'I was told I have terminal breast cancer after having baby but still feel lucky'

EXCLUSIVE: 'I was told I have terminal breast cancer after having baby but still feel lucky'When she was pregnant, Harriet Lawler found a lump under her arm. Now living with incurable cancer, the doting mum shares why she won't give up fighting, for the daughter's sakeNewsJulia Sidwell and Hannah Britt, Senior Reporter Mirror Features09:00, 12 Apr 2026View 8 ImagesHarriet with her husband Joe and their daughter Nellie. Harriet found a lump hours before her baby shower, and weeks before her due date(Image: Supplied)Having endured chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and 16 rounds of radiotherapy, Harriet Lawler thought she could finally enjoying being a mum again when she was told her cancer was gone. Nine months later and with a holiday in Mauritius with her husband Joe and young daughter Nellie to look forward to, the charity worker was hoping a pain in her arm would prove to be nothing of concern.‌But when the results came back last May, Harriet’s worst fears were realised. She says: “I was at work when the surgeon phoned and said there were four nodules on my lungs. I was stunned. I never expected the cancer to have spread to my lungs.” The triple negative breast cancer was now at stage 4. Although treatable, it was incurable. Harriet says: “I left work to call Joe in the car and was sobbing in disbelief. My world stopped when I was told my cancer was incurable, but I still feel lucky to have an amazing husband, the best little girl and wonderful family and friends. I cherish every day.”‌READ MORE: 'I tried the £2,500 celebrity-loved full body scan - one thing really shocked me'Harriet’s cancer journey began as she was getting ready for her baby shower in August 2023. Growing up in Middlesbrough, she and her pals had picked York for the celebration later that day. Harriet, then 33, says: “I was in the shower when I felt a lump in my left armpit. It felt quite big and I had no idea how long it had been there. I’d heard you can get lumpy armpits...