Michelle’s car after the accident
A pregnant mum’s life was saved thanks to a car crash – after doctors discovered she was suffering from a potentially deadly cancer.
Michelle Cartwright, 32, suffered minor leg injuries when an off-duty police officer smashed into her new Nissan Duke in June last year.
But she went back to her GP six weeks later in August when the her right limb remained swollen.
Michelle – who was pregnant at the time – underwent an MRI scan and doctors were stunned when they discovered a tumour in her leg.
She then underwent painful bone tissue tests before medics gave her the devastating news she had Liposarcoma, a rare form of cancer, in October.
Doctors told Michelle she needed to have her daughter as early as possible so she was induced and baby Lilly was born on December 4.
Lilly had to be induced early because of the diagnosis
Incredibly, the bouncing baby girl weighed 6lbs 14oz and was completely healthy despite being delivered five weeks and six days premature.
Michelle then received the radiotherapy treatment every weekday for 25 days before undergoing surgery to received the tumour on her leg on April 13 this year.
Incredibly, the lucky forecourt attendant has now been told medics are “99.9 per cent certain” the cancer has now gone.
The mum-of-three says the car crash had saved her life.
Michelle, who lives in Tamworth, Staffs., with her partner Darren, 32, and two other children Zac, 13, and Ellie, 11, added: “I was on my way to work and an off-duty police officer crashed into me.
“It was just an accident, it was nobody’s fault.
“I was taken to hospital but they didn’t think I had anything too serious.
“But I went back to my GP six weeks after the crash when I still couldn’t bend my legs because they were so swollen and I was getting pins and needles.
“I was 28 weeks pregnant by then so I was very worried about my baby.
“It never occurred to me that I might have cancer so it was a complete shock when they told me it was a possibility.
“Looking back, that accident saved my life. I was very lucky I had a car crash.”
“At the hospital they told me I could have gone five or even ten years and it would have been too late by then.
Pictures taken after Michelle’s surgery
“After the operation I was told they are 99.9 per cent certain it has all gone but I am still going back every three months for check -ups.”
Michelle suffered further complications within days of Lilly being born when she was diagnosed with a kidney stone.
But doctors decided to insert a stent rather than operate so she could have radiotherapy for 25 days before the tumour in her leg was removed.
The brave mum ran Cancer Research’s Race for Life at Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield, West Mids., last weekend.
She added: “It was tough, but it was great.
“I have 42 staples in the back of my leg now and I can’t bend my knee but I was determined to take part in Race for Life and said I’d do it even if I have to be wheeled round.
“It was a challenge but I feel very lucky to be alive and I wanted to give something back because, without research, my cancer may not have been detected in time.”
* Liposarcoma is a malignant tumour that arises in fat cells in deep soft tissue, like the inside of the thigh.
It is a rare type of cancer that bears a resemblance to fat cells when examined under a microscope and symptoms of pain often only occur when the tumour is very large.
Michelle says the car crash for saved her life
