Help families like Siobhan's this summer
Siobhan was pregnant with Freddie when she was diagnosed with blood cancer.
“Our son Freddie was born sleeping in October 2022. It was heart breaking but Clatterbridge gave me hope and I kept going for Freddie.
Dave and I were overjoyed when we found out I was pregnant again and Rowan was born in October last year.
Please help Clatterbridge Cancer Charity give hope to others like me.”
A gift today of £25 could fund a counselling session for patients who require emergency psychological support.
A gift today of £50 could help fund a specialist radiotherapy bra, which helps reduce side effects and for some breast cancer patients.
A gift today of £75 could fund a weekly lunch club on the Teenage and Young Adult Ward, helping younger patients socialise.
A gift today of £100 could help us fund research into studies which bring the latest therapies and scientific advances to Clatterbridge.
Siobhan's Story
My story is one of hope and belief. Clatterbridge helped give me that hope and belief at a time when I was not only facing up to cancer treatment but even worse, the devastation of the loss of my first child, Freddie.
It was while I was pregnant with Freddie in 2022, that I was diagnosed with primary mediastinal large b cell lymphoma – a type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system. I was already very aware of my health having undergone a preventative double mastectomy as I had the BRCA2 gene mutation. It was a big decision, but I wanted to give myself the best possible chance of a good future. While I was pregnant, I developed swelling on my face and my midwife suggested I go to my GP. Blood tests showed I was low on iron which could have been because of my pregnancy, but soon I was also severely fatigued, breathless and had little appetite. I attended a routine obstetrics appointment in my second trimester and staff were so concerned about my condition they ordered immediate tests.
A scan showed I had a large mass in my chest. I also had fluid around my heart and lungs and was rushed to another hospital for treatment to drain it. My lung collapsed. I couldn’t believe what was happening to my baby and me. A biopsy confirmed that I had lymphoma, and I was referred to The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. I attended for the first time a few days later and by the end of the week was admitted for treatment.
It was the most stressful time of my life but there was a sense of calm, such a special energy. Clatterbridge gave me faith, I was so well looked after by everyone I met. I felt a part of my treatment options and my concerns for my pregnancy were listened to and acted on. I was treated with chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
After my first round of treatment, I had my 20-week scan and my husband Dave and I found out we were expecting a little boy. We were so happy but devastated to learn he was poorly and there were several concerns for his health. Further tests followed and we were given the devastating news that he wouldn’t survive. Our son Freddie was born sleeping in October 2022.
It was heart breaking. On our way home after he was born, we saw rainbows the whole way. It felt like he was sending me a message to keep going. When we got home there was a letter from Clatterbridge which said the mass was shrinking, and treatment was working. I kept going for Freddie. I had three more rounds of chemotherapy and a course of radiotherapy to go. I rang the end of treatment bell for the second time in January 2023. Then it was a waiting game to find out if the treatment had been successful.
I decided to start growing flowers in our garden in Freddie’s memory. I found spending time in the garden restorative, taking my mind away from the trauma of losing my son and the stress of the treatment.
When I was told I was in remission from cancer we had a small gathering with family and friends. We toasted Freddie, and I thanked him for saving my life. I carried on growing flowers and a friend drew a picture which I turned into a sticker to adorn bouquets of flowers for friends and family – calling them Flowers for Freddie. Dave and I were overjoyed when we found out I was pregnant again after being told we may not go on to have other children.
Rowan was born in October last year.
She will grow up learning all about her special big brother Freddie. I say thanks to him all the time for giving me the strength to carry on even when I didn’t feel I could. When I’m in my garden and tending Freddie’s flowers I think of the Tennyson quote: “If I had a flower every time I thought of you… I could walk around my garden forever.”
There is a lot of hope in our story. Clatterbridge gave me hope and the belief that I would be well again. Please help the charity give hope to other people like me.
