Joy for mum and her girl who had chemo together

IT’S agonising for any mother to see their child suffering a life-threatening illness.

But after Josie Connar was given the devastating news that daughter Ruby had leukaemia at the age of eight, there was more misery to come.

Two years after the diagnosis, Miss Connar was informed that she had breast cancer.

It meant both mother and daughter underwent chemotherapy at the same time, in the same hospital.

But finally, after years of gruelling medical care, the pair are celebrating beating cancer – having earlier finished their treatment on the same day.

Ruby, now 13, was officially given the all-clear last November. Miss Connar is showing no signs of the cancer, although she is still classed as being in remission.

Yesterday mother-of-two Miss Connar, 48, said she has never felt closer to her little girl. The police Bond: Josie and Ruby Connar officer, from Exeter, said: ‘We had no history of childhood cancer or breast cancer in the family – so it was a cruel twist of fate.

‘It has been horrific at times – especially when we were told to prepare for the fact it would be Ruby’s last Christmas when she was first diagnosed.

‘But it is a unique bond we share and as a family ... We never have any arguments and are just so close. We celebrate every day and appreciate everything that we have ... We have become even closer because of what we have been through.’

In March 2011, Ruby began suffering fractures for no apparent reason and crippling lethargy.

By September that year she was confined to a wheelchair, and two months later, aged eight, doctors diagnosed her with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

In February 2013, while Ruby was still undergoing treatment, Miss Connar noticed a lump under her breast.

‘After Ruby went back to school I went to see a doctor and they confirmed it was breast cancer,’ she said. ‘I had the lump removed and had a double mastectomy and chemotherapy.

‘On January,15, 2014, I had my double mastectomy and Ruby had her last day of any chemo. We both had our final treatment on the same day.

‘We both feel like we have beaten cancer – and we have done it together. Ruby is now allclear after five years as of November.

‘I am technically still in remission but I am fine. Ruby has done really well. She is flourishing academically and wants to get into medicine. She is amazing.’