AT just 29-years-old, a Lochgelly mum and her family are facing the reality of terminal cancer in a journey no one should have to go through. 

Little over a year ago Kayleigh Rendall went to the GP concerned about irregular bleeding, but it wasn't until five months later that she was referred to a specialist. 

Partner Andrew Dick, 27, told the Press:"Kayleigh was diagnosed with cervical cancer but that has now become lymphatic so it could spread anywhere. Currently it's in her lungs and she has a tumour on her lip. She first went to the GP in December 2015 because she'd had two weeks of bleeding but the doctor was unhelpful. 

"She pretty much went every week for five months after that and was eventually given an appointment to see a gynaecologist in May 2016. Just a couple of days before the appointment she collapsed. The whole of that period she had been feeling unwell, she was tired and lethargic which are all signs of cervical cancer."

Kayleigh collapsed because of a low blood count, with only 4 pints of blood in her system her organs had started to shut down. On May 25, 2016, the mum of three was diagnosed with a tumour the size of an orange on her cervix. 

Andrew continued: "Chemo made Kayleigh really ill at first but after all the treatment things seemed to be going well, we were told that the tumour was shrinking. We were then told to wait for 12 weeks but the tumour had not shrunk as much as they hoped. 

"By January we found out the cancer was terminal and she had 18 months to live. This is not something you would think you would have to contemplate in your 20s. You're normally thinking about cars and buying a house.

"But it changes your outlook on life and you realise what's important."

Andrew had to give up his job in construction to look after his daughter Bethanny, 4, son Ollie, 2, and step-son Hayden, 11. As a member of the Fife Southern Rugby Club, his team mates are rallying around the family by organising a charity to match in aid of the Victoria Hospice in Kirkcaldy this Saturday. 

He added:"Kayleigh is going to continue with chemo and keep going as long as she can but also balancing that there needs to be a quality of life with the kids. Hayden understands what's going on but he's coping with it well, he's mature for his age. He comes to rugby training with me and I think it takes his mind of things. 

"Bethany is a little bit aware that her mum's not well and she found it weird when Kayleigh's head was shaved, but for Ollie nothing phases him. 

"I tend to not think about what's happening too much because you've got jobs to do and if you started to think about it would probably be bad. As time goes on though I start to think about how am I going to tell the kids. For a while I thought 'why us?' but we're no different to anyone else."

Andrew's childhood friend Mark has organised the charity match that is taking place on April 15 at Harley Street, Rosyth at 3pm. The Fife team will be playing in a 80s themed kit against rivals the Caledonian Thebans RFC and each player will be sponsored. The team are hoping to raise over £4,000.