Journalists have rallied round a regional daily colleague who found out she had cancer while pregnant with her second child.

Editorial staff at the Manchester Evening News have sent their support to Amy Parkinson, who is currently battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of blood cancer.

Amy, who works in the newspaper’s marketing department, was six months pregnant when she was diagnosed and underwent one course of chemotherapy before the arrival of her son Finley.

The 29-year-old spoke to MEN family and kids writer Emma Gill about her ordeal.

Amy with her two sons

She said: “Being told I was their main priority as a patient rather than considering the baby, that was the hardest time emotionally.

“It’s a massive thing to be pregnant and equally as big to be told you’ve got cancer. When it’s both, there are so many different emotions and hormones.

“I was told to prepare myself that I might not be able to continue with the pregnancy. That’s something that will be burnt into my memory forever.”

Amy, who also has a 20-month-old son called Arthur with husband Andrew, has received support from the Mummy’s Star charity which helps women diagnosed with cancer during and shortly after pregnancy.

Her initial bout of chemotherapy has had a partial effect on her tumour but she is now on a more aggressive course, which includes more regular infusions and up to 40 tablets a day.

Amy added: “On those dark days it’s hard to see myself with no hair and with this line in my arm – you almost feel like you’re losing yourself. But the next day is a new day, I’ll feel a little bit better and I’ll cuddle my baby, thankful that he’s OK and I’ve got my family.

“I’m just lucky that Andy is such a brilliant dad and is so hands-on. I appreciate my family and friends so much.

“when I come out the other side, I’ll never take anything for granted again. I look forward to the day when I can just get up and have a normal day without taking any tablets – just enjoy the ordinary.”

Since sharing her story with MEN, colleagues have offered messages of support.

On Twitter, crime reporter John Scheerhout wrote: “So brave of Amy Parkinson to talk about this. Best of luck to her and Andy. We’re all with you.”

Yakub Qureshi, content editor for live news and sport, added: “My colleagues Amy and Andy Parkinson are in a tough place. Every single person at [the MEN] is behind them.”