One of my greatest fears when I had children was that I’d never be as good a mum as my own mother was. I can remember when I had my first child – a son, Eddie – in July 2009, I cradled him in my arms and promised him I’d try to be every bit as kind and selfless as she was.
Then aged 62, my mum Lynne had been my best friend growing up. I was an only child and Mum was devoted to me. While my dad Leighton was working overseas as an engineer, Mum and I would bake cupcakes together, and when I became an adult, we would go on holidays and lunch dates. Even when I married Dale, then 31, in January 2006, not a day went by that I didn’t see or speak to Mum.
When Eddie was born, and later Rosa, in January 2013, Mum babysat while I worked at my corporate sales job.
But when Mum popped round one day in October 2015, her face etched with worry, I immediately panicked. Mum revealed she’d just been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. She told me not to cry, she wanted me to be strong, but it took all my resolve not to break down.
Suddenly I felt like I was 13 years old again, when I’d found out for the first time that Mum had a lump in her breast.
I can remember being terrified that she would die, and so relieved when an operation to remove the lump had worked. Only now, here we were 28 years later, going through it all again – the cancer was back. I hadn’t even known she was going in for tests, so it was a huge shock.
Denne historien er fra January 31, 2022-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 31, 2022-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The benefits of waking up early
I can almost feel my daughters rolling their eyes at the thought of me writing about the joys of waking up early.
'Rylan makes me MILLIONS!
The presenter talks about his love life, professional success and his alter ego
GATSBY
He needed a home, but was Maria barking to even consider taking him in?
My mindset MAKEOVER
After losing 4st, the future is bright for Hazel James
Eat more WEIGH LESS
Feel fuller while losing weight with our exclusive plan from Slimming World
Autumn tricks YOU NEED TO KNOW
Stop cold, dark nights disturbing your sleep with these expert cheats
'HARRY WILL NOT BE BACK'
Reports of Prince Harry wanting to return to the UK and royal duties are, I’m told, ‘completely wrong’.
'I'M HONOURED to still be part of Strictly'
Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke on the hit show and why he'll never retire
Would you keep CANCER A SECRET?
Model Elle Macpherson revealed she kept her battle with the disease hidden - we find out why many others choose to do the same
'Ruth has handled the split WITH DIGNITY'
Coleen Nolan on grief, supporting Ruth Langsford through divorce and moving in with boyfriend Michael Jones