A WREXHAM couple have raised over £9,000 to give back to hospital staff who helped them deal with a cancer diagnosis.
Lyndsay Barnard, and her husband Paul, thought 2017 was going to be their perfect year.
They celebrated the birth of their son and also bought their first home together.
But within weeks the joy turned into heartbreak after Lyndsay was diagnosed with breast cancer.
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The shocking diagnosis was given just eight weeks after the birth of baby Osian.
Lindsay, 37, had found the lump in her breast during her pregnancy but a consultant in England, where they lived at the time, told her it wasn’t anything to worry about and was most likely to be a blocked milk duct.
Following the diagnosis, the news got even worse when further tests taken at Wrexham Maelor Hospital sadly revealed Lindsay’s cancer had spread to her liver, and that the cancer was now incurable.
Her husband Paul, 33, said: “The general statistics for Lindsay’s cancer would give her two-to three years to live.
“At a time when we should be enjoying our new house, our first child and our lives together, our lives were completely turned upside down.”
PIC: Paul and Lyndsay Barnard with their son Osian.
He continued: “The news was devastating, hard to accept and we both had no idea what was in store over the next few weeks, months or even years.
“Everyone thinks this sort of thing doesn’t happen to them but they say now one in two people will be diagnosed in their lifetime with cancer.”
However, during all this trauma and worry the couple have praised the excellent care Lindsay has received in the Shooting Star Cancer Care unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
She is receiving ongoing targeted therapy and has had two operations to remove the breast tumour, and two thirds of her liver, and chemotherapy.
Lindsay said: “The oncologist, surgeon, nurses, volunteers and everyone else in the Shooting Star Cancer Care unit at Wrexham Maelor have been absolutely amazing during this really difficult time.
“Everyone is just so kind, and I’m very pleased to say that even though I’m not cured, I have had scans showing no active disease for three years now and the oncologist has said he’s never seen anyone at Stage 4 cancer respond this well to treatment!”
“I’d like to thank Dr Wilkins my oncologist and my advanced nurse, Rose Oliver, who has been incredible throughout this journey with me.”
PIC: Paul and Lyndsay Barnard are noew giving back to Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
To thank the Shooting Star Cancer Care Unit at Wrexham Maelor Paul and Lindsay have raised almost £9,000.
The money has been raised by Paul running half-marathons and he also walked from Ysbyty Glan Clwyd to Wrexham Maelor. The couple also both tackled a skydive together.
Every penny of this incredible donation will go to the unit, to help improve care for patients. It will be distributed by the North Wales NHS Charity Awyr Las.
If you are inspired by Paul and Lindsay’s story you can donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/shooting-star-super-stars.
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