Mum reveals incredible tale of survival

Oct 20 2006 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

MIDLAND mum-of-two Angie Osborn appreciates every second that she can breathe, smile and kiss her young children.

For the 46-year-old suffered more in four months than most women will in a lifetime.

Battler Angie was struck with meningitis, breast cancer, a life-threatening blood disorder and even suffered a miscarriage.

But the former Birmingham businesswoman has survived and is now an inspirational hope for other victims.

Angie, who lives near Belbroughton, Stourbridge, said: "The only way I have got through it is to believe it happened for a reason."

Angie, who has lives with dentist husband Ian and children Matthew, aged eight and Jamie, three, was rushed to hospital with viral meningitis in October 2004, just four weeks after suffering a miscarriage.

But three months later, Angie discovered a lump in her right breast and was diagnosed with cancerous tumours.

"After the biopsy I got a phone call asking me to go back almost straight away and alarm bells began to ring," said Angie.

"When the specialist told me I had breast cancer all I could think about were my children.

"I was convinced I would die and never see them grow up. I started writing letters in my head for the children to read when they got older. I remember saying to my mum - 'what have I done to deserve this?'"

Angie, who worked for Central TV in Birmingham and Allied Maples, West Bromwich, before working as a business director for Wolverhampton Grammar School, needed an operation to remove her breast plus chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

That is when she was hospitalised with blood disorder neutropenia, a side effect of cancer treatment when the body finds it hard to fight infection.

"Now I've come through it and my whole life has changed," said Angie.

The brave mum is urging people to support Cancer Research UK's All Join Together campaign to boost funds for vital breast cancer research projects.