'Months to live' mum wins fight

Samantha Deakin who has overcome serious Health issues is organsing a Charity Day at Nola's Tea Rooms George St

WHEN she was told her cancer had returned and she had just months to live, Samantha Deakin was determined to fight it ­- however she could.

The 43-year-old was diagnosed with secondary bowel cancer which had spread, with a rapidly growing mass and deposits in the peritoneum ­- a thin layer of tissue which surrounds the organs.

The brave mum-of-one, who had already had her bowel removed after originally being diagnosed with cancer in January, 2015, set about researching peritoneal cancer and how it can be treated instead of accepting that she would spend the last months of her life having palliative chemotherapy.

Samantha, from Hollinwood, said: "At first I thought I had a hernia as I was training for the Manchester 10K earlier this year.

"I was referred to the hospital for scans which showed a 7cm mass, which grew to 9cm and eventually 12cm in just a few weeks.

"When they told me I had secondary bowel cancer, I thought that was it, no-one comes back from that. I started to think about all the things that I would miss in the future, such as my son's birthdays and having grandchildren. It was a such a shock for everyone, particularly for my parents as they thought they would be losing their daughter.

"But I'm a fighter and I started to do a bit of research about peritoneal cancer and the different surgeries and chemotherapy available, including the cytoreduction and HIPEC operation, which is only available at two hospitals in the country.

"Luckily, one was The Christie in Manchester and I was prepared to do what I could to be considered for it."

Samantha, who used to work in medicine as a researcher, was told she was a good candidate for the procedure, which involved surgeons removing the tumours before a patient is given Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), directly into the abdomen during the procedure to kill any remaining cancer cells.

She underwent the 12-hour operation on June 28 and now, just months later, is beginning to look forward to a future that she almost lost.

Samantha said: "The doctors told me that when they opened me up they realised I had just three months to live.

"But surgery was successful and I can now start to move on with my life.

"At first it was small goals, such as making it to the start of 'Strictly Come Dancing', which I love, but now I'm looking forward to my 44th birthday in January and going on a cruise next year.

"I'll be classed as having terminal cancer until I reach the five-year mark and I'll have lots of blood tests, scans and check ups before then but I'm optimistic."

Samantha, who is now recovering at home, is also looking to start up a charity to raise awareness and fund research for peritoneal cancer after her own experience of the disease left her thinking that more could be done for people in the same situation.

"It is such a rare cancer that not many people were aware of exactly what it was and what I was going through," she said.

"I even found myself explaining things to doctors and nurses, which is the last thing you want to have to do when you're having treatment.

"It shouldn't be like that and I'm worried that if we don't raise awareness of the disease and improve funding and research, it will continue to be a silent killer."

Samantha has set up Peritoneal Education Charity Support and Information (PECSI) in order to raise awareness and fundraise for further research, alongside raising £1,000 for The Christie.

With support from friends and members of the community she has organised fundraisers and hopes to get started with raising awareness as soon as possible.

She said: "I'd like to create leaflets and information resources for medical professionals in the area but hopefully I can expand it and make it available nationwide."

To donate to Samantha's fundraising cause visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Samantha-Deakin1.