Paramedic, 31, Faces Heartbreaking Cancer Recurrence After Surgery

A young paramedic has faced a heartbreaking setback after discovering that the cancer she believed she had overcome had returned and spread. Abbie Tutchings, 31, first noticed a large lump in her breast in August 2021, which led to a diagnosis of breast cancer. In October of the same year, she underwent a mastectomy. At the time, she felt she had successfully beaten the disease, as subsequent yearly mammograms showed no signs of recurrence. However, during her reconstruction surgery in November this year, surgeons found what they suspected could be more cancer.

Further tests confirmed the worst: the cancer had spread to Abbie’s lungs and ribs, and she was diagnosed with stage four, incurable cancer. This news came as a devastating blow to her family and friends, who had believed she had fully recovered.

"Doctors told me I had cancer – they were wrong," Abbie said, reflecting on the emotional journey she has endured.

Abbie had always dreamed of becoming a paramedic since she was seven years old. She moved from her hometown in The Wirral to study at Teeside University before joining the North East Ambulance Service as a front-line paramedic. Her friend and fellow paramedic, Lois Armes, described the impact of the news on their community.

"She has been through a cruel and unfair journey, being diagnosed with breast cancer in her late 20s to now the devastating news of secondary cancer. But her strength and resilience is second to none."

After undergoing a mastectomy in October 2021, Abbie went through six rounds of chemotherapy and five rounds of radiotherapy before returning to work in July 2022. Despite the challenges, she remained dedicated to her job, helping others as a paramedic.

Following the news of her latest diagnosis, Lois set up a fundraising page to support Abbie in living life to the fullest and ticking items off her bucket list. So far, the campaign has raised an impressive £8,240. The funds will also help cover treatments that may extend Abbie's time and allow her to create lasting memories.

Lois shared her thoughts on the initiative: "Not only is Abbie one of the most amazing, strongest, kind and generous people to walk this planet, she has helped care for people in her job as a front-line paramedic and it’s only right we give something back. I'm hoping we can all spare some cash to ensure Abbie can live life to the fullest and have some amazing experiences ticking things off her bucket list and make the most amazing memories."

Abbie expressed her gratitude for the support: "Honestly I am blown away by the donations and it's more than I ever could've imagined, it's shown and reminded me how loved I really am and can use it to make some wonderful memories, a booster that I never imagined I'd have."

Abbie’s mother, Lynne, shared her heartfelt response to the outpouring of support: "Your generosity and compassion during this incredibly difficult time mean more than I can express. Since Abbie’s recent diagnosis of stage four metastatic cancer, our world has changed forever — but your messages, kindness, and support have reminded us that we are not facing this alone. Your donations and the love behind them have lifted us up as we struggle to face the reality of what the future holds. We are so deeply grateful for the care and kindness you’ve shown to Abbie."

She added: "We hope to get Abbie onto treatment in the near future in an effort to slow the spread of her cancer, giving her more time to make memories and to see some of her dreams come true — and your generosity will, without doubt, play an important part in making this possible. Thank you for walking beside us and for reminding us that, even in the hardest moments, there is still so much goodness in this world."

To support Abbie, you can visit the funding page here.