There was not a dry eye in sight when Amanda Booth walked down the aisle on Valentine’s Day.
The terminally ill mum-of-three had one of her dreams come true when she renewed her wedding vows in front of family and friends.
And the 28-year-old looked stunning in her gown - making husband David tearful when she arrived at St Francis of Assisi Church in Acklam, Middlesbrough.
Amanda was diagnosed with cervical cancer last June after being “too scared” to have a smear test.
Following bouts of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, doctors have said nothing more can be done, leaving Amanda facing a race against time to complete a “bucket list”.
She can now say two things have been ticked off, as not only has she renewed her vows, she also had two of her children, 11-year-old Demi-Lee and Leon, eight, baptised during the ceremony.
“I’m so happy,” said Amanda. “It’s a dream come true.
“David was more nervous than me,” she laughed.
“I was,” he added. “She looks beautiful.”
Amanda, also mum to Lucas, five, was given the devastating news she had cervical cancer seven months ago after suffering heavy bleeding.
“I went to the doctor and was told there was a growth but I didn’t think anything of it,” she said. “I never thought I would have cancer.”
But two days later, Amanda started haemorrhaging again and had to call an ambulance.
A week later she learned the growth was cancer.
Amanda, who had never had a smear test due to being “too scared” to undergo the procedure, then went for regular chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment at Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital.
“It did shrink at first but now I have been told there is nothing more they can do,” she said.
“An operation was never an option so now it is just about keeping me comfortable.
“I have told the boys that mummy is really poorly but Demi-Lee knows,” added Amanda, who has lost eight stone since her diagnosis.
“She worries a lot but I wanted her to know. I didn’t want to keep anything from her.”
Now determined to make as may precious memories as possible, Amanda also plans to go bowling, and has been offered a free visit to Hollywood Bowl at Teesside Park, and visit Redcar amusements.
She also wanted to go on holiday to Whitby, and thanks to a post on Facebook, the owner of Whitby Holiday Cottages is donating a free four-night stay.
“I would say to all women ‘go and get your smear tests done’,” she said.
“I wish I did.
“I did have an appointment but I cancelled it. I was scared about the procedure but looking back, what I am going through now is obviously far worse.”
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