Family hoping for a miracle
A Sunderland family say they are ‘hoping for a miracle’ after a mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 36.
Loved ones are rallying around Amanda Lamb, from Moorside, after she received the devastating news that she has terminal cancer which will eventually spread across her entire body.
The mum-of-one now lives with her sister Stacey Brickle, who is looking after her sibling during the last months of her life.
Amanda, who was a martial arts coach at KM Martial Arts Academy in Castle town, is chemotherapy to prolong her life.
But she has asked her sister Stacey tob ring up her four year-old son Thomas when she passes.
St acey ,36 who has four children said :“Amanda is an amazing, positive and strong person.
"It was devastating when we received the news but we’ re still hoping for a miracle and that’s all you can do.
"She asked if I would raise Thomas as one of my own when she passes and I was more than happy to do that.
"She’s always there for we’ re best friends so I want to do all I can for her.”
The martial arts coach was taken into hospital on Christmasyear and was diagnosed with rectal cancer which then developed to liver cancer.
St acey, who runs a cleaning company, said: “It’s really hard seeing her like this and you don’t realise how bad the pain is until you see it 24/7.
"Amanda never asks for help and it’ s really hard to work, look after the kids and support Amanda. It takes its toll on you but I’d rather be the one to take it on over anyone else.
"It can be isolating but I have to be strong for the children, there’s no other option.”
A fundraiser has been set up by a friend of Amanda’s after the family were told they needed to leave their home as the landlord is selling the property.
Stacey said: “It’s added more stress to our lives and we’re devastated but we’ll get through it.”