A WILTSHIRE mum with terminal cancer delayed her treatment to have a baby girl.

Carly Beasley gave birth to little Ivy last August after learning she was expecting on New Year’s Eve 2020, and now hopes to enjoy the time she has left raising her beautiful newborn.

The 34-year-old has been trying to stay positive and make the most of her days after receiving the shocking news about a tumour growing on her brain in 2018.

She experienced no symptoms and was fit and healthy but suddenly suffered a seizure in the middle of the night in July 2017.

Carly remembers waking up “after a horrific nightmare” and heading to the bathroom before blacking out.

Her partner Kris, who married her two months earlier, recalls seeing his new wife screaming and trying to reach the side of the bed then losing consciousness, shaking and foaming at the mouth.

The construction director used his first aid training to put her in the recovery position and, after an MRI scan, the couple received the bad news.

Carly added: “When I was having the scan, I just sensed something was wrong but it was still a massive shock."

A 13-hour operation removed most of the growth but there is currently no cure for its effects.

The couple decided to travel the world while she was well and tick off a bucket list of destinations - Barbados, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and a honeymoon dream of a South African safari.

She said: “We decided to travel the world and live life to the full. We did all the things we knew would take a lifetime to do in a shorter space of time.

“Although I was told the general prognosis for brain tumours is 14 years even with further treatment, it wasn’t a personal diagnosis but one for many different types of brain tumours.”

Swindon Advertiser: Carly and Ivy BeasleyCarly and Ivy Beasley

As the next round of treatment approached, they worried that planning a family would be impossible as the drugs would leave them unable to conceive naturally and IVF would have a low chance of success.

So all treatments were postponed until after Ivy was born on August 29.

The couple are overjoyed at the gift of a new life and the treatment and research which has helped Carly – but she wants more to be done to look into potential cures for cancerous tumours.

Carly, who works for food company Danone in Trowbridge, is calling on people to join the Race for Life in Lydiard Park this Saturday (May 14).

She took part in the virtual version held during lockdown in 2020 because she wanted to give back to Cancer Research UK.

Carly added: “My neurological team have been very supportive and I have been closely monitored throughout my pregnancy to ensure the tumour hasn’t grown over this time.

“My latest scan results show there is some subtle bulking, but doctors are pleased with the results and the time will be right later this summer to operate again. I am feeling really positive about it.”

The Race for Life is a series of 3km, 5km, and 10km events, which funds research to help beat 200 different types of cancer.

Swindon Advertiser: Ivy BeasleyIvy Beasley

Carly added: “It’s thanks to advances in research and treatments that I’m here and can enjoy more special moments with my family and friends.

“I’m excited to support Race for Life and play my part to fund research today which will help beat cancer for future generations.”

She will undergo further treatments and another operation in the summer.

To sign up for Race for Life, visit raceforlife.org

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