A mum was told she would have to undergo cancer treatment while 27 weeks pregnant after finding a lump on her groin.
In 2013 Clare Wolfswinkel from Formby found a "walnut" sized lump on her groin when she was 27 weeks pregnant with her first child and was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Clare said that when she was given the news she was "terrified" for the safety of her unborn child.
Her son Noah was born seven weeks early while Clare was still going through chemotherapy. Clare was then told by doctors that due to the intensive treatment and the location of the cancer she was infertile.
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Thankfully Noah survived and just six months after being given the all-clear she fell pregnant with her daughter Sienna. Clare said she was "shocked" when she received the news she was going to be a mum for a second time as she "never thought it would happen".
Speaking to the ECHO Clare said: "It was a scary time I was 27 weeks pregnant and I was concerned about my unborn child. I was worried about what would happen to him.
"Because he was born early he was in an incubator and I was still going through chemotherapy. I was so lucky that I got to see him but after he got off the incubator I went straight into six weeks of radiotherapy.
"It was difficult because as a new mother you want to be with your child and spend time with them but I was going through treatment."
Clare said after the radiotherapy she contracted phenomena and was then diagnosed with PTSD. The mum-of-two said: "I would get panic attacks and used to check if my son was still breathing and I would check him for lumps. I had gone through this ordeal and I did not want it to happen to my child."
She went into remission in June 2013 and was able to start enjoying her maternity leave with Noah. That was when Clare got the news she was going to be a mother for the second time.
Clare who is originally from Crosby said: "I could not believe it I was so shocked and after being told by the doctors I was infertile. It was not something we had planned but I was still over the moon.
"My husband Geerling was my rock through everything and I could not have done it without him. I'm just so grateful I've gone through it all and come out the other side I feel really lucky.
"I have two happy and loving children and I'm so proud of them."
After being diagnosed with cancer while pregnant Clare tried to find other women in the same situation. This is when she discovered Mummy's Star a charity dedicated to helping pregnant women who are affected by cancer.
Clare is taking part in the Great North Run to raise money for Mummy's Star. If anyone would like to donate more information can be found here.
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