I'm hoping for my happy ending, says cancer survivor mum

A mum re-diagnosed with cancer while 35 weeks pregnant said she was now hoping she could "finally have my happy ending".

Annie Fields, 37, from Manchester, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021.

She was eventually given the all clear and looking forward to being a mother when she received in 2024 the devastating news that her cancer had returned and was at stage four.

She had an early emergency caesarean to deliver her son, now two, and surgery to remove a brain tumour.

After treatment and pioneering immunotherapy she went into remission but was again re-diagnosed with cancer last year.

After more surgery and treatment she is now celebrating an unexpected "miracle" clear full-body scan.

The former GP was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer after finding a lump in her left breast at 32.

She underwent chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.

Despite a setback when she developed sepsis during treatment, she was eventually given the all clear and hoped the worst was behind her.

Before treatment, Annie froze her eggs after being told her fertility may be affected.

Annie said: "We'd always planned to wait at least five years before looking at using the eggs I'd frozen because we'd been told that was the period when the cancer was most likely to return."

But in 2024, her and her husband Daniel, 38, were surprised but "absolutely thrilled" to discover she had become pregnant naturally.

However, at 35 weeks pregnant, she suddenly became unwell while on holiday in France.

The couple cut their trip short and travelled back to the UK and she was admitted to hospital.

Doctors discovered a 1.4in (3.5cm) tumour on the back of her brain and a trace on her left lung.

After the caesarean, and the seven-hour operation to remove the tumours, she began a course of radiotherapy.

She said: "I was very ill afterwards and slept for most of the day for weeks."

Daniel was able to take time away from work to look after Annie and their son.

During treatment, Annie took part in the PARTNER trial, supported by Cancer Research UK, which uses targeted therapy alongside chemotherapy.

She also received pioneering immunotherapy through the LION trial, led by researchers at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

After treatment, she went into remission again and returned to work. But at the end of last year, the cancer returned, this time in her liver and her brain.

She was also diagnosed with leptomeningeal disease, a serious complication in which cancer cells spread to the tissues and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Once again, she underwent surgery to remove half of her liver followed by chemotherapy and was forced to take medical retirement from her career.

Despite months of extreme fatigue and other side effects of treatment, she gradually began to feel more like herself.

And her most recent scans showed no evidence of cancer.

She said: "I didn't think it was possible to have no sign of cancer after being diagnosed with leptomeningeal disease. The average life expectancy can be just a few months, so I'm hoping I can finally have my happy ending.

"I'm currently having scans every three months and we're making plans again, booking trips and enjoying experiences as a family."

She said: "Going through cancer teaches you how precious life is. None of us knows what's ahead, but after being diagnosed multiple times, you're constantly aware of your own mortality. That's why I want to make the most of every day."

Now, determined to celebrate life and give back to the research that has helped her, she is preparing to take on Cancer Research UK's Shine Night Walk with a group of friends on 2 October.

She will join thousands of people walking the streets in honour, celebration or remembrance of loved ones, to raise funds for the charity and encouraged others to sign up.

"Cancer research is vital," she said. "The treatments and clinical trials I've been involved in simply wouldn't exist without it.

"We must continue supporting scientists to find new and more effective ways to beat this disease."

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