The sisters sewing their way through a cancer diagnosis

A mum of two who has been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer is using her sewing skills as therapy to create pouches for other patients going through chemotherapy.

Lucy Cornell, 41, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, was diagnosed despite not really having any "symptoms and leading a normal life", just weeks before her 40th birthday.

Faced with having to carry a chemotherapy pump, the fashion and textiles teacher used her skills to create her own holder, which helped her hold on to her "identity".

Cornell, and her trainee GP sister Liv Davies, started creating the pouches for other patients, donating them to the West Suffolk and Norfolk & Norwich hospitals, and to Addenbrooke's in Cambridge.

Cornell's diagnosis came after feeling slight nausea while working and experiencing sporadic discomfort in her side.

After speaking to her GP and attending West Suffolk Hospital, she was shocked to hear about abnormalities in her liver.

Further tests revealed the primary cancer was in the bowel and at stage four.

The mother of two said her "whole world was turned upside down", describing it as "a nightmare you can't wake up from".

"No-one ever truly thinks it will happen to them. Everything you thought you were before being told is gone in an instant," she said.

She added: "It's like the floor has just fallen from under you."

Cornell, who has two girls aged seven and 10, is keeping life normal while shielding them from her prognosis.

"It's the news you never ever want to tell your children," she said.

"Luckily, we had access to Macmillan support, who provided a counsellor. It helped my eldest communicate what she needed to know from us as parents.

"She helps pack my bag for me when I have to go for treatment. The children have stepped up, but keeping things as normal as possible really helps."

"Crucial" support has come from Cornell's younger sister, Davies, 36, who has taken a career break to help.

Based in Darlington, Davies regularly returns to Suffolk to help with day-to-day life, including school runs, while Cornell's husband, Adam, works as a firefighter in Essex.

Davies said: "It's been incredibly tough, but Lucy has led the way in how to cope. She is such an inspiration. Taking time out of work to help during the week makes it easier to keep that routine."

Cornell added: "The two people who've made this bearable are my husband, Adam and Liv. They are my everything."

The ambulatory pump delivers chemotherapy directly into a patient's bloodstream. When Cornell received hers at West Suffolk Hospital, it came in a knitted pouch.

Due to her experience of working as a textiles teacher at Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge, she decided to make a pouch of her own.

She said: "When you hear 'you've got cancer', your identity is stripped away. This was something I could do to feel like myself again.

"My daughters were worried about the visible signs of illness, so I wanted it to look discreet - like a fashion accessory."

Davies added: "I saw patients every day with these pumps hanging around their necks. It must feel burdensome - like a sign telling people you are sick."

The sisters went on to set up a non-profit community interest company, Loop and Lift, making pouches for patients.

"It's about taking something dark and difficult and turning it into something positive and powerful," Cornell explained.

"It comes from real experience, from someone who knows what it's like to carry medicine around."

The siblings have now made more than 50 pouches and have hand-delivered them to hospitals.

The Macmillan information centre at West Suffolk Hospital, where Cornell goes for chemotherapy, has welcomed and distributed the pouches.

Julie Parker, 58, manager of the Macmillan information centre at West Suffolk Hospital, said: "The pouches are a great initiative, and what is great is the patients don't expect them. We've got a really good relationship with Lucy, and it is a privilege to be able to give them out."

Louise Steggall, 46, survivorship co-ordinator at the centre, added: "It is so inspiring to see someone in Lucy's situation wanting to do something to help others. To give back to patients, at a time like this in her life, is really special."

David Ashton, 75, is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the hospital, and was delighted with his black colourway bag.

He said: "It's been designed so brilliantly. The drawstring stops anything from falling out, and they look marvellous. She [Cornell] is herself, a marvellous lady. She has stage four cancer, not very well, but still finds the time to make them."

Despite detecting the disease late, Cornell is determined to live with positivity.

She said: "The conversation around diagnoses like mine is often negative. Keeping normality and connecting with people helps you live a happy, joyful life, despite something so terrifying.

"I have difficult days when my mind starts racing, but that's when I get my sewing machine out and make pouches.

"Making something purposeful for others helps my own mental health."

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