A mum who lost her son in a caravan fire has months to live after being diagnosed with terminal cancer and is writing cards to her children so they remember her. Erin Harvey, 30, went to the doctor in January 2023 after struggling with bad stomach pain.
She was diagnosed with pancreatitis – when the pancreas becomes inflamed - but after her skin started to turn yellow, she had an endoscopy to look inside her body. Doctors discovered a tumour in her digestive system and diagnosed her with ampullary cancer - a rare form of the disease in the digestive system.
Erin had an operation in February 2023 to remove the 37 by 45mm tumour, as well as her gallbladder, most of her pancreas bile duct, and part of her small intestine and was told she should be cancer-free. She was due to start chemotherapy in June 2023 to “muck-up” the remaining cancer cells but found the disease had spread to her liver - after struggling with further stomach pain.
Erin has been told the cancer has reached her liver and is now terminal – and has been given anywhere between six months to a year to live. Erin tragically lost her son Zac, three, in a caravan fire three years ago in January 2020, and her son, Tyler, passed away in December 2012 when he was five months old due to a cardiac arrest.
Now she will leave behind her surviving sons - Harley, eight, who was injured in the fire, and Alex, 13 - and her fiancé, Dan, 26, a gardener. The mum is remaining as positive as she can and has written cards for her boys' milestones - including their birthdays, weddings and when they become parents.
Erin, a support worker, from Ffair Rhos near Pontrhydfendigaid, Wales, said: "I sat Alex down and I told him they can't get rid of the cancer. I told myself I wouldn't cry but I did.
"We want them to enjoy the summer. I've written cards for their birthdays up to their 21st.
"I've done them for when they pass their driving test and their wedding day and when they become parents. I'm doing as many things for them as I can before I go.
"It's going to be tough on them losing a parent." Erin lost her son, Zac, in a fire after an accidental blaze broke out while he and his brother Harley, then four, were staying at their dad Shaun's caravan in January 2020.
Shaun, 29, a tree surgeon, was unable to save Zac but pulled Harley from the flames. Harley was given little chance of survival after suffering burns to 40 per cent of his body but made a miraculous recovery and is now thriving.
Erin said: "Harley is incredible. You wouldn't know what he has been through."
Following her devastating diagnosis, Erin wants to do as much as she can with her family. She is now receiving palliative chemotherapy to ease her symptoms and give her as much time as possible.
Erin has set a date to wed her fiancé, Dan, and the family have a caravan to make the most of Erin's good days to get away on holiday. She said: “They said my time frame without chemotherapy would be the summer.
“It was a shock. I have multiple tumours in my liver. They are scattered all over.
“Having the chemotherapy could give me three, six or maybe 12 months more. I’m trying to keep focused on the positive stuff.
“We’re making the most of everything. We’ve already had so much loss in the family already.
“It’s horrible to know it is coming but I can plan for it. I will be reunited with Zac and Tyler again.”
