SHE’S RAISING CASH FOR CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE
Reporter A young mum who had a hysterectomy after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer will take part in the Great North Run a year after she was given the all clear.
Laura Gibbon from Widdrington, near Morpeth, was just 29 when she went to hospital with stomach pains in 2015.
A scan found two melon-sized cysts, one on each ovary, which were drained on the same day.
But a follow-up scan three months later showed the cysts had returned and this time they were sent off for a biopsy.
The mother-of-two said: “The results came back as borderline cancerous changes, I was then referred to a specialist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Gateshead.
“We chatted and decided that I’d have a total hysterectomy due to the fact my Gran died at the age of 53 with breast cancer.”
During the seven-hour operation, which left Laura with a scar from her breasts to her bikini line, surgeons found that she had already developed cancer.
Laura added: “When I came out of surgery I was diagnosed with low grade stage 3c ovarian cancer,
“I was also told that I would need to have six rounds of chemotherapy and there is a very high change of reoccurrence.
“I was 29 years old when I was diagnosed, with two young children and the hardest part for me was the guilt that I could actually leave them without a mother and my husband, Andrew, without a wife.”
As well as dealing with the cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, Laura went into an early menopause after the hysterectomy and was also diagnosed with depression and anxiety.
But during the darkest days, she found support in Maggie’s Centre based at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.
Maggie’s centres provide free practical and emotional support to those living with cancer and their families.
As her hair fell out, Maggie’s offered Laura beauty courses where she learned to draw her eyebrows on and how to wear her wig.
Staff and volunteers at Maggie’s also helped her with her finances and with the childcare of her seven-year-old son Dylan and daughter Amelia, five.
Laura, who works as a legal admin assistant, added: “During my chemo I would have been totally lost without Maggie’s. I honestly believe that this support helped me through it all.”
Recently marking one year since her last chemotherapy session, Laura is focusing on training for the Great North Run in September and raising money for Maggie’s.
Although she set a target of £350, the 31-year-old has been pledged £700 by her sponsors.
Crossing the finish line of the famous half-marathon will be a double celebration for the family as Laura reaches a year since she was given the all clear.
“Things are just about back to normal now, I’m back at work on reduced hours, I’ve lost four stone since diagnosis and I’m looking forward to life,” she adds.
“There is always that thought of reoccurrence at the back of my mind but at the moment I’m feeling pretty positive. I’m enjoying my training runs for The Great North run and can’t wait to actually run the course.”