My Unsung Hero of the Month: Kayleigh Canning

Hero of the Month: 

Name: Kayleigh Canning
Age: 20
Cancer: Ovarian Cancer


Why is she my hero?

Kayleigh is my hero because when she faced terrible life problems one after the other she never gave-up hope, she is proof that what doesn't kill you really does make you stronger!


The life of Kayleigh Canning:

My parents decided to adopt myself and my two
brothers for reasons I won’t get into (that’s a whole new blog) they seen something in us and went all out and adopted all 3 of us so they wouldn't break me and my brothers apart and to be very frank we were past the cute adoption age. I never ever looked back they brought us up in a safe environment . We traveled Europe as as family went over the the states. Most of all they gave us the love and attention that we needed. 
At 17 years old and only a few days away from completing my first year at college life could not be sweeter. I was enjoying every moment! Making new friends and new memories and finally feeling that my life was on the right tracks.

Life changing:  Then out of the blue life as I knew it changed forever just 7 days before completing my first year at college my mum was diagnosed with stage 4 womb cancer. We had no time to dwell in pity because everything was moving so fast. My mum started intense chemo and became ill very quickly. As a family we all pitched in to help in anyway possible and put on a brave face for my mum. 

However, one day I came home from college I had the worst headache and a very swollen stomach. I informed my mum and dad that I was going to straight to bed. I stayed there all night in the dark till about 10pm when my mum came in. She lay on my bed with me and told me that she didn’t think I was looking to good. She begged me to go to the doctors the next day. I told her it was just a little headache I will be fine but to put her mind to rest I said I would go see my GP. 

I sat on the doctors bed telling him about my sore head and swollen stomach he asked me to lay down so he could examine my stomach. He had a feel of my stomach and asked if I was pregnant. So after finally convincing the Dr that I was not pregnant he took some blood and booked me in for an emergency scan the next morning.

The next day I was finally seen by a doctor. He hooked me up to the ultrasound machine. After a quick scan of my stomach he said "I need to get the specialist." At this point I was beginning to get a bit worried … What if there was actually something wrong with me ? I was called back into the room. Me and my mum sat down she was holding my hand. The Dr simply said "I don’t know how to really put this but you have a tumour" I was In shock. 

What next? 

I was informed my tumour was indeed cancerous. – A rare form of ovarian cancer.My world crumbled how could me and my mum have cancer at the same time ! I didn't know how to break the news to my mum so I asked my sister who was driving her home to do it for me. I was waiting at the door for my mum to come home. When she opened that door and our eyes met was the worst moment in my life. I will never forget the hurt that was in her eyes. We both crumbled into a big emotional mess.

I decided that there could only be one outcome and that was me being strong, brave and a surviving! 

After my first operation I was so overwhelmed, and I looked so sick. Then the best thing happened, I was introduced to The Teenage Cancer Trust, where I got to meet people my age with cancer. I really needed this support to help me get through cancer.  I decided not to have chemo but other treatments instead, I felt this gave me the most time to spend with my mum. 

Losing my Mum: 

Me and Mum

The doctors told me I was in remission, I was happy to be back on my way to health: cancer free. But I started to get symptoms again so I went back to the doctors and sadly found out that my cancer had come back. However, this wasn't the reason that day was the worst day of my life. This was the same day my mum passed away. As I spoke to her the last time I didn't tell her my cancer had come back: I couldn't! 

It came to Christmas time, I had lost my mum and had 4 surgeries, including a full hysterectomy. It was an awful Christmas. I was so lucky to have my family and friends to support me, along with everyone from the Teenage Cancer Trust. 

Being strong: 
Thankfully I am now cancer free again, i'm two years in remission. I have a new lease for life, and I enjoy every moment.  

Me and Kayleigh now

Unsung Hero of the month: 

I'm sure you can now see why this amazing girl is my unsung hero of the month. She is one of my best friends, and she helped me through my own cancer. We've been through a lot together, and i'm so happy to have someone so strong and inspiring in my life.
She remained strong through being an orphan, losing her mum to cancer, and being diagnosed with cancer twice herself.











Thank you for reading this, post.
I will be posting once a month about my unsung heroes.
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