A new mum who was given the agonising news she had incurable cancer just two months after the birth of her son has been told she is now clear of active disease. In 2017 Lindsay Barnard was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had just bought a new home with her husband Paul while the diagnosis came just two months after the birth of the couple's long-awaited son Osian.
Lindsay, 32, found a lump in her breast during her pregnancy but a consultant where she lived at the time told her it wasn’t anything to worry about and was most likely a blocked milk duct. However further tests revealed the lump was cancerous. Following the diagnosis the couple moved to Ewloe, Flintshire, but the news got even worse when doctors at Wrexham Maelor Hospital sadly discovered the cancer had spread to Lindsay’s liver and was now incurable.
Her husband Paul, 37, said: “The general statistics for Lindsay’s cancer would give her two to three years to live. At a time when we should be enjoying our new house, our first child, and our lives together our lives were completely turned upside down.” Speaking to NorthWalesLive he said: “The news was devastating, hard to accept, and we both had no idea what was in store over the next few weeks, months or even years. Everyone thinks this sort of thing doesn’t happen to them but they say now one in two people will be diagnosed in their lifetime with cancer.”
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Despite the trauma and worry they experienced the couple have praised the excellent care Lindsay has received and her treatment in the Shooting Star Cancer Care unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. She has had two operations, to remove the tumour in her breast and two-thirds of her liver, alongside chemotherapy.
Incredibly, despite being told her cancer was incurable, Lindsay's last scan showed she was clear of active disease. Lindsay said: “The oncologist, surgeon, nurses, volunteers and everyone else in the Shooting Star Cancer Care unit at Wrexham Maelor have been absolutely amazing during this really difficult time.
"Everyone is just so kind and I’m very pleased to say that I am now clear of cancer and the oncologist has said he’s never seen anyone respond so well to treatment. I’d like to thank Dr Watkin and my cancer nurse, Rose, who has been incredible throughout this journey with me.”
To thank the Shooting Star Cancer Care Unit at Wrexham Maelor Paul and Lindsay have raised almost £9,000. The money was raised by Paul running half-marathons while he also walked from Ysbyty Glan Clwyd to Wrexham Maelor and organised raffles. The couple also both did a skydive.
Wenna Hammond, sister on the Shooting Star Unit, said: “We are so grateful for this donation to our NHS charity fund. We have big plans to enhance our unit so this support will make a huge difference.” You can donate to Paul’s JustGiving page here.
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