Joy as cancer survivor is told she is pregnant

Jul 6 2007 by David Higgerson, Liverpool Daily Post

Nicci Norton

A BREAST cancer survivor who was warned she may never have children again has spoken of her joy after learning she is to become a mother for the second time.

Niccie Norton, 28, said her year-long battle against the disease left her feeling as though she had lost a year of motherhood with her 18-month-old daughter Amelia.

So it was a particularly cruel blow when doctors warned the tough treatment she had under-gone meant it was unlikely she would conceive naturally again.

Now she is celebrating after discovering she is due to give birth before the end of the year.

Ms Norton hopes it will inspire others to have hope. Her daughter was eight months old when she was diagnosed in March 2005.

She said: “I felt I’d been robbed of motherhood for 12 months and was warned the treatment might mean not being able to conceive again naturally.”

Ms Norton, from St Helens, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in the same month as her idol, Kylie Minogue, found a pea-shaped lump on her chest..

Her partner urged her to visit the doctor, but Ms Norton initially didn’t want to make a fuss.

An ultrasound and biopsy at Whiston Hospital revealed an aggressive cancer and was given the shocking diagnosis the day before her 26th birthday. She underwent surgery two weeks later to remove the lump.

The diagnosis meant she was not able to take part in Cancer Research’s Race for Life fund-raising event that summer, but this year, despite being pregnant, she managed part of the Knowsley race in May before walking the remainder with sister Amanda.

Similar races will take place at Aintree racecourse on July 14 and the 15. Ms Norton added: “I would urge as many women as possible to register for the last places at the Aintree events to help make a difference for future generations affected by the disease.”

Those who would like to join the race can register on www.raceforlife.org or otherwise telephone the hotline on 08705 134 314.

davidhiggerson