by A mother who was diagnosed with aggressive cancer while pregnant is now celebrating her daughter’s first birthday.
Laura Hudson was 36 weeks pregnant with her first child when she and her husband Sam received the devastating news that she had breast cancer. The 34-year-old was told she would need quick treatment, and a Caesarean section was scheduled for a few days after she was diagnosed.
Laura, a solicitor from Astley, said when she was diagnosed her ‘first thought was her baby’. But her daughter Aurora was born safe and well and is now celebrating her first birthday.
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She described Aurora as her ‘light in the dark’ after needing chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a mastectomy. Laura said she first thought something was wrong when she felt a lump in her right breast.
“I was not looking for it and I thought it was a little strange, although I know that changes occur during pregnancy,” she said. “I thought I’d get it checked out by the doctor.
“The GP thought it was most likely pregnancy related and said it would come back in two weeks. At that next appointment, I thought it had gotten bigger and the doctor agreed and put the request for additional checks out.”
Within two weeks, Laura was having more scans and the medical practitioners quickly realized that she had an aggressive disease. “The consultant said it was cancer,” she said.
“Sam and I were so upset about it because it’s not something you expect, especially during pregnancy. My first thought was for my baby.”
Laura was given a mammogram and the doctors wanted her to start treatment as soon as possible because the lump had grown so quickly. She was seen at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust’s cancer center at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, the same site where she received her maternity care.
“The tumor was about 2cm at the start and it went up to 4.5cm by 8.6cm on the mammogram – it grew significantly,” said Laura. “They wanted to make sure we could get the baby out, and then start treatment as soon as possible to try to reduce it before any surgery.
“He was grade three, so aggressive.” Laura delivered Aurora and was able to spend time with her.
She then needed chemotherapy, followed by a mastectomy and reconstruction of her right breast. A total of 15 radiotherapy sessions were also required and Laura is now on the drug tamoxifen to prevent the cancer from returning.
Laura said: “They gave me a choice, so they said we could lump, but because of the size of the swan, they would have to take a big margin anyway. The best option was probably agreed to have the mastectomy because of the size of the tumor and because it was growing quickly.”
Laura said she ‘couldn’t be happier’ and scans now show she is cancer free, although she will still have check-ups at the Christie centre. “Aurora was amazing. She managed to get through that terrible stage last year, because now it feels like it didn’t happen, which is really strange,” she said.
“It was difficult, certainly at the beginning and after the surgery, because I was so exhausted during chemo that it was difficult to take care of her some days. Luckily, my mum lives 10 minutes away, so she was great.
“She has a great relationship with Aurora. I think there’s always a bit of mum guilt when you feel like you can’t take care of them, and especially after surgery, I couldn’t pick her up for a long time.
“However, she is developing and doing well. She started doing peekaboo on her own a few days ago.
“When I had a very difficult moment, I would focus on Aurora. She is my aurora in the truest sense of the word, a beautiful light in the darkness.”
Laura has decided to have her other breast removed as a preventative measure next year, saying: “It (the cancer) could still come back… I want to at least do everything I can think of to try to prevent it. .”
She added: “We don’t know what this means for having more children in the future, but we are lucky to have had Aurora – other women are not so lucky. I am now fully focused on recovery and my future with Sam and Aurora.
“There’s so much I want to do, and I’m looking forward to what’s next.”
Sam, who is also a lawyer, and some of the couple’s friends have raised thousands of pounds for the Christie Charity. Laura said: “At every point of my journey – from Aurora’s diagnosis and birth to my cancer treatment – I felt very safe and looked after by the NHS.
“I brought her in to see them (the team) on the last day, and they were so happy to see her, it was an emotional moment. I cannot thank them enough for what they have done for me.”
Dr Claire Kelly, Laura’s adviser at the Christie, said: “Laura is an inspirational woman and, by sharing her story, she is also raising awareness. A lump is not the only sign of breast cancer, so it is important that people check themselves regularly and know what is normal for them.
“We are very grateful that Laura and her family have chosen to raise money for our charity. It provides services over and above what the NHS funds.
“Donations make a huge difference to the care The Christie can provide to patients and their families.”
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