An "inspirational" young mum who has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer after suffering from agonising back pain for a year.
Natasha Stacey, 28, was initially told her pain was caused by acute sciatica but she was later given the devastating cancer diagnosis in September this year after she begged doctors to run further tests.
A MRI scan discovered a tumour on her spine and the cancer had also spread to the the beauty therapist's brain.
The mum-of-two from Flint in Wales, has had an operation to remove the spinal tumour and is now undergoing treatment at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Merseyside.
Jessica Stacey has set up a fundraising page to help her cousin, North Wales Live reports.
She posted on it: "The road ahead will be a tough one but she is the strongest, bravest and most determined, beautiful woman.
"Tash has fire in her soul and she is a true inspiration.
"She is going to fight this and we will be with her every step of the way and I’m sure the whole of Flint will be too."
Natasha first visited her GP over a year ago and was first diagnosed with acute sciatica, but her pain later became excruciating.
After asking doctors to run more tests, an MRI scan in September this year revealed a tumour on Natasha's spine, which was later diagnosed as an 'aggressive' form of cancer.
The "brave" mum will now undergo weeks of gruelling chemotherapy over the festive period.
Natasha's family are determined she will have a "Christmas to remember" with her two young children, who are aged just seven and four.
Jessica said: "You never expect to hear this news at such a young age, and I don't think any of us thought this would be the outcome.
"We want to make this Christmas special, and make those special memories with her and for her children.
"Tash is the life and soul of the party, she's such an incredible person to be around, I definitely wouldn't have been able to handle it as well as she has."
The fundraising page has already raised more than £4,000.
To donate click here.
