A mother who was "devastated” after being diagnosed with a rare tumour has vowed to never lose hope.

Julieanne Chambers, of Willow Way, Potters Bar, found out she had acromegaly, which causes tumours on the pituitary gland that affect the body’s hormone levels, in March 2013.

Before her diagnosis, the 42-year-old had ten years of puzzling symptoms – during which she noticed her hands, feet and jaw were growing and began experiencing hot flushes.

Mrs Chambers went to the dentist who immediately referred her to Watford General Hospital and she was diagnosed with the condition, which affects one in three people a year, the same day.

But instead of worrying about herself, her biggest fear was about leaving her nine-year-old daughter Mia and husband Robert behind.

She said: “I didn’t have a clue what was happening to my body, I thought I was going mad. I begged the dentist to help me because my jaw was so big I couldn’t bite down on my teeth.

“When I was diagnosed my mind went into spins. I was gutted, I felt really devastated. I don’t remember driving myself home that day, it’s odd. All I could think of was Mia.

“I only went in to get my teeth sorted, but by the evening I found out I had a serious condition. It was a scary time.”

Acromegaly causes the body to produce too much growth hormone, meaning the spleen, liver, bowel and heart can all become enlarged.

The hostel manager underwent a series of tests before having an operation in June last year, although only half of the tumour could be removed.

She added: “I looked it up online and all of my symptoms suddenly clicked in to place. It’s a very surreal feeling because you know what’s going on but your mind can’t understand it.

“I was really scared but Mia was so brave – she was so good. We’ve always been honest with her and told her what’s going on.

“I look back at the photos of my face now and I can see how big it was. After the operation, that started to go down.”

Although doctors were unable to remove the whole tumour, she is still expected to lead a long life as long as her hormone levels are under control, but she has to be regularly monitored.

She is now pouring all of her efforts into raising money for charity the National Brain Appeal , which has supported her and her family in the last year.

In October, she raised £800 at a coffee morning and a pyjama party at Our Lady and St Vincent Church, in Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, at the end of October.

She said: “I was really pleased to raise the money. I thought I need to start giving back and now I’m better than I was before so it’s good to get up and do something positive.”