An East Belfast mum of two has described her heartbreak after being told that she could only have one year to live after her breast cancer returned.
Chelsea McCreight, 29, spent last year going through breast cancer treatment which resulted in her having to undergo a double mastectomy that left her with a number of complications and problems.
Despite these issues, she was eventually discharged and believed that she was cancer free and could begin focusing on spending time with her two beloved sons Rylee, five, and Rogan, three, and her nine-year-old step-daughter Alexis.
Read more: East Belfast mum's constant agony after life changing breast cancer ordeal
However, over the past few weeks Chelsea has received the "shocking and devastating" news that her cancer has returned and now spread to other parts of her body, namely her lungs and armpit, and she could only have one year left to live.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Chelsea said that she fears for the future of her sons and that she is desperate to do anything that would give her more time with her family.
She said: "The past year has been so tough on our family as I have been going through cancer treatment and I feel like my sons have only ever seen their mum be very sick.
"Even though there had been issues with my breast cancer treatment, I was hoping that once it was completed then we would be able to start rebuilding our lives together and do all of the things we would have done if I didn't have cancer.
"I have never been able to take them on holiday together which is something I have been desperate to do.
"Then a few weeks ago when I was told the cancer had returned and spread to other parts of my body I was completely devastated and I feel like my head is still spinning and I am terrified for what will lie ahead for us.
"All I want to do is to be able to raise my sons and watch them grow-up while we build happy memories together and I fear that this has been taken away from us.
"If there is anything that I could do to have a few more years with them I will do it. They are my whole world."
Chelsea says that she and her GP had requested that she have a scan prior to Christmas as she wanted to check on whether or not the disease could have returned, but this didn't happen.
She says that she is disappointed that this scan did not take place as she could have been able to find out about her cancer and start treatment quicker.
The mum of two has also expressed frustration in not being able to use all of the options available for cancer treatment to help prolong her life with her children.
She said: "I feel like I have been let down by not being able to get a cancer scan sooner, especially after all I had been through with the previous treatment and if I was able to get it then I could already have started treatment.
"I have been told that I am only able to get chemotherapy, which is another frustration because I am willing to do absolutely anything in order to have more time together with my boys and I know there are other treatments out there I could do as well.
"My GP and I have been pushing for immunotherapy alongside the Chemo, but so far this has not been approved and I am hoping that it can be because it could prolong my life and give me more of a fighting chance to be with my family."
The South Eastern Trust has said that it is working with Chelsea and it will do everything it can to help her.
It said: "The South Eastern Trust can confirm that the patient is being cared for in the Ulster Hospital, but cannot comment any further due to patient confidentiality.
“The Trust is discussing these issues with the patient personally and she continues to receive appropriate treatment.
“The Trust understands this can be a very stressful and upsetting time for patients and the multi-disciplinary team involved in her care will continue to do everything it can to help her.
“Our priority is always the care and safety of our patients.”
Chelsea's friend Jordan Kisby has set up a Gofundme page in order to help Chelsea and her family make memories over the next year.
If you would like to donate to the appeal, please follow this link.
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