A mum-of-one received the devastating news her cancer had returned the day after she came back from her hen do.
Kaleigh Prentice had already fought off one bout of aggressive breast cancer, which caused her to undergo intense chemotherapy and a double mastectomy.
Kaleigh, from Mossley Hill, finished her treatment in 2020 and it was hoped she was now in the clear to go ahead with her dream wedding to fiancé Ant and enjoy family life with their son Harry, now aged five.
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Her wedding was re-arranged for this September and on her hen do in Barcelona she was joined by her three younger sisters Siobhan, Samera and Nadine. The 22-strong party had the "best time" before returning to Liverpool last Monday (August 1).
The next day, Kaleigh, 34 had a hospital appointment after a scan had revealed shadows on her lung. But with just four weeks to go until her wedding - which had already been postponed once - she received the devastating news her cancer was back and had spread to her bones, lungs, liver, the area above her neck and her brain.
Her sister Siobhan, 30, said: "Kaleigh was only 31 when she got her first diagnosis, which was so young for breast cancer. Two weeks later she had an operation to remove her right breast and lymph nodes. She then began intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy."
So far, Kaleigh has had four major operations due to her diagnosis which included a double mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery as her body was rejecting one of the implants, as well as having her ovaries removed which stopped any dreams of having a bigger family.
Siobhan added: "When we got the good news she was in the clear in August 2020, we threw a little party and were looking forward to getting back to normal.
"Earlier this year, Kaleigh's body was rejecting the implants she'd had put in after the double mastectomy, and just before the hen do she had a scan which showed shadows in her lung. But we still went ahead with the hen do we'd waited for for so long and had the best time."
Siobhan paid tribute to her sister's resilience in the face of the disease, which forced her to leave her job as a wedding co-ordinator at the city's Hard Days Night hotel.
She added: "Kaleigh has stayed so positive. She's fighting for her life but she's a 'get on with it' kind of person. Everyone refers to her as 'Supermum.' She's got a little boy and that's what keeps her going.
"She's always had the best attitude and that's spurred her on, and the rest of us. Everyone is just in awe of her."
A fundraiser set up for Kaleigh over the weekend has already amassed nearly £17,000, including a single donation of £5,000 from one generous contributor, and further fundraising events are planned.
Siobhan said: "We set it up because we wanted to make sure Kaleigh isn't worried about money at this time, and also to raise awareness for all women to check themselves. We're all amazed by how it's taken off so quickly, and so grateful."
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