'Selfless' mum wants to live life to fullest after devastating diagnosis

Zoë Handscomb-Edwards, 44, was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer in March 2023, when she was 16 weeks pregnant with her first child, Penelope.

The news came after she attended the doctors with what she thought was a pulled muscle in her leg. This was later diagnosed as an extremely rare PEComa.

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The diagnosis followed an ultrasound and MRI, but she could not undergo any further scans due to her pregnancy.

Zoë, who works for the RNLI and lives in Bournemouth, said: “Hearing somebody say those words, it was like my world just dropped away.

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"That's what I say was the worst day of my life - when we just left the hospital and they had no information for us. All I knew was that I was going to be referred to the sarcoma clinic. 

"From then on, it was incredible. Every single bit of NHS support that I've had from that point has been absolutely first class".

Zoë and Rob's daughter, Penelope, has now turned two years old (Image: Zoë Handscomb-Edwards) Shortly after giving birth to her daughter in July 2023, Zoë underwent a PET scan where she was told she had six months to two years to live due to the cancer spreading to her lungs, hip, neck and lower back. 

Despite the odds and a stage four diagnosis, two years later, Zoë is living her life to the fullest with an admirably positive attitude, supported by family and friends and in particular, her husband, Rob.

Zoë said: “I don't know how much time I've got. Everything could change in 10 days or I could have 10 years - they don't know.

"I just put one foot in front of the other and I've got this amazing support around me.

"This whole thing has made me realise how resilient I am and how people can be."

She has also stepped out of her comfort zone by sharing her story publicly on her Instagram page, hoping to support others in similar positions. She particularly wants to help those with the same, ultra-rare diagnosis and raise awareness of the help available to those living with cancer.

Zoë said: “Macmillan has been amazing and sarcoma.org - there's so much support out there and there's so many incredible people, and I think when you first get diagnosed, it's so overwhelming and you don't get told all these things.

Zoë continues to be positive (Image: Zoë Handscomb-Edwards) "You have so many questions about what this means and who am I going to be, what does my life look like and how long is my life going to be? You need support from people who can help you navigate that."

Rob has now set up a GoFundMe page on behalf of Zoë, to raise essential funds for drugs, therapies and treatment to ensure she does not go without the expensive care needed over the upcoming months and years.

In particular, Zoë wishes to raise money to help her create memories with her family, making the most of every moment.

Rob said: “Zoë is so much more than her diagnosis. She is the most loving, kind-hearted, and selfless person I know. Even before her diagnosis, Zoë was always the first to offer help to anyone in need. 

“Whether it was supporting friends through tough times, volunteering in the community or simply offering a listening ear, Zoë’s generosity and compassion have touched so many lives.

"Now, it’s our turn to rally around her.”