Mum-of-four shares battle through 'hardest year of her life' after terminal cancer diagnosis with thousands on TikTok

Happy, fit and seemingly healthy, Stacey received the sudden diagnosis that she had terminal cancer despite not suffering from any symptoms.

After suffering a sharp pain in her shoulder and stomach, the 36-year-old, who grew up in Washington, attended A&E and within a matter of days was told she had incurable cancer.

An inspiration to thousands, Stacey has been sharing her story – with more than 47,000 followers on social media platform TikTok – to raise awareness in the hope of helping others.

Now as the ‘hardest year of her life’ comes to an end, the mum-of-four speaks about how she continues to find the strength to keep fighting.

And after months of gruelling chemotherapy, Stacey received the overwhelming news that her tumours had shrunk.

“I get scans every three months now. The scan came back to show the tumours had shrank and the next scan showed it stayed the same. The longer it stays as it is the longer I have to live,” said Stacey.

"I just burst into tears. The doctors never expected my body to react like this, I don’t think they quite know what to do with me.

"I’ve outdone the expectations I had.

"They’re still saying there’s no cure for it but my body is fighting - I have taken to the chemo better than anyone thought.

“Sometimes with chemo I can walk out and I’m completely fine but others it breaks you down. My skin falls off my face, my body aches all over, I can barely walk but it is what is keeping me alive.

"The last almost nine months have flown over. I think I’ve adjusted to having cancer, this is my life now but I don’t think I’ll ever adjust to the chemotherapy. I don’t think anyone could get used to that.”

Stacey, who now lives in Walker, has previously spoke of how cancer has changed her outlook on life and taught her to find beauty and happiness wherever she looks.

"I think everything that has happened in my life has lead me to this. If I hadn’t been through all the things I’ve been through I don’t think I’d be able to fight as hard as I can.

"I keep fighting for my children but it’s hard to be strong all the time. I have days where I just break my heart crying and I feel like my heart has been broken into a million tiny pieces.

"You can’t stay positive all the time but I know when I do cry I will pick myself up again – that tomorrow is a new day.

"This has been the hardest year of my life but it has taught me valuable lessons. I’ve been putting my journey on social media to raise awareness and encourage people to speak to doctors if they’re concerned about something.

"I want people to know that it can happen to anybody at any time, I’m not the only person who has had cancer without presenting symptoms.

“I also want my children to have it as a journal for after I’m gone.”

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