A woman who had to terminate her unborn baby after developing a rare for of cancer has embarked on a mission to raise awareness of the condition by taking part in Courage on the Catwalk.
On what was meant to be one of the happiest days of her life, thirty-eight-year-old Debbie Robb was given the devastating news that she had developed cancer during her 12-week scan.
As a result of the diagnosis, medics warned her that she would no longer be able to continue with the pregnancy and that she would have to have an operation.
Mrs Robb, who works in logistics in the fertiliser industry, was flown to London following complications with the surgery.
“It was a molar pregnancy, which leads to a rare form of cancer which no one really knows about,” she said.
“I had a tiny bit of spotting but no pain and hadn’t been ill at all.
“There is a lack of awareness which is my reason for doing Courage on the Catwalk.”
Diagnosed with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in early 2016, she began chemotherapy on her 37th birthday while in London at Charing Cross Hospital.
Her hormone levels made her resistant to the chemotherapy and the regular travel to London for treatment wasn’t practical, so she asked to be transferred to ARI.
“I was in ward 310 I think. It was nice if I can say the work “nice”. Friends of Anchor gave us things like body lotion, because your skin becomes very dry. The cold fruit pots helped because I had eczema in my mouth.
“I would be in chemo for about two and a half hours and they would put on Wimbledon, which made it more comfortable.”
Mrs Robb still posts regular samples to Charing Cross Hospital where they will continue to monitor her.
She also is a member of some forums where women help each other and share their experiences since so little is known about the diagnosis, which is caused by an imbalance of genetic material in a pregnancy.
“I was a case study for a student in London, but there’s not much research that is Aberdeen related. I would like to think that some of the funds raised would go towards Anchor unit research,” said Mrs Robb.
“Most folk catch it before their 12 week scan. We have to wait a year before trying again because of the chemo, but we are pretty confidant, so fingers crossed.”
Mrs Robb, who lives in Stonehaven, first heard about Friends of Anchor and Courage on the Catwalk through visiting ARI and was encouraged to apply for the charity catwalk show by her family.
“I thought, ‘let’s do it.’ Any awareness is good.
“I’m looking forward to seeing my folks in the crowds,” she said.
“I like getting dolled up but I am also comfy in my denims,” said Mrs Robb, who is celebrating her second wedding anniversary soon with her husband Ian, also 38.
