Beloved mum told she has two weeks to live after finding lump three months ago

A much-loved mum was given just weeks to live following a devastating diagnosis. Jeanette Carter found a lump in her breast on January 23 this year and managed to see a doctor the same day.

The 49-year-old was sent to a breast clinic where tests revealed that she had cancer. Tragically, medics also told the grandmother the disease had spread to her stomach, lungs and spine. Jeanette began chemotherapy on March 5 but a couple of weeks in, she began to suffer side-effects including breathing difficulties which forced her to be put on oxygen.

And then during the cleaning of her PICC line - a device used to administer chemotherapy - Jeanette's heart rate increased and she was rushed to A&E. Medics discovered that the lump in her breast was pushing against her windpipe, making it hard for her to breathe.

It was then, the family say, that the consultant delivered the tragic news that chemotherapy was unlikely to help and had just two weeks to live.

READ MORE: 'I was diagnosed with deadly disease aged 26 and my life will never be the same'

Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp

Her loved ones had hoped to celebrate her 50th birthday with a party on Saturday, April 27 - the day before her birthday. But now, her husband Darren Carter has been told to celebrate early as they are not sure what condition she will be in by then.

The 53-year-old dad from Tamworth said: "I'm coping and trying to stay strong. Jeanette is having a very rapid decline. The doctor told us on Monday (April 22) that it was a matter of days or weeks.

"They've upped her medication and told us that we need to move her birthday party closer as she'll be too tired to realise who is there by Sunday, April 28."

Darren and Jeanette met on a dating website back in 2010 and went on to get married in November 2014. He has two children from a previous relationship - Stacy and Shane, and Jeanette has a 25-year-old daughter, Lea-Mai, and a 14-month-old grandson, Codey.

Paying tribute to his wife, he said: "She is so fun, loving and family-orientated. She'd do anything for her daughter and my children as well. She's taken my children as her own and adores her grandson, Codey."

Speaking about the rapid decline in his wife's health, Darren said: "It has been an absolute nightmare, the worst nightmare I've ever been through."

A GoFundMe page has raised more than £4,000 to help towards the costs of bills at home as well as donations to St Giles Hospice where Jeanette is being cared for. Through tears, Darren calls the support he has been shown "amazing."

Breast changes to look out for according to NHS:

• a change in the size, outline or shape of your breast

• a change in the look or feel of the skin on your breast, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness

• a new lump, swelling, thickening or bumpy area in one breast or armpit that was not there before

• a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples

• any change in nipple position, such as your nipple being pulled in or pointing differently

• a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple

• any discomfort or pain in one breast, particularly if it's new pain and does not go away (although pain is only a symptom of breast cancer in rare cases)

Always consult a doctor if you have any concerns. Click here to view the GoFundMe page.