Mum’s body was a cancer ‘war zone’
Brave Louise’s battle after giving birth
A young mum was diagnosed with stage four cervical cancer just months after her youngest son was born 11 weeks prematurely.
Louise Smith said her body became “a total war zone” as she fought back against the disease.
The 23-year-old still has a tumour but is determined to compete in next month’s Pretty Muddy obstacle race and raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
Louise gave bir th to Stephen in July 2015 and she was diagnosed with cancer in October.
She said: “I had such a terrible pregnancy. I was constantly sore and my legs felt like they were always on fire.
“When Stephen was in intensive care, I would get up every day and go see him, but always felt unwell and my legs were still so sore.
“I decided to go to the doctors and try find out why I was still in so much pain.”
Brave Louise, from Motherwell, continued to put up with the pain for a further 12 weeks until she started passing blood clots.
She added: “I started bleeding lots and passing clots that were the size of my hand. Doctors told me it was normal after a C-section, but when I went for an ultrasound they found a 5cm clot in my uterus.
“I was then called back into hospital and they wanted to clear my womb as they just thought it was left- over placenta from the C-section. But when they told me to come in for my results and to bring someone with me, I knew it was something serious.
“Never for one second did I think it would be cancer. My life changed forever. I had two young boys to look after – I couldn’t possibly have cancer.”
Louise, who also has a four- year- old son called Cole, started receiving treatment at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and was so ill that she had to move back in with her mum.
She said: “I then began chemotherapy and radiotherapy and brachytherapy which caused my body to become a total war zone – to the point I ended up in hospital for most of my treatment as I was so unwell.
“I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without my wonderful mum. She helped me with the boys and just kept me going through the toughest of times.”
Due to her treatment, Louise also lost her hair and had to get a wig – a loss she found difficult in the beginning.
She said: “It was devastating for me. I cried and cried and cried about it but then I eventually got over it and thought ‘I’m still here for my babies.’
“That’s all that matters, my hair will come back. My hair is still short, like a pixie style, so I still wear my wig when I’m out. But in the house I have it off now and my oldest son Cole thinks it’s funny that we have the same hair cut.”
The mu m - o f- t w o received good news after her last brachytherapy in April when she was told that her tumour has shrunk.
Louise is now taking part in Glasgow’s Pretty Muddy event on Saturday, September 17, and is also planning her own charity night in the next few months.
She said: “If speaking about my experience helps just one person catch cancer early, or just gives them more information about it, then I will be happy. “I just want to tell people that if you have any single doubt in your mind, then get checked because even though you think ‘ it won’t be me’ there is always a chance that it could be.”
Louise was at the University of the West of Scotland before her diagnosis and is hoping to return next year to continue studying accountancy, and also wants to volunteer with various cancer charities.
She said: “I still have my good days and bad days. My kids keep me going and I’m starting to slowly but surely get back to my old self.
“Hopefully next year I can return to university to finish my course and start volunteering and helping those that are in a place I have been before.”
Louise has set up a just giving page supporting Cancer Research UK. Go to www. justgiving. com/ fundraising/ FrancescaLouise-Smith to donate.