Greenock woman who fought cancer during Covid-19 thanks medics who saved her life

Mum-of-three Maureen Black was left stunned when doctors delivered the devastating news that she had a tumour in her ovaries.

She faced a major operation to save her life and then chemotherapy to keep the cancer cells away.

As her hair started to fall out Maureen refused to give in or wear a wig and her husband Jamie decided to shave his head as well in a show of support.

Together they raised nearly thousands of pounds for the Beatson and now Maureen now wants to heighten awareness of the cancer to help others.

The 61-year-old, from Wellington Street, has told the Tele how she was determined to recover the second she was diagnosed.

Maureen said: "Right from the moment I was diagnosed I didn't cry.

"I was shocked but I thought to myself 'I need to be the strong one here'.

"I just said I am going to fight this and I will beat it.

"I'd went to the doctors with pains in my stomach and thought it was a blockage.

"The doctor thought there was something wrong and I was rushed to the IRH.

"I want to raise awareness of ovarian cancer so that other women don't suffer in silence."

After carrying out all the tests the doctors told Maureen she would need a full hysterectomy followed by chemotherapy.

Her shocked husband Jamie, along with her three girls Clare, 29, Siobhan, 27, and Colette all rallied round.

Maureen said: "We are a close family and I have a large extended family as well.

"Everyone was there for me, every single one of them and I want to say thank-you."

Two months after her diagnosis she went in to hospital for her operation and then faced her first round of chemo.

Maureen said: "I have only needed one round of chemo as my blood tests have been positive so far."

When her hair started to fall out the Greenock mum made a brave decision.

She said: "I didn't want to wear a wig, this is me and I am happy with that."

As the world went into lockdown Jamie, 61, who works for the prison service, and Maureen decided they'd both shave their heads and raise money for the Beatson.

Jamie said: "I just wanted to show my support for Maureen.

"I told her we would do it together.

"It was nothing for me really."

As Maureen recovered from her ordeal the country went into lockdown.

She said: "It has been a strange year.

"We were not able to see many people and I don't know what we would have done without our garden.

"But I wanted to raise money for the Beatson to say thank-you for my treatment.

"They saved my life.

"They are incredible and could not do enough for me.

"They helped everyone in the family."

Maureen and Jamie's joint head shave has raised nearly £3,000 for the Beatson Cancer Unit.

Now they are looking forward to the birth of their first grandchild, with Colette expecting a baby in March.

She said: "I feel great now and they are just keeping an eye on me.

"It was so nice to get the good news about the baby.

"We have a really close family and we're so excited."