Thank you for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page in the memory of my loving Mum, Angela Andrew. Who passed away on the 8th January 2014, Aged 54 Years Old xxx

On the 13th February 2013 (My Birthday) my Mum was diagnosed with Breast Cancer

This was a huge shock for the whole family, although we had seen Mum feeling ill in the period leading up to diagnosis this didn’t prepare us for the reality of this devastating news or what was to come. 

We didn’t know that Mum had found a lump in her breast but had kept this hidden from the family and had been scared to get it checked out by her GP.  Mum had been suffering anaemia since Christmas of 2012 and fainted whilst at the supermarket in early January 2013.  This prompted my Dad to take her to the GP and Mum was referred immediately to Grimsby Hospital.  Mum underwent a series of scans and tests during her initial stay in hospital and referred to the care of the staff team at the Pink Rose Suite. 

Mum was an outpatient at the clinic on 13th February 2013, when she received the diagnosis of Breast Cancer in her left breast.  The presenting size of the tumour caused concern and upset for us all to see.  After Mum continued to feel physically unwell due to the anaemia and getting repeated skin infections it was decided that surgery would be the only option before any other forms of treatment could be considered.

On 14th March 2013 Mum had a mastectomy at Grimsby Hospital. The surgery lasted approximately 6 hours.  Mum made a slow but steady recovery from the surgery and although physically weak she was beginning to show signs of her old self again.  The scar healed well but the cancer was still present in her body and continuing to grow.

Upon discharge from hospital my sister (Becca) took on the caring role for Mum and had to help Mum with dressing, bathing and changing of dressings on her wounds.

Her next stage of treatment was to be Chemotherapy at Scunthorpe Hospital.  She began a series of 6 treatments on 20th June 2013, with one dose of chemotherapy every 3 weeks.  Our lives were then dictated for the following weeks around Mum’s chemo cycle.  Mum would have around a week of ‘good’ days in between doses where she didn’t have nausea and feel well enough to go out of the house.  Mum didn’t let any of the treatment phase her during her time of chemotherapy, even losing her hair in the process.  The effect of the chemotherapy did mean she was prone to further infections and low blood counts so she did need to stop the cycle when she was admitted to Ward 18 of Scunthorpe Hospital for a few days.

Mum was under constant review of her consultant and the MacMillan nurses at the hospital offered the family advice during this time.  It was decided in late October that Radiotherapy would be the next stage of treatment at Castle Hill Hospital.  Mum was to have 15 doses of treatment.

Mum started treatment in late November and would daily travel to Hull. About halfway through the treatment, Mum developed a bad cough which we all thought to just be a chest infection and prescribed antibiotics by her GP.  The cough stopped her attending treatment for a few days until she felt better but it persisted.  Eventually Mum did finish the treatment on 23rd December 2013.

Christmas was spent together as usual all together but Mum had little appetite and slept for most of the day after presents were opened.  We noticed she was becoming even more tired and her cough still had not gone away.  On 27th December we took her to A&E and she was admitted for observation. 

Mum was underwent tests and they recognised the symptoms were of pneumonia.  Mum sadly could not fight any longer and it was on Tuesday 7th January 2014 that nursing staff shared their concerns with the family for Mum’s health.

At 4.30am on Wednesday 8th January, Mum peacefully passed away with me present by her side. 

Myself and two of my friends Lisa Hutty and Billie Westerman have decided to take part in Race for Life at Cleethorpes on the 18th May 2014, to help other people like my Mum and to raise money for Cancer Research UK to help find a cure for cancer.

Each and everyone of us are affected by cancer at some point in our lives whether its ourselves,  family member or friends.

However little you can spare to donate will be gratefully received

Thank you very much

Love Vicky xxx

 

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