Sunderland woman 'devastated' to learn cancer had returned on Christmas Eve pledges to help others with fundraising

Ann-Marie Sproston, 42, has Stage4B ovarian cancer and was first diagnosed in August 2018.

She went through six rounds of chemotherapy over eight months, receiving a hysterectomy in December 2018 – and proved a tough fighter when doctors gave her the all clear in March the following year.

But the victory was short-lived as Ann-Marie found lumps, some of them in her neck, last December.

On Christmas Eve, she was given the heartbreaking news that her cancer had returned. Ovarian cancer, spreading through the lymphatic system, can extend up to the neck lymph nodes.

Having been given the all clear earlier that year, Ann-Marie and her family were looking forward to a Christmas that wouldn’t be shadowed by her diagnosis.

Her sister, Siobhan Forster, said: “It was devastating, the year before she was recovering from her hysterectomy, so she was looking forward to a care-free Christmas and having a few drinks with her family – she was devastated.”

Despite the blow to Ann-Marie and her family during the festive period, Siobhan said that within the darkness shone some light as Ann-Marie’s cancer was not as severe as originally thought.

She is currently on medication to treat it and will follow-up with her doctor in a few weeks.

Siobhan, 30, added: “At times the lump in her neck can make her feel self-conscious. She had a PET scan a few days after Christmas and has to keep an eye on it to make sure it’s not getting any bigger.

“She’s really strong, she never moans about it and she keeps her spirits high so we keep ours high.

“You only have one life so you live each day as you can.”

Ann-Marie, sister Siobhan and mother, Janet Forster, are putting on a coffee morning to raise money for the cancer wards at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The event will be held at Philadelphia Cricket Club on Saturday, March 14.

To get involved and find out more contact Siobhan Forster on 07496000244.