Family speak out on ‘worst year’ after double stage 4 cancer diagnosis

A Barnsley family have spoken out about their “worst year” after both parents were tragically diagnosed with terminal cancer just nine months apart.

Sarah Thawley, 38, and her husband Steve, 41, from Elsecar have had a horrific year after both finding out they had stage four cancer just nine months apart.

The couple, who have five children between them, welcomed their baby son Arthur in March 2020.

But Sarah was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer just eight weeks after giving birth to him and had to find out in hospital alone due to coronavirus rules.

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She was due to begin chemotherapy last summer but her condition had deteriorated so rapidly that doctors told her that she had only weeks to live on June 11.

On June 17 the couple tied the knot in a private event attended by family, and were given special permission to have a blessing in their back garden.

Yorkshire Live wrote about the community rallying round the family and donating to their fundraising page recently.

The mum-of-five said she was “determined to enjoy life” and has miraculously survived against all odds.

Remarkably Sarah’s condition was improving and she was able to finish her treatment of chemotherapy by October.

But the family were dealt a cruel blow just a few weeks later when husband Steve suddenly complained about a sore throat.

He was fast tracked for an endoscopy which revealed that he had stage four gastric cancer on Dec 11.

Sarah said: “It’s been the worst year we could ever have imagined especially with the Covid restrictions in place and being isolated from family and friends.

“But we had our little good luck charm Arthur to help us pull through and to cheer us up.

“We’re getting through it one day at a time with loads of positive thoughts. We have five kids between us and fantastic family and friends so we have plenty to fight for.

“Even though it’s been a nightmare of a year, we’re still here and things could have been so much different for us all.”

Sarah said she had an easy pregnancy which made the cancer diagnosis a bigger shock as she had no signs that something might be wrong.

Due to Covid regulations, she said she was told the crushing news on her own as her family couldn’t be by her side.

The school meals assistant said: “It was a shock to hear the news, especially since I’d had such an easy pregnancy and hadn’t had any other signs early on that something might be wrong.

“The worst part for me though was the way that I found out.

“Because of the Covid restrictions I had to be given the news by the doctor by myself and after they told me I was basically just left alone to break the news to my family over the telephone.”

Husband Steve said he was shocked by his diagnosis as he couldn’t believe their family was being put through the same nightmare again.

But he said he was inspired by his wife who rocked a pixie cut after losing her hair and still enjoyed Joe Wicks workouts during her treatment.

The operations supervisor said: “After the year we’d had with Sarah’s diagnosis to say it was a shock is an understatement.

“I couldn’t believe it and couldn’t understand why it was happening to us again.

“But after seeing my wife battle the way she has done it gave me the strength to do the same.”

The couple said they don’t want to be seen as a “sad story” despite the terrible news, as they are still determined to enjoy life with their children Ben, 22, Tyler, 17, Evodie, 10, Jacob, eight and baby Arthur.

They said: “We’ve had amazing support from family, friends and from people in the community which we’re still overwhelmed by and incredibly thankful for.

“It’s shown us how generous and kind people are.”

A fundraiser has been set up by friend Marina Whitwam, 43, who has known the couple for around five years as Steve used to coach her son’s football team.

She said she wanted to help in any way she can to make the family’s lives easier after the hellish year they’ve endured.

The mum-of-two said: “It’s so horrific, you couldn’t write it.

“Honestly, if you ever met them they are the nicest people you could ever meet.

“Doctors said it’s a miracle that she is still here. She lost her hair but she looks amazing. She looks like a breath of fresh air.

“I can’t even imagine, the idea of bringing up a baby during lockdown is hard enough but if both have terminal cancer I don’t know how they do it. They’re so positive.

“It’s unimaginable what they’ve gone through.”

So far they have raised nearly £4,000.

You can donate here.