A mum who has battled cancer twice reveals how doctors had to remove a rugby ball-size tumour from her stomach – which she assumed was “nothing to be worried about.”
When Lin Limbrey started experiencing high blood pressure and a swollen stomach, she didn’t think much of it – but then, her life was hanging in the balance.
She visited her doctor, who sent her for further tests and scans after being “alarmed” with her blood results.
Soon, Lin, now aged 56, was diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare type of cancer that forms in the outer layer of the adrenal gland, affecting around 220 people in the UK each year according to Cancer Research UK.
After further tests, a 30cm tumour, which was compared to the size of a rugby ball, was found and when she heard that the cancer had also spread to her liver, she feared for not only her future but her kids’ too.
“At the time, my main concern was how the diagnosis would affect the people I loved,” Lin, a stay-at-home mum from Kent, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“It was heartbreaking when I had to tell my mum, as she broke down into tears and that really upset me.
“Everyone was thinking the worst – but I knew I had to get on with it and look after my kids, who at the time were very young.
“They couldn’t grow up without a mum, so I had to get through this for them.
“At the time, they were only five and three, so don’t really remember much about it, but I recall wanting to see them finish school, graduate from university, and get married, like any mum would.
“I was also concerned about my husband, Dominic, having to bring them up all on his own, especially as he was working away a lot overseas.
“But I think I was more worried about everyone else, instead of myself.”
In a bid to halt the cancer, emergency surgery was performed to remove the tumour and her right adrenal gland, along with two-thirds of her liver.
Luckily, as the disease was caught early, no further treatment was needed and after several years of regular scans and checkups, the mum-of-two was officially declared free from the illness.
But then, in 2018, Lin’s health took a turn for the worst once again, when she began coughing up blood for 20 minutes, which covered the sink and shower.
Once again, she feared her life was on the line.
She said: “I woke up early one morning coughing hysterically and when I realised blood was splattering out, I knew something wasn’t right.
“But cancer didn’t cross my mind for one second.
“I woke up Dominic, who was shocked by how much blood had covered the bathroom, and within minutes, I was being rushed to the hospital to get checked.
“It was only when we were taken into a side room in the hospital that I realised that this was really serious, especially when the doctor asked if I had ever had tuberculosis or any contact with asbestos.
“It was around two weeks before his 50th birthday that I started getting excruciating chest pains, but I put this down to heartburn – I was totally wrong.
“For the second time, she was diagnosed with the same form of cancer, with scans showing shadows across her right lung, which was an eight centimetre tumour.
She claims doctors informed her the cancer had spread to her lungs, but wasn’t in fact lung cancer, which was difficult for the mum to process.
Lin said: “My whole world came crashing down.
“I was so much more worried [this time around], as I thought the outcome might not be so positive.
“As I had never smoked in my life and lived a health lifestyle, it was a complete shock to be told this.
“The worst part was telling my now grown-up children, Josh and Charlotte, as he was at university and she was doing her A-Levels, so it was very difficult.
“It wasn’t a great time for either of them and they were really worried about me and fearing the worst.
“My sister-in-law said to me I am like a cat with nine lives, but I thought this time I wouldn’t be as lucky.
“The only thing I could do was trust the doctors and put my faith in them.”
Lin underwent surgery to have the upper lobe of her right lung removed, along with the tumour, and was later placed on a tablet form of chemotherapy, before having this intravenously for six months.
Due to the side effects, she’s suffered hair loss, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, osteoporosis, feeling faint and being very tired.
While she felt mentally drained during this time, the support from her family helped boost her self confidence, with Dominic, Josh and Charlotte also shaving their heads in solidarity.
She said: “They’ve been amazing and supported me, while also raising money for charity with picking up the razor.
“I was so proud and overwhelmed when they all agreed to shave their heads.
“We actually had a really fun evening together when the children returned home from university for Christmas.
“We compiled a playlist of appropriate songs, and took before, during and after photos.
“I actually didn’t mind having no hair, as I’ve always had short hair.
“It was during winter, so I had to wear hats throughout most of my treatment too.”
Now, she’s no longer in hospital, but the mum will continue to take the aforementioned pill version of chemotherapy indefinitely or until a more effective treatment is discovered.
Despite her harrowing battle, she’s been thankful for the support of her husband and now hopes to raise awareness with Cancer Research UK (CRUK).
So far, Lin and her family have raised over £24,000 in various charity challenges, including two Cancer Research’s Race for Life events and a 200-mile cycle.
Lin added: “When I was initially diagnosed all those years ago, certain treatments were mentioned, but not much was known on how to use them effectively, which was only cause more harm than good.
“Now, I understand that patients are prescribed these treatments to halt the disease and it’s due to vital research from CRUK that this is possible.
“Also, two of the three IV chemotherapy medications I was given were developed by the charity’s scientists.
“I feel extremely proud that as a family we have raised so much money for charity.
“My hope is that the scientists will find better treatments sooner, and even a cure for this terrible disease.
“My message to others is live life to the full – no one knows what’s around the corner – after all you could get run over by a bus tomorrow.
“I have good days and enjoy going out with friends and family, even if this does mean I spend the next couple of days mostly sleeping.
“I can honestly say that I have never felt happier than I have in the last four years.
“I feel truly loved and appreciate everything I have.
“This experience has made me a much more positive person, as I know I am surrounded by amazing friends and family.”
