Northumberland mum, 28, shares story of brave cancer fight during coronavirus pandemic

Hayley Cadman, 28, from Shilbottle, was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma in January 2020 after suffering from weight loss, fatigue and intense back pain.

The mum-of-two began experiencing back pain in March 2019 and went to see her GP who thought it was a trapped nerve.

But the pain persisted and by September 2019 Hayley began to suffer heart palpitations and started to lose weight.

Another visit to the GP led to Hayley undergoing blood tests which came back abnormal and led doctors to believe Hayley may have an autoimmune condition.

Hayley, who was also suffering a cough and breathlessness, was referred to a specialist and underwent a chest X-Ray which revealed a mass on her chest.

Further scans and a biopsy followed around Christmas 2019, which indicated that Hayley may have cancer.

But it wasn’t until the New Year that she received the diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

“One I was diagnosed I started chemotheraphy at Wansbeck General Hospital in February,” Hayley said.

"I had six months of chemotheraphy and finished it in July.

“When the coronavirus pandemic started, I was moved to the Rutheford Cancer Centre in Bedlington to finish my treatment with them.

"The care I received from Wansbeck oncology unit and The Rutherford Centre has been outstanding.”

Hayley, who is mum to Mason, six, and Lewis, one, said the pandemic brought additional challenges as restrictions were put in place.

Measures meant that husband Peter Cadman couldn’t attend treatment with her and Hayley felt isolated at times as she fought cancer during lockdown.

Knowing other people with cancer must be feeling the same, she came up with the idea of putting together care packages for newly- diagnosed patients in an effort to reach out and give them a boost.

These packs contain items donated by businesses, including glass courage angel's from Becky Davies at UniquEco Designs, cards from Sarah Farooqi and puzzle books and toiletries.

Other businesses and members of the community donated money and vouchers to the effort, with £1,012 raised.

The packs were delivered on July 22 to Alnwick and Wansbeck Oncology units, and a further £345 was donated to charity Maggie's Centre.

"I came up with the idea in hospital as my mood had suffered with coronavirus and I was feeling quite isolated,” Hayley said.

“I wanted to reach out to other people in a similar situation and to give something back to the NHS.

"I know what it's like when you are first diagnosed and something small like this can make a big difference.

“The support from family and friends has been overwhelming and I really could have got through this awful time without them.”To donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hayley-cadman

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