Young mum who had rare form of 'pregnancy' cancer praises hospital (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Young mum from Malton, North Yorkshire, praises hospital which discovered her rare cancer

5:52pm Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News

A young mother who had a rare form of cancer that mimics pregnancy has paid tribute to the hospital that discovered her condition 12 months ago.

Frankie Wedgewood, 22, from Malton, North Yorkshire, and her fiance Will, 25, welcomed their first child Freddy into the world in September 2011.

But just six months later Frankie was being treated at Weston Park Hospitals Teenage Cancer Unit (TCU) in Sheffield after a rare form of cancer was discovered when she went to her doctor with stomach pains.

Initial tests showed she was pregnant, but Frankie said: "I knew I wasn't pregnant as my fiance is in the Army and had been away serving so it was impossible. At first the GP thought I had an ectopic pregnancy, but tests revealed this wasn't the case and nothing showed up on scans.

"It was a confusing time, I just didn't have a clue what was going on. I was then transferred to Weston Park Hospital for scans and further tests."

Last March doctors discovered Frankie had Choriocarcinoma - a quick-growing form of cancer that originates from a pregnancy but can spread anywhere in the body. She was treated at Weston Park Hospital due to its expertise in this area.

Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity helps to fund the work of the specialist unit, which aims to provide a home from home environment for patients, along with a range of recreational and social activities.

Frankie started a four-month course of chemotherapy in March 2012 and was treated on the TCU where baby Freddy was also able to stay with her.

She has now completed her treatment and will return to the hospital soon for a check-up.

She said: "The nurses are great and if I have any problems or queries I know I can contact them. But now I am looking forward to the future and walking down the aisle this summer where I will be thinking of all the amazing staff that helped to get me there."