Mum-of-three Charnjit Singh is defying all the odds to battle stomach cancer - just over a year after doctors said all hope had gone.

The 54-year-old's family were devastated when she was told she had stage four stomach cancer 18 months ago. The cancer had spread to other parts of the body and the prognosis did not look good for Charnjit.

But Charnjit is no ordinary woman, according to her family. They describe her as one of the most determined people they know; someone who never gives up, qualities which have served the Burton mum well as she has battled through her illness to make every day count.

She was even told by doctors in March last year that there was nothing more they could do, but Charnjit digged even deeper for resolve - and came out fighting, say her amazed family.

Charnjit Singh, 54
Charnjit Singh, 54

Daughter Sukhpreet Kaur, 34, said: "I cannot begin to tell you how devastating this news was for all of us.

"However, I knew my mum would never give up and that she is a true fighter.

"She was so determined not to let cancer dictate her life that she researched lots of alternative therapies and sought a second opinion."

Charnjit had been suffering abdominal pains in 2016 but didn't initially think much of it.

She was initially given pain killers but when they did not relieve what was by now agonising pain, Charnjit visited A&E at Royal Derby Hospital where tests found a large fibroid attached to the ovaries in her womb.

It transpired this was a secondary tumour and further tests revealed the devastating news that Charnjit had stomach cancer.

Sukhpreet said: "They sent tests away and at the time we weren't sure whether it was a precaution or something they tend to do.

"When the results came back her results showed some cancerous growth on them.

"From the type of cells they were it was a secondary tumour."

Charnjit, then 52, returned to hospital for further tests in October 2016 on her stomach. Doctors found a small suspicious-looking ulcer that was also sent off for testing.

Sukhpreet said: "It came back to be cancerous, and at that point they diagnosed her with stomach cancer.

Charnjit and Sukhpreet
Charnjit and Sukhpreet

"It was a massive shock. I think it was just the nurse being reassuring that day and not knowing what it was the consultant had seen. At that point you are just hoping everything is okay.

"When the diagnosis came through it hit me that much harder.

"Me and my sister did a bit of Googling which we were trying not to do. Maybe I just buried my head in the sand.

"It made it that much harder when I got the news because I hadn't let myself believe that's what it would be. You're hoping they've got it wrong."

In March 2017, customer service employee Charnjit was told by her consultant at the time that there was nothing more they could do.

With no operation or cure in sight, Charnjit underwent palliative chemotherapy in December 2017, a treatment designed for terminal cancer patients to prolong survival and ease symptoms.

After an eight-month search, Charnjit found a consultant she thought could help her and doctors were astounded that her cancer had remained stable since she was diagnosed. They were also taken aback by her positivity, strength and determination, says Sukhpreet.

Charnjit
Charnjit

Charnjit's case was even discussed in several cancer conferences and a plan of action was quickly drawn up.

In December 2017, following countless tests and examinations, Charnjit's new consultant and the team took the decision to fully remove her stomach.

Sukhpreet said: "Despite our concerns surrounding the operation, my family and I were ecstatic at the thought of the cancer being eradicated.

"The operation was successful but the initial elation soon faded as we were told that her cancer had spread into some of her lymph nodes and her peritoneum, the part of her stomach that cannot be removed."

As the stomach sends signals to the brain when it is full, Charnjit now has to eat in very small portions. Overeating can lead to feeling nauseous or sick as she never feels too full.

"It turned everything upside-down," Sukhpreet said.

"She hasn't been able to work. Her main priority is getting herself fit and healthy and in a position to deal with all the medical procedures she has had to go through.

"It's been about 18 months since the diagnosis and life hasn't been normal since."

Charnjit is now undertaking natural treatments and remedies in a private clinic in Germany alongside traditional ones, including supplements, exercises and natural treatments.

Charnjit is now undergoing natural treatment alongside chemotherapy
Charnjit is now undergoing natural treatment alongside chemotherapy

Charnjit's natural treatment works alongside her conventional treatment of chemotherapy. The natural remedies are to minimise the side-effects of chemotherapy and fight whatever traces of cancer are left in the system, but there is no proof that it can completely eradicate stomach cancer.

"The main remedy she's been having is various infusions, with the main one being vitamin C," Sukhpreet said.

"With it being an infusion it goes straight into the blood and flushes out your blood.

"It's not actually fighting the cancer itself but at the very least it's boosting her immune system."

Now, Sukhpreet is hoping to raise £15,000 to cover the cost of the last of Charnjit's natural treatment to hopefully make a full recovery.

She said: "The fund-raising has been amazing. I put up the link on my Facebook page and within a few days we raised about £2,000 and that was just through a few of my friends and family members.

"She's not in remission and she's not got a prognosis.

"I think she hasn't really asked for one while she's been undergoing treatment. She's more just trying to focus on the positive instead of going down that depressing route."

To donate towards Charnjit's natural treatment remedies, visit here.