Mum-of-four finds 'pure love' with best friend after tragic cancer diagnosis

Stacey Pentland was a fit and healthy mum when she was admitted to hospital with an agonising pain her stomach and her shoulder, which she thought was a trapped nerve.

But following a number of tests doctors told Stacey she had terminal cancer which had developed in her rectum and spread to her bowel, stomach, lungs and lymph nodes.

The heartbroken 36-year-old now faces the terrifying prospect of her four children growing up without their mother and says she is determined to fight to stay with her family for as long as possible.

Now on her fourth round of chemotherapy, Stacey fears the cancer isn’t slowing down as much as she’d hoped but says doctors won’t be able to tell until she has completed six rounds.

"At the moment it’s not really slowing. If anything it’s moving quite quickly, they found a lot more fibroids in my womb but they don’t know if it’s cancerous,” said Stacey, who grew up in Washington before moving to Walker, in Newcastle, five years ago.

"It’s progressively getting worse but we knew that would happen.

"Doctors said that to find out if it is cancer in the womb I would need a hysterectomy but that could shorten my life.

"I know in my heart that it is cancer. It’s just not worth doing it.

"I just need to keep going with the chemotherapy and hopefully it will slow down.”

Stacey says she has found true love with best friend Fahd Al-hooti, 29, who has been her rock since her diagnosis. The pair now plan to share their love with the world in a blessing ceremony next month.

"I’ve known Fahd for donkey’s years and we’ve supported each other through so much. It had always just been friendship but the love was there,” said Stacey.

“I called him in such a state not long after I was first diagnosed.

"He made me feel like I was a real person. We just love each other, it’s just pure.

"He’s my strength and he makes me smile when I’m at my lowest.

"We were just talking one day about how we wished we could get married.

"I said we can in a way and that’s how the idea for this blessing, it’s not legally binding, just in the eyes of God and our loved ones.

"We haven’t got a lot of time but this will stay with him for the rest of his life.”

Friend and fundraiser Kim Allison has been organising the blessing which will take place in Washington.

The 36-year-old, also from Washington, said: "Stacey and Fahd have been lifelong friends and realised what they mean to each other, it’s lovely.

"The blessing was organised in a few days – I was blown away by the generosity of businesses to make their day special.”

Kim has thanked ATW Vintage and Classic Cars, Lily Bows Florist, Caroline Joyce Couture Bridal, Gavin Scott’s Menswear, Astra Event and Catering Hire, Bob Singh from Nisa Barmston and volunteers who have donated.

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