Terminal mum-of-two suffering from leukaemia put off going to doctors because she thought cancer symptoms were normal after giving birth to twins
Sandra Bilotta, 34, mistook cancer signs for being a tired parent
A MUM diagnosed with terminal leukaemia put off seeing a doctor because she thought mistook cancer symptoms for being a tired parent.
Sandra Bilotta, 34, experienced leg cramps, back ache and exhaustion four months after giving birth to twins but assumed they were just signs of parenting.
The first-time-mum’s condition worsened two months later and in October 2013 she visited A&E where she was quickly diagnosed with aggressive cancer acute myeloid leukaemia.
In January this year the former special needs teacher, who is originally from Philadelphia, America but lives in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, was given the devastating news her cancer is terminal.
Sandra, who does not know how long she has left to live, said: “I started to get light leg cramps and back pain but as I'd just given birth I didn't think anything of it – I put it down to pushing a pram and holding two baby carriers.
“I gave birth in the June and by the October my back pain had become really bad and I was exhausted.
“But because I was getting up to do night feeds and looking after the girls, yet again I just thought this was normal for motherhood.
“I was starting to worry I couldn't cope wiwth being a mother, which was the worst feeling for me.
“It was only when my friend came to see my one day she pointed out how terrible I looked, and took me to A&E straight away.
“I was given a blood test and when I got the cancer diagnosis I was so shocked.
“I know it sounds crazy but I was also relieved – all I had ever wanted was to be a mum, so it was so great to know that I wasn't failing my children.”
Sandra, who has lived in England for the last 10 years, tries to remain positive for wife Amanda Plumb, 41, and three-year-old twins Lily Grace and Emma Rose, and wants to inspire others with a similar diagnosis not to give up.
She had always dream of being a mum and fell pregnant after through artificial insemination.
And although the family were devastated by the diagnosis, Sandra said it "wasn't the worst thing that could have happened to her" as she just wanted her children to be ok.
In her almost three years battling leukaemia she has received a bone marrow transplant from an American donor, which gave her two and a half years of life.
Now she wants other people to sign up as donors.
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Throughout Sandra's illness her dream was to dance with her idol Ellen DeGeneres on her show when she was in remission – and since discovering she was terminal, her new wish is to meet with Ellen or Skype her.
She posted a video online which has gone viral and the programme's producers have been in touch.
Sandra said: “Meeting Ellen or talking to her is my way of celebrating my life and it shows my girls that no matter what they should dream big, and who knows what can happen.
“I want my legacy and message to be to cherish each day, hug like you mean it, love fully and openly and to just keep swimming.
"During my treatment I would dream that someday I would be in remission and be able to go and dance on The Ellen Show and celebrate the life I've won back.
"My wife and kids are the reason I keep fighting and they've been so amazing, I want to show them that I'm still celebrating the life I live and I'm not going to give up."
Sandra still visits the Royal Liverpool University Hospital once a month for check-ups but treatment for her terminal cancer has now been stopped.
Priscilla Hetherington, lead nurse for stem cell transplants at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, said: "Over the years Sandra has become part of the family here at the Royal.
“We have seen her twins grow from tiny babies into two beautiful toddlers and we look forward to her visiting us for her treatment.
"She has shown us overwhelming determination in battling her condition and her strength and positivity continues to inspire us all."
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