A grandmother who had a mammogram on her 50th birthday instead of celebrating was shocked to be told she likely had cancer on her big day – then connected with the love of her life just 24 hours later. Sam Steele from Hall Green, Birmingham was told she had breast cancer which was confirmed by a biopsy shortly after.
The former retail worker now feels “lucky” to be nearing the end of her treatment with a good prognosis and a fresh outlook on ageing – which has seen her move house, begin a new relationship and get engaged all within a year. Now 51, Sam ended up “blurting out” her diagnosis to a fellow dog walker, IT worker Paul Ferguson, 52, the day after her birthday.
The revelation led to a connection which turned to love when Paul turned up to Sam’s home to comfort her on the morning of her cancer surgery. Sam, who has four adult children and four grandchildren, is now engaged to Paul. She said: “Turning 50 you do think about where you are in life, what you want, what you’ve achieved.
