New Mum's Stomach Pain Was Cancer That Mimics Pregnancy

New Mum's Stomach Pain Was Cancer That Mimics Pregnancy

A mum who thought she was pregnant six months after having her first child was horrified to discover she actually had cancer. Frankie Wedgewood, 22, suffered severe stomach pains and was told by her doctor she was expecting.

The news floored the new mum, from Malton, North Yorkshire, as she and her fiancé Will Fisher, 25, had just celebrated their son Freddy's six month birthday!

The nursery nurse, said: "I knew I wasn't pregnant though as my fiancé is in the army and had been away serving so it was impossible.

"At first the GP thought I had an ectopic pregnancy, but tests revealed this wasn't the case and nothing showed up on scans.

"It was a confusing time, I just didn't have a clue what was going on. I was then transferred for scans and further tests at Sheffield's Weston Park Hospital."

Finally, in March 2012, Frankie was diagnosed with Choriocarcinoma – a quick-growing form of cancer that mimics and originates from a pregnancy.

Tumours begin growing in the cells that would normally develop into the placenta during pregnancy and can continue to grow even after the placenta is removed.

Frankie said: "It was all a bit of a shock, but I felt in safe hands at Weston Park. All the staff were great and explained everything really well."

She started a four month course of chemotherapy in March 2012 and was treated on the Teenage Cancer Unit (TCU) where baby Freddy was able to stay with her.

She said: "What made things a lot easier during my treatment is that Freddy was allowed to stay overnight with me when I was on the TCU.

"From August to November I started my second round of treatment, which was a bit harder as Freddy was one, but he is a good child and Will was granted leave from the army to help look after us. My mum also lives close to me, so she was a big support.

"I've now completed my treatment and I'm being closely monitored and will return to Weston Park Hospital soon for check-ups. The nurses are great and if I have any problems or queries I know I can contact them.

"I'm now looking forward to the future and walking down the aisle this summer where I will be thinking of all the amazing staff that helped to get me there."

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