritoneal infusion of chemotherapy and immunotherapy for ovarian cancer.
“Because of the work Dr. Edwards has done with the cervical cancer vaccine, neither of my daughters will ever have to worry about this specific disease,” McLane said.
Addison and Ainsley received the HPV vaccine at the recommended age. Addison is hopeful about all of the medical research being done on women’s cancers.
During the meeting in the hospital, Addison said she was honored to meet Edwards. She and Edwards discussed her interest in research and staying in touch as she pursues her medical career path.
“It is very gratifying to see Addison,” Edwards said. “Her mother showed courage. She had the fortitude to do this. It was a tough call. It truly is a great success story.”
Addison plans to attend college in the fall and then go on to medical school. When she’s not doing medical research, she dances for the Pittsburgh Ballet House in Cranberry and is in a jazz band at Seneca Valley High School.
Her mother said she is thankful every day.
“I feel a great sense of pride and thankfulness that I have this amazing young woman in my life,” McLane said. “I am honored to be her mother. I love watching her perform on stage, whether it’s the ballet or jazz band, she just blows me away with her gracefulness. But, I am most impressed with her dedication and passion for women’s health. She shines in the lab and when she’s updating me on advances being made in cancer research and treatments, I believe that our cancer story is her destiny and that she will ultimately make a difference in this field.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.