Inspirational Birmingham Nurse bravely shares the story of her cancer journey
Debs Hodges from Birmingham was 30 weeks pregnant when she received some devastating news. The 32-year-old was diagnosed with aggressive stage 3 breast cancer.
However, Debs defied all the odds and, now in remission, has returned to work as a staff nurse at Birmingham Children's Hospital, where she was presented with an award to mark her incredible progress.
Debs explained: "I was 30 weeks pregnant with our first baby when I found a lump in my breast. Following a biopsy, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. It was just devastating. My whole world came crashing down and I just couldn't stop crying.”
Debs' pregnancy hormones were making her cancer more aggressive, so treatment had 
to begin straight away. After undergoing surgery she received 15 rounds of chemotherapy at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QE), two of which were carried out while pregnant. After two rounds of chemotherapy while pregnant, Debs was induced and gave birth to her baby boy Noah at Birmingham Women's Hospital.
She said: "It was a very traumatic time. I just remember thinking, I don't want to die. I was determined to get through the treatment. The birth went well and my little boy was healthy. I was over the moon. But shortly after, I was back having my third round of chemotherapy. I was three weeks postpartum and very emotional. I'm not sure how I got through it but the nurses and the team at the QE were really supportive and helped me through it."
She continued to have chemotherapy and also underwent a ten-hour surgery to remove the cancer. Last summer, she received the fantastic news that she was in remission.
Debs, who has worked at the Children’s Hospital for more than eight years in the intensive care unit, said: "I felt like the biggest weight had been lifted. It was the most incredible news. I could just focus on being a mum and I was so excited to get back to normality and be back at work doing what I love.
"I absolutely love my job. Watching children recovering after being really poorly, it's just so rewarding. Their resilience really inspired me.
"Nursing is a wonderful profession, and working for the Children's Hospital is especially inspiring. I am surrounded by such knowledgeable and caring people. My team have been so kind to me throughout my cancer journey and have supported me throughout. They are like my second family."
In June 2024, Debs won Star of the Month, the Trust's coveted monthly staff award, to mark her inspiring journey. She was also nominated for her work outside her normal role. Debs creates information flashcards for nurses to support their learning and has also built a successful Instagram account about nursing.
She said: "I was so honoured to win this award, especially alongside such incredible nominees. It was so lovely of my team to nominate me, it really meant a lot."
Debs continues to receive care and check-ups at the QE but has now returned to work doing what she loves.