AN inspirational mum-of-two who received a devastating breast cancer diagnosis months after she’d finally set her wedding date has told of her brave battle with the terrible illness.

When Michelle Watson agreed to a proposal from her partner of over 20 years Craig in November 2022 she expected the year that followed to be filled with nothing but excitement and happiness.

But she was left stunned four months later, when doctors delivered the news that she had stage three breast cancer.

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Despite the dreadful diagnosis, the courageous 43-year-old went ahead with her big day as planned and got married in the midst of her treatment.  

Greenock Telegraph: Brave Greenock mum planning fundraising trek after beating breast cancer.

The Greenock mum has now beaten the disease after undergoing multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a mastectomy.

Now she is taking part in a five-day trek through the Brecon Beacons alongside popular British celebrities to raise cash for breast cancer charity CoppaFeel.

She told the Tele: “At first, I thought it could be nothing, that I was just getting a bit older or something like that.

“I have private healthcare through work and so I went up to Ross Hall on a Tuesday night at six o’clock and by seven I had been told that I had stage three breast cancer.

“It wasn’t even a year after my mum had passed away. We had to wait a week on the CT scan and they were really worried it had spread and they were looking at stage four.

“When we got the results the doctor told me they really thought they were going to be giving me the worst possible news."

The bombshell came at what should have been one of the happiest times of Michelle's life.

She said: “We had been together 23 years but had only just decided to set a date for the wedding because life was always getting in the way of it.

“It was touch and go for a while whether the cancer was going to spread because my lymph nodes were covered, so we didn’t know how it was going to turn out.

“We weren’t sure about whether to go ahead with the wedding, but we just thought we should go for it.

“I had chemo on the Thursday and went over to the Lodge at Loch Lomond to get married on the Friday."

Michelle now hopes to highlight the importance of checking for signs of breast cancer regularly, so the disease can be diagnosed as early as possible.

She said: “It’s a horrible feeling to think that I could have left my weans without their mum because I was thinking I should get it checked later on.

“It was close to me not being here, it’s scary to think about.”

After her diagnosis, Michelle underwent a gruelling 16 week round of chemo, followed by her surgery and radiotherapy.

While the treatment was effective in dealing with the disease, it took its toll on Michelle.

Greenock Telegraph: Brave Greenock mum planning fundraising trek after beating breast cancer.

She added: “I was on a chemo called the ‘red devil’ which was meant to be the worst thing ever.

“After my second red devil I was sitting in the house on a Saturday night and it felt as if my hair was moving.

“I got up the next day and when I was in the bath it was just coming out in chunks in my hand.”

Michelle says her family and friends helped put a smile on her face throughout her treatment.

She said: “My husband actually said at his speech in the wedding that 'Phil Mitchell had scrubbed up no' bad', because I had no hair!

“We’ve always had humour during this, that’s been a big part of what’s helped me through.”

After finishing her radiotherapy earlier this month, Michelle is now preparing to take part in CoppaFeel’s 100km fundraising trek later this year.

She will be joined on the walk by I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here winner Giovanna Fletcher and a number of other famous faces including Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden.

Michelle has also organised a ‘Boobs and Bangers’ fundraiser in Royal Gourock Yacht Club later this year, which will feature local DJ Bruce Glenny.

She hopes the money and awareness raised can help prevent others from going through the same experiences that she has.

Greenock Telegraph: Brave Greenock mum planning fundraising trek after beating breast cancer.

She said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge even though I know it will be rough.

“I’m looking for sponsorship for it, I’ve got a minimum of £2,000 to fundraise and it would be a big help if anyone interested could get in touch.

“People have been so kind to me throughout this, it’s been incredible.”

“I just wanted to put my story out there so people know. I’ve actually had people come back and say that since they heard what happened to me they’ve went and got checked and caught something at the early stages.

“If I can help one person it’s worth it.”

Those who wish to donate to Michelle’s fundraiser can do so at http://tinyurl.com/yutkujmm.

Michelle is also seeking sponsorship from local businesses to help with her donation drive and can be reached through her Facebook page or the JustGiving link.