The heartbroken sister of a Co Antrim mum who lost her battle with cancer has paid tribute to the "one of a kind fighter".
Cassandra Jordan, from Larne , was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2017 and underwent a double mastectomy followed by intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
After finishing treatment in February last year, she thought she had beaten the disease, but the mum-of-two was dealt a devastating blow when doctors broke the news that it had spread to her lungs and brain and was "incurable".
Speaking to Belfast Live in October last year, the former factory worker said she was launching a fundraising campaign so she could travel abroad for pioneering treatment to prolong her life.
But tragically, the 39-year-old lost her battle with the disease on April 13.
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Paying tribute to the grandmother-of-one, her sister Bekki Burns said: "She was always really upbeat and positive, she knew she was not going to be an old lady but she said she was going to live her life. She had so many plans.
"Two weeks ago she was given three to six months to live, it was always incurable but they were trying to manage it. She ended up with pneumonia and declined.
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"She was giving us a laugh right up to the end, even though she was a bit scared. She was always thinking about others, even in her hospital bed, she was a bit doped up on drugs but she was asking Kendall to write out what she wanted to give everyone.
"Right up to the day she died she was thinking about others, she was just absolutely remarkable.
"I find it is always the people who make the biggest impact who are taken too soon. No matter what, even if you met her once, you will remember that time.
"She was amazing. I was saying to her partner Barry, I don't think life will ever be the same, her laugh was so infectious.
"Barry was there right to the end, he was so good helping her out, even through hard times he never left her side. He never wanted us to see it. They were soul mates, we could all tell how much they loved each other. It is more heartbreaking for him.
"She put up a really good fight even towards the end."
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Cassandra, who was mum to 21-year-old Kendall and seven-year-old Jordan, first went to see her GP in May 2017 after finding a lump in her breast while she was off work sick. She had been in bed and rolled onto her side when she felt a lump.
She was quickly sent for a biopsy and was dealt the blow that she had breast cancer. Further tests uncovered the cancer was in both breasts, although it was a different type in each.
After treating and believing she had beaten breast cancer, she started noticing a pain in her armpit in May last year that she pushed doctors for answers. After initially being told it was likely to be as a result of her treatment and surgery, things took a devastating turn.
She was told the cancer had returned and spread to her brain and lung and was now stage 4 and incurable.
She passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on April 13 in the Macmillan Unit at Antrim Area Hospital .
Bekki paid tribute to the staff who she said could not do enough for the family.
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"She was one of a kind," she said.
"People used to message the Facebook page she set up for the fundraising after they were diagnosed and she was trying to help them, she was so inspirational and upbeat.
"If it was me in her shoes, I could not do the things she was doing but it's what she wanted to do.
"There are some things she didn't get to do on her bucket list so we are going to do them for her and bring her with us."
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In a message to those who have sent their condolences to the family, Bekki added: "I would like to thank all her supporters from Facebook and everyone who donated, we tried our best.
"I would like to thank them and everyone who shared her story, all the family are really appreciative. All the tributes people have made to her, it is such a comfort to know how loved she was, but it is heartbreaking as well."
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Cassandra's funeral will take place on Friday, April 19, at 1pm in Ramsey’s Funeral Parlour, Upper Main Street, Larne. Cremation afterwards in Roselawn Crematorium arriving at 3pm. Donations in lieu of flowers, if desired, to N.H.S.C.T Macmillan Unit at Antrim Area Hospital.
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