Shortly after her son Jack was born, Gill Thompson noticed a fast-growing lump on her breast. Thinking it was just a natural part of breastfeeding, she went to her doctor as a precaution, who referred her for a screening.
Shockingly, Gill then discovered she had an aggressive form of breast cancer that had developed whilst she was pregnant with Jack.
The pregnancy hormones had accelerated the tumour's growth, meaning it was easier for Gill to detect.
Gill revealed the terrifying moment the doctor told her she had cancer.
'Five months after giving birth to my baby boy, we found ourselves in a small consulting room hearing the life-changing news that I would begin chemotherapy in less than two weeks.'
'I was petrified, thinking "how am I going to look after my children while dealing with cancer?" It's natural that you fear the worst.'
And to make matters worse, as Gill was undergoing intense chemotherapy, her husband David was knocked off his bike in a hit-and-run incident.
'I was petrified, thinking "how am I going to look after my children while dealing with cancer?" It's natural that you fear the worst.'
Because of this, Gill was forced to do a hefty share of childcare whilst her husband struggled on crutches.
'I was worn out from the chemotherapy and David was on crutches so I was having to get up in the middle of the night to help feed and change Jack.'
'It was ridiculous' the mother-of-two added.
Thankfully, after a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Gill was given the all clear a year ago, and now takes medication to suppress her levels of oestrogen, a hormone which can encourage some breast cancers.
Speaking of her cancer, Gill revealed she is grateful she breastfed, as it made her 'a lot more aware of them than I'd usually be,' meaning she noticed her cancer sooner.
We're glad Gill is now doing well with her lovely family!