A single mother who spent £12,000 to have two babies on IVF following a successful career in the RAF has just weeks to live after learning she has terminal cancer.
Sam McConnell, 46, who learned she had advanced pancreatic and liver cancer on September 7, was forced to tell her children, aged five and two, that she will not be around to watch them grow up.
Ms McConnell, from Cornwall, had been embracing the joys of motherhood with her twins, born three years apart but made from the same embryo, when she received the devastating news.
Sam McConnell, 46, from Cornwall, who learned she had terminal cancer on September 7, was forced to tell her children, aged five and two, that she will not be around to watch them grow up
Doctors told her the cancer is so advanced that surgery or chemotherapy are not an option, and she could have as little as six to eight weeks to live.
The retired RAF officer says the hardest thing is that she won’t get to see her kids Grace, five, and Rory, two grow up.
She said: ‘[It was a] shock to the system for everyone.
‘Telling my little girl that that I am dying of cancer and will die soon, but can’t say when, has to be the worst thing I have ever done in my life – and I thought reading eulogies for my nan, grandad, mum, dad and sister was.’
Ms McConnell, from Cornwall, had been embracing the joys of motherhood with her twins, born three years apart but made from the same embryo, when she received the devastating news
The cancer is so advanced that surgery or chemotherapy are not an option and doctors have told her she could have as little as six to eight weeks to live
The mother-of-two is refusing to go down without a fight however, and is seeking alternatives therapies in an attempt to battle her illness.
But, with no partner or second parent to the children, provisions have been made so that the they will be well looked after by her cousin when the time comes.
Ms McConnell is fully focused on spending her time left with her children making cherished memories, as well as crossing off things she has always wanted to do.
And she now wants her legacy to be that others understand her message that they should make the most of their time on this planet.
The mother-of-two is refusing to go down without a fight and is seeking alternatives in an attempt to battle her illness
However, with no partner or second parent to the children, provisions have been made so that the kids will be looked after by her cousin when the time comes
‘Go out there, have fun and smile, live for me, do anything,’ she said.
‘Anything you’ve fancied doing but have put off doing, do it now – the crazier the better. ‘Make sure you’ve written your will, tell people how you feel, love them.’
And she even says that things all of would consider to be good for society should perhaps be put to one side to spend more time with loved ones.
‘Don’t do runs and raise money for charity,’ she said.
‘Instead, offer your time, spend time and listen to friends, neighbours and strangers.
Ms McConnell is fully focused on spending her time left with her children making cherished memories, as well as crossing off things she has always wanted to do
‘Whilst in the hospital, I’ve heard scared people crying themselves to sleep despite having all the medical care and medicine.
‘A friendly person offering their hand and just an ear to listen to them does so much for their mental and physical recovery and does for anyone, not just in a hospital situation.
‘Having someone listen helps. Smile at a stranger, say hello.
‘You may be the only person who speaks to them that day. If you see something nice about someone, compliment them on it.’
In the meantime, those closest are rallying around to help support the family – and Tina Bessell, her friend for 18 years, says it is cruel that such a horrible situation has befallen such an undeserving person.
And she now wants her legacy to be that others understand her message that they should make the most of their time on this planet
‘Sam is the most energetic, fun and upbeat woman you could ever care to meet,’ said the 49-year-old.
‘She is a bundle of raw energy, who is so determined and positive. I can’t believe how she is coping so well – I don’t think I could.
‘Her positivity is inspiring and her ability to take it in her stride is awesome.’
‘I am crushed, sad, and devastated for her,’ she said as she talked about Ms McConnell’s children.
‘Knowing she is going to miss their future is heartbreaking.
‘She put everything on the line for them – she is completely devoted to them. She is not down yet and is still fighting. I just hope in my heart that she can beat the odds.’
While her brother said in a heartfelt tribute: ‘She’s more bothered about others than herself.’
Funds are being raised to support the children in the event that Miss McConnell passes away. A crowd-funder has already raised over £14,000. To find out more information about the fund-raising campaign.