A Whitehaven 21-year-old who faced a cancer diagnosis during the pandemic has given birth to a miracle baby.
Maddison Hewer didn’t think she would be able to get pregnant naturally following gruelling treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
However, she is now mum to baby boy Ezra and he will be joining her on the start line of Cancer Research UKs Race for Life Carlisle on Sunday July 7.
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is a series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
Maddison was busy studying for her A-levels in 2021 when she became aware of a small hard lump on her chest.
She was initially prescribed antibiotics, but the lump didn’t go away. Maddison also developed a swollen gland in her neck, which her friend’s mum, who was a nurse practitioner suggested she should get checked out.
Due to Covid restrictions, Maddison was unable to access a face-to-face GP appointment and she and her mum ended up at the out-of-hours service.
A blood test immediately showed inflammation and Maddison was booked in for an ultrasound test the same night followed by an MRI at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.
She and her mum Stacy were devastated when doctors took them into a quiet room and suggested they thought Maddison had either Hodgkin’s or non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
Following a biopsy at the Newcastle Royal Infimary, Maddison was given the Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis just one week before she celebrated her 18th birthday.
She opted to have treatment on the children’s ward rather than the adult ward to allow her access to the teenage cancer unit.
Initial tests on tissue removed from her neck and armpits indicated Maddison’s cancer was at stage two. However, when the lump was removed from her chest, she was diagnosed at stage four and was told she needed chemotherapy immediately.
Maddison was given the agonising decision of opting for intense chemotherapy and being left infertile or having a weaker form of chemotherapy and being left with a good chance of getting pregnant, but also the likelihood of the cancer returning.
Maddison had always wanted children and was veering towards opting for the less intense form of chemotherapy while her mum Stacy wanted her to ensure the cancer would never return by selecting the more intense course of treatment.
Luckily, her quick thinking consultant intervened and despite there not being enough time to harvest eggs and freeze them, he suggested removing one of Maddison’s ovaries. She had one ovary removed and it was sent to Oxford University to be stored in their specialist fertility centre.
Maddison underwent six cycles of chemotherapy. She cut off her long hair and donated it to the Little Princess Trust and raised £6,500. And when it started to come out in her hands, her brother shaved her head for her.
She was desperate to live a normal life as an 18-year-old, but was frequently rushed into hospital needing blood transfusions and at one point suffered a seven-hour nose bleed.
After the sixth round of chemotherapy in August, doctors were confident all the cancer had gone and that she didn’t need radiotherapy.
And by October of 2021, Maddison was given the news of being all clear.
She had only been months away from sitting her A-levels when she was diagnosed and passed all three based on previous course work and mock results.
Maddison deferred her nursing degree to autumn 2022 to allow herself enough time to recover.
She received help from charities Danica’s Dream Fund and Mollys Ollys Wishes as well and family and friends.
At the start of last year, Maddison had a minor car crash and ended up in hospital where the nurse treating her wondered if she could be pregnant.
Maddison said it was a medical impossibility as she only had one ovary which would have been damaged by the chemotherapy treatment and that her healthy ovary was in storage in Oxford. She was given a pregnancy test and was absolutely flabbergasted to be told she was having a baby.
Maddison had only been studying nursing for four months. She has now deferred the course again until she can afford to go back to her studies.
She and her family have always taken part in Race for Life from Maddison being a youngster.
In 2014, she lost her granddad to prostate cancer and had taken part ever since in his memory. But in 2022, she and a huge gang of family and friends ran the 5k course at Carlisle’s Bitts Park to celebrate Maddison’s recovery from cancer.
This year, Maddison, Ezra and her family and friends will take part to celebrate his safe arrival.
She said: “Even when I was sent for an ultrasound and an MRI, the thought of having cancer never occurred to me. I felt fit and well and my only symptoms were the swollen gland in my neck and the small lump on my chest.
“When I was told it was very likely cancer, but the doctors weren’t 100 per cent certain of the type, I felt numb and couldn’t process the news. My mum was crying her eyes out and hysterical.
“The treatment was hard going and it was the biggest relief to be told I was cancer free in the autumn. If it wasn’t for the amazing specialist doctor in Newcastle, then I wouldn’t be here today. He saved my life.
“When I fell pregnant with Ezra, again, it was such a huge shock I couldn’t believe what the nurse was telling me. He is my little miracle.
“Race for Life has been such a journey for us – from doing it when I was younger because I was county runner to then taking part in memory of my grand-dad and now Race for Life is a celebration of my survival and the arrival of Ezra.”
Race for Life Carlisle will take place on Sunday July 7 at Bitts Park. Participants can choose a 3k, 5k or 10k course. The mud splattered Pretty Muddy obstacle course will take place on the same day at the same venue with a children’s and adults’ event.
Jane Bullock, of Cancer Research UK, said: “We are grateful to Maddison for her support and know her extraordinary story will make an impact on everyone who hears it.
“No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime.** Race for Life has the power not only to transform lives, but to save them. We’re proud that Race for Life has already helped double survival rates in the UK.
“We’d love for as many people as possible across Cumbria and beyond to join us at Race for Life. There is an event for everyone and we mean everyone. Walk, jog, run or take on the course however it suits best. It’s a chance to feel the power of moving together with fellow Race for Lifers and to treasure that moment of crossing the finish line.
“Whether people are living with cancer, are taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with the disease, or are in it for the medals or just for the fun of fundraising, there is a place for everyone.”
To enter, visit raceforlife.org
