A SOUTH Lakes cancer survivor has been left in disbelief after her mother received a terminal diagnosis just weeks after she was given the all clear.

Kate O'Callaghan, 34, was 'stunned' to learn she had Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a diagnosis that she said was completely unexpected.

"I had various different tests and things and just went in for a check-up appointment because I had been told a few times previously it would not be anything sinister," she said. "I got to the appointment and they said actually it's Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

"I was just stunned to be honest. The first few hours I just sat there stunned. I'm quite a positive and strong minded person so I made a decision: 'I can let this consume me or I can fight'. And that was it."

After emergency IVF to harvest some of her eggs as herself and husband Danny do not yet have a family of their own, she began an 'aggressive' course of chemotherapy.

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Every two weeks for six months the keen mountain biker travelled to Lancaster from her home in Old Hutton to receive treatment. She said the side effects were 'grim', and experienced hair loss, vomiting and fatigue.

It was at the end of June that she received the all clear, although she said she 'could not believe it' when she was given the news.

"You sort of get that sense of relief," she said. "That's when everything hit me. I was fine in the appointment but when I came out my legs went and all the emotion came out."

However, just five weeks later her mother Julia Dutton, was diagnosed with a serious case of myeloma, a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow.

"I do not know how to put it into words really," Mrs O'Callaghan said, telling the Gazette about how she felt following the news. "In a sense I know what she's going through and what she's going to go through.

"I know what pain she's going to be in."

She said her mum's diagnosis is not 'imminently' terminal but it is incurable. Doctors are seeing what they can do in order to prolong the life of the 70-year-old, who lives in Runcorn.

It is as a result of both his 'inspirational' wife and mother-in-law's circumstances that husband Danny has decided to embark on a year of fundraising to 'give back' to those that work to beat cancer.

"It's life shattering to start with," he said, talking about the diagnosis. "I think it's sort of a taboo subject cancer but when you look into it a bit more you see that so many cancers are treatable.

"You've just got to stay positive but there's a bit of helplessness as well."

Mr O'Callaghan, who is also a mountain biker, will be ditching his bike in exchange for a pair of running shoes for his first challenge.

The 35-year-old will be taking part in the Lakeland Four Passes event, running almost 20 miles that take in four of the Lake District's most scenic valleys and their adjoining passes.

"I'm a mountain biker normally so I was going to do something with bikes but I thought that was a bit obvious," he said. "So I thought I'd try one of the hardest fell races you can do.

"I just think the costs that are involved with the NHS that provide chemotherapy - it's astronomical what it costs them. So I'd just like to give something back really."

The run takes place in October and Mr O'Callaghan wants to raise £1,500 for Cancer Research UK. He hopes that local businesses might support his efforts with essential fell running kit.

Mrs O'Callaghan, who will return to work as the business development for the Outward Bound Trust next month will also be getting involved in fundraising and is looking forward to returning to her active lifestyle.

"That was the hardest thing about it actually," she said, explaining that she had received huge amounts of support from local groups like Wonderful Wild Women and Kendal yoga teacher Hannah Glancy during her treatment. "Seeing everyone being outdoors and doing the stuff I love."

And although it has been a challenging year for the couple, they are remaining positive following the second diagnosis.

"As a family we are really positive hopeful family and everyone is just up for another fight again," Mrs O'Callaghan said.

You can donate to Danny here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/danny-o-callaghan