A LEUKAEMIA sufferer who was told she had stage four cancer two years ago is now hoping to go on a dream trip to America after she battled back against all the odds.

Amber McEwen, who is 28 and is living with autism, had been working full time as a cleaner in February 2020 when she collapsed suddenly.

After a series of doctor’s appointments and blood tests, it dawned on her there was something seriously wrong.

She said: “I remember telling my dad I had an ache at the back of my head – I stepped outside for a bit and when I came back in I collapsed in his arms."

After she received a blood test on a Wednesday morning, Ms McEwenwas told within hours she had to go to A&E at Colchester Hospital

“You start to think ‘what’s going on?’," she said. 

“I had my test and then the doctors call me back saying they need my blood group; I’m scared of needles as well so I was getting upset.

“The next minute I’m put in this room where everyone is behind curtains.”

The reality was Ms McEwen had, without realising, actually been in stage four cancer, meaning the disease had spread to other organs in her body.

She added: “The doctors were shocked I was still walking around when I was in stage four – they said I shouldn’t have even been working.”

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The cancer was so aggressive doctors didn’t even know how long Ms McEwenhad had it for – but she soon started chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and received a stem cell transplant from her mother as surgeons battled to help her recover.

Ms McEwen, from Colchester, added: “My stem cell transplant is working so far; I’m 89 per cent of my mum but this time I’ve had a few infections – I have to be very careful what I do and don’t do.”

With it looking as if Ms McEwencan see the light at the end of the trouble, her friend, Bee Scott, is fundraising to help take her to Disney Land Florida.

Ms McEwensaid: “I’m absolutely obsessed with Disney and Mickey Mouse – we wanted to go this year but I had cancer so I couldn’t go.

“Bee and her daughter thought it would be a good idea to do a fundraiser for me because they thought I deserve it.

“In reality, I shouldn’t even be here.”

Anyone wishing to help Amber go to Disney Land can donate via: www.gofundme.com/f/GetAmberToDisney.