Overcame
I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer when I was pregnant - and almost died before I got a chance to hold my newborn baby girl.
The nightmare began when doctors discovered a tumour the size of a tennis ball blocking little Aaron's arrival.
They immediately delivered Aaron by C-Sect - but I haemorraged.
My bed sheets were soaked in blood and doctors couldn't get the bleeding to stop.
As my life slipped away, docs warned my partner, to expect the worst as he stood helpless with our baby in his arms.
He was left praying for a miracle - and fortunately for us, those prayers were answered.
"My instincts told me all was not well. There is Cancer in my Dad's
side of the family and thats what kept nagging away in my mind"
But what choices did I have?
Treatment at that time would have damaged my baby. I didn't want to
face that, so I just retreated into myself and kept my fears secret.
After months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a last chance 24 hour
bombardment of radiation directly onto the tumour, I was eventually in
remission.
I had sailed through a trouble free pregnancy with
my first daughter, Jordan whom was diagnosed with Asberger's Syndrome
when she was 6.
But I have to admit, the minute I fell pregnant
with Aaron, I felt very ill. I was sick all the time, I was in pain, I
couldn't eat, and nothing could convince me that this was a normal
pregnancy. When I was expecting Jordan, my partner and I backpacked to
India just in time before settling down with children.
I felt
so well throughout the pregnancy, mind you I was always relatively fit
and healthy having just spent almost 7 years as a Military Policewoman
in Her Majesty's Services.
This time I thought, well no 2 pregnancies are the same.
I remember my partner and I agreeing that there would be no more babies
for us. I was dragging myself through the pregnancy. I couldn't wait
for it to be over.
Every now and then I'd start bleeding and end up in hospital.
But I think because of the position of the tumour, it simply didn't show up.
When I was 8 months pregnant, I was back at hospital for the umpteenth time after bleeding.
I've got a rare blood group 'O' negative, so whenever I would take a
bleed I'd have injections to stop the baby's blood being poisoned.
This time the doctor said she was concerned because I'd been in so often, that she'd like to examine me further.
Nothing was showing on scans so she examined internally. The pain was
unbearable. Then she told me there was a growth the size of a man's fist
in my cervix.
I had a biopsy and had to stay in hospital for
the results. That night was awful. I lay awake wondering what was going
to happen to us.
Next day they told me. I had Cancer, and because of the tumour, I wouldn't be able to deliver my baby normally, I was in shock.
I was rushed into theatre for an emergency c-sect. The baby was perfect
I was so relieved. But when I was in the recovery ward, my partner
noticed that my bed was suddenly saturated in blood.
The room was suddenly filled with nurses, but by then I was slipping in and out of consciousness.
I vaguely remember nurses wrapping me up in silver foil. They were
wrapping themselves around me too, trying to raise my body temp. I was
rushed back into theatre, and, after about 2 - 3 hours, the doctor came
out and told my partner he was sorry but he couldn't stop the bleeding.
He asked my partner to sign a form permitting them to give me a hysterectomy.
My partner said, "My partner is dying in there - just do what you have to do to save her"
I spent a while in hospital while my partner looked after the girls.
When I eventually did go home I was really worried about all the time I
been apart from my girls, I hadn't had a proper chance to bond with my
newborn.
A bed was made up for me in the livingroom and I began
my chemotherapy and radiation treatment the following week, just after
New Year.
Sadly despite an intensive course of 20 treatments the tumour was still there.
I couldn't believe it, after all that the cancer was still there.
During this time my partner was giving me intensive Healing through
Crystals, (Kes is a fully qualified Holistic Crystal healer) and this
helped immensly, his Sister Al would visit me (she is a qualified
Reflexologist) and heal my body through healing to my feet and a friend
from Cancer Care came along weekly and gave me some hands on healing,
all in which played a big part in my recovery, that I am positive of.
I was then offered a 24 hour intensive course where they would bombard
me with radiation non stop using long metal rods directly onto the
tumour.
It was ghastly. I couldn't move for 24 hours but in the end, the tumour had shrunk.
To be honest I think it was the nurses and doctors who kept me sane.
When the tumour shrunk, I was still ill, but very very happy.
But along with the tumour, other organs had also shrunk and I needed more surgeries to repair the damage.
I had ignored the little voice in my head which told me I had Cancer.
Like many people, I didn't want to hear that because I knew that any
treatment would seriously damage or kill my unborn baby.
Today though, I have 2 beautiful girls and a future.
My daughter Aaron will celebrate her 12th birthday at Christmas which will be an amazing experience for us all.
I've since had to cope with more operations, skin grafts, scars,
reconstructive surgery, and am continuing ongoing surgeries but with my
family by my side.........well I made it and later married my partner
Kes Fernando on the 10th anniversary of the day we met. In a romantic
ceremony at the Blacksmiths cottage in Gretna Green, Scotland
accompanied by our two girls and friends, we tied the knot - & were
overcome with emotion. We were not the only ones.
It was the
happiest day of my life, after all we have been through. Everyone was
crying at the ceremony, it was a very emotional service. It was a
beautiful day and very romantic.
We all went onto enjoy a
wedding celebration in Annan in cottages overlooking the Solway Firth,
with the memories of darker days well behind us. We have come through a
lot since we met in Blairgowrie in jun 95, when I had just left the
military police to start work as a private investigator and met my
portugese beau Kes.We all enjoyed the day especially our girls Jordan
and Aaron and will be a day we will never forget.
I've since
took part in the "race for life" Cancer Research Charity race every year
and wow what a day, very emotional with a hint of excitement and nerves
all rolled into one. I usually run on behalf of my late Grandad Scott
(a tall and very proud man) and my dear friend "Tam the Gun" who sadly
died of Cancer, (he fired the 1 o'clock gun at Edinburgh Castle for over
20 years, we became very good friends when I served up in the castle
for many years as a Military Policewoman, we kept in touch frequently
over the years).
My daughters now join me in the race every year and
neither of us would miss it for the world, we all have a fantastic day
knowing how much we could be helping to save someone's life.
I've since built my own business and am now working in the field of
childcare, public relations, am currently writing my first book,
continue to work alongside CRUK, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust &
the Scottish Government and am continually raising funds throughout the
year for various cancer charities. I am officially Scotland's first
Cancer Research UK Ambassador, a fantastic post I accepted a few years
ago. We have recently appointed 2 new members from Scotland, Ms Rosa
McPherson & Miss Becky Stokes, so a huge welcome to the family of
Ambassadors ladies!
As an ambassador I have also been working very hard on our latest campaign, 'The Answer is Plain'.
It calls for all branding to be removed from tobacco packaging, to
discourage children from starting to smoke.
Though my cancer wasn’t caused by smoking, I want to do everything I can
to protect young people from the frightening experience I have been
through.
Glitzy packets are one of the last ways the tobacco
industry can still market its lethal products and research shows that
the striking logos and distinctive designs make cigarettes more
appealing to children.
So as the Government consults on whether to put all tobacco in
standardised ‘plain’ packs of uniform size, shape and design, I’m asking
people to show their support for this vital measure by signing The
answer is plain petition.
This is not about ‘the nanny state’ and it’s not about curbing the
freedoms of adult smokers. It’s about giving children one less reason to
take up a deadly and addictive habit which kills half of all its long
term users.
The big tobacco companies are doing everything they can to stop this –
but we’ve got to stand up to them and protect our children.
You can help Cancer Research UK to stub out tobacco marketing to
children by signing the petition at www.theanswerisplain.org
I've also had the pleasure of being invited by my local MP Katy Clark
to the 'International Women's Day' & meeting The Prime Minister at
No.10 to discuss new policies on Cervical Screening and raising cervical
awareness.
I have managed to gain plenty of media attention
through radio and newspapers for my local Cancer Care organisations too.
My main aim now is to introduce a Cervical Cancer Awareness month in
Scotland!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cervical-Cancer-Awareness/243367494595
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