Terminally Ill Mum Looks Forward To Last Christmas After Cancer Was Dismissed As Pregnancy

A mother is preparing for her final Christmas with her family after doctors believed her cancer symptoms were caused by her pregnancy.

Samantha Beaven’s cervical cancer went undiagnosed for months as doctors and nurses claimed her pregnancy was to blame for her bleeding.

“I must have gone to hospital bleeding at least ten times only to be told nothing was wrong,” said Samantha.

“But eventually I had to take the doctors and midwives at their word and trust that things were OK.”

It wasn’t until she went into premature labour at 26 weeks that it was discovered she had a cervical lesion but by then it was too late.

After rushing to hospital with contractions, a midwife examined Samantha’s cervix and found the lesion, which was causing the bleeding.

Forty-eight hours later, a biopsy confirmed that the 28-year-old had cervical cancer.

“When the specialist came to my bedside and said he was an oncologist my heart sank to the pit of my stomach,” she said.

“I knew what it meant. When he said I had cervical cancer my hands went straight to my bump. I just kept saying to him ‘but I’m about to have a baby.’”

Samantha’s waters broke the next night and Daisy was born weighing just 2lbs 2oz.

Just a few days later, Samantha began chemotherapy and radiotherapy but at five weeks old Daisy contracted necrotizing enterocolitis – a life-threatening bowel condition.

Two weeks later, Daisy underwent surgery to remove part of her bowel but thankfully made a good recovery.

She was discharged from hospital at three months and Samantha was told that there were no longer any signs of cancer in her cervix.

Unfortunately the good news did not last long, after Samantha developed a worrying cough just a few weeks later.

Another round of hospital visits confirmed the worst – the cancer had spread to her lungs and was terminal.

“It was like the rug had been pulled from beneath us all over again. I was in shock. I cried for two weeks solidly. I just couldn’t believe that after all that I was going to be taken from them anyway,” she said.

“The signs were all there,” she says. “But dismissed as pregnancy symptoms and I’m afraid that has cost me my life.”

The 28-year-old teaching assistant from Brighton was told she has 12-18 months to live back in May and so is preparing for what might be her last Christmas with her family.

As well as infant Daisy, Samantha is also mum to six-year-old Bracken and both girls were bridesmaids at her wedding to their dad Alex earlier this year.

“I have promised them I will be here for them for as long as I can. There are times when I feel overwhelmed and scared and then I look at them and I know I have to stay strong.

“Daisy fought so hard to live after being born so early that I owe her and Bracken the same.

“I want to make this Christmas so special for them. I hope to create some special memories for us all.”

As well as trying to raise awareness of cervical cancer, Samantha is trying to prolong her time with alternative treatments funded by donations from well-wishers.

“Thanks to them I can go on being mum and try to enjoy as much time as possible with my beautiful girls,” she said.

“From what doctors have told me this could be my last Christmas with them so I want to make it the best ever.”

You can help fund Sam’s treatments by donating here.

[Kate Middleton Writes Heartfelt Letter To Bereaved Mother]