Mum-of-two Roisin Pelan was 34 weeks pregnant with her daughter, Ivy, when she was given the devastating news that she had breast cancer six years ago.
The brave author was determined to fight the disease so she could watch her beloved little girl grow up and share precious memories with her partner, Michael.
After a gruelling three-day labour, Roisin gave birth to little Ivy but was given just six days to recover before she was whisked away for a single masectomy.
Roisin said: "I wasn't excited to give birth. When I was going to be induced, I remember thinking that I should be excited and nervous, but I was just desperate to get the baby out safely and start treatment.
"The birth was long, and I was terrified. Even the midwife was in tears. The whole experience was so emotional, and I was exhausted.
"When I saw Ivy, it was instant love, but instant terror. All that was going through my head was: 'What if I have to leave her?'"
The detemined mum fought back but then on what should have been the date she was told she had been in remission, Roisin was dealt another heartbreaking blow.
Her cancer had returned - and was incurable.
However, Roisin, who has launched her own website as she battles her illness to give hope to other people, has refused to give up.
While her disease is still classed as incurable she has regular chemotherapy to manage it and is hopeful for the future.
The coronavirus lockdown has been a huge blow - her chemo had to be temporarily stopped while hospitals dealt with Covid-19 and her wedding, planned for later this year has had to be postponed.
Classed as one of the most vulnerable in society, Roisin has been told she must remain at home throughout the lockdown, unable to even go out to exercise or buy essentials.
But she's making the most of her time with her little girl and is looking forward to planning her wedding, which is now due to take place next year.
Her fiance Michael Brown has opened up about what it's like to live with someone battling incurable cancer - and he's revealed a heartbreaking regret.
Michael explained: "I feel ripped off that we never had a ‘normal’ experience of being parents to Ivy as a newborn - living in carefree bliss/blind panic as first time parents.
"We’ve seen some real dark days over the years and it does get to you eventually.
"You have moments every now and then where you hit a lull and find yourself playing out all sorts of doomsday scenarios - it’s horrible.
"Waiting on scan results is the absolute worst, but the relief when the phone call comes with good news is so good."
However, he insists there are positives to life with cancer.
Michael said: "On the other hand some of the most amazingly happy moments of our lives have happened in the last six years that might otherwise not have happened had things been different.
"So although cancer is a bastard, we have had so many beautiful moments already with so many more to come that it’s really not worth wasting the energy complaining."
And he has nothing but praise for Roisin, who he describes as "hard as nails".
Michael said: "The physical and mental beating she has taken for the last six years is incredible, yet she maintains such a positive glow and it’s infectious.
"She is living proof that the power of a positive mindset should not be underestimated. Since day one she has held her head high and turned so many negatives into so many positives and that is why I love her so much."
Michael was right behind his beloved fiancee when she had to have a mastectomy and said he was "blown away" by her bravery.
He added: "I was more proud that she had the bravery and determination to push for the operation than her losing her breasts.
"Roisin always knew that if she ever got cancer she would have them whipped off. If anything it made me adore her even more. Plus she has the badass scars to scare the grandkids with."
Although Michael does admit that support is lacking when it comes to the partners of loved ones fighting this cruel disease.
He said: "The mental stress placed on those closest is massive. Even though you’re not going through the treatment personally, it’s still devastating, and I don’t think there’s anything in place to support the partner or family through the worst moments of their lives."
But he urged those who are in his position to support their partners in anyway they can.
Michael said: "Be optimistic even though it doesn’t feel like there’s much to be optimistic about at the moment - there are so many different treatment options available now and cancer survival rates are very good.
"Read as much as possible, find out what alternative therapies your partner could try alongside treatment.
"Exercise, the rainbow diet, keto diet, cannabis oil, turmeric, spirulina, anti-inflammatory treatments, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, alkaline water, etc can be beneficial and allows you to take back at least some control during this whole mess.
"And lastly, don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion if you’re both not happy with the way you are being treated - as Roisin says 'they won’t lose any sleep over it, but you will'."
And one thing Michael is determined to do is to look forward to the future.
In 20 years time he says he sees himself and Roisin "Roisin trying to tag along to gigs with the kids".
He added: " I hope we’ll be cool parents and I hope they’ll like good music. Just to be healthy and happy with my Roisin, that’s what it’s all about. That’s the life for me."
Roisin herself says her husband is her rock.
She added: "I think people can underestimate how much the other person in the relationship can be impacted, especially Michael who has always been so utterly chilled.
"He holds so much on his shoulders but still holds us all together and I love him for it. As much as we love our kids, we both cannot wait for some date nights again once we’re released into the wild."
You can visit Roisin website Fighty Pants on Facebook or Instagram.
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