Best friends win cancer fight together
They were diagnosed with cancer within two weeks of each other, best friends and neighbours Ginny Weaver and Maggie Taylor.
But after a mastectomy each, then dozens of painful radiotherapy and chemotherapy sessions, the brave pair have managed beaten off the deadly condition.
Today, both have been given the all-clear by doctors, who have told them not to return for check-ups for at least another year.
It brings a huge relief for the friends, who have stuck by each other's side throughout the ordeal, sharing each painful moment while also celebrating every milestone.
Last week, the pair went to the Rose and Crown in Bank Street, Brierley Hill, to mark the all-clear with friends and colleagues.
Hotel worker Mrs Weaver, aged 52, of Planet Road in Brierley Hill, said: "It made all the difference being in the same boat together.
"We knew what each of us was going through.
"If she was having a down day, I would go round her house and pick her up, vice versa if I was the one not feeling good.
"It got us through many difficult stages. It was never easy, though."
Pensioner Mrs Taylor, 67, said: "We kept each other positive, that was the main thing. Everyday I'd see her or ring her, it was like working as a team."
Mrs Taylor was the first to find out she had breast cancer. Having found a lump, she went for a test before receiving her results.
She called up Mrs Weaver while she was holidaying in Benirdorm. When Mrs Weaver returned, she found her test results had also come up positive for breast cancer.
The pair both had mastectomy last September before undergoing an intense course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, finally finishing in February.
Mrs Weaver had chemotherapy sessions on Christmas Eve and on her birthday, January 14.
But they got through it, and were each given the all-clear last month.
Mrs Weaver, who works at the Copthorne Hotel and is married to Colin, said: "It was a hard time looking forward back then and I'd urge anyone in that position to remain positive.
"Friends and family will support you, but you have to keep strong."
Mrs Taylor, a retired assembly worker from Bird Stevens in Quarry Bank and wife to Barry, said: "Life is resuming back to normal. It feels like a happy ending."
Mrs Taylor's brother-in-law, Les Taylor took part in a charity head-shave last year with friend Dennis Andrews at The Rose and Crown in Brierley Hill to raise £1,500 for Breast Cancer Research.
