The 42-year-old has been told by doctors to enjoy every day of the life she has left.

It's strengthened her resolve to cherish the love of the family around her.



JEAN Steel is woken every morning by five children shaking her awake.

All of them fear the day she won't wake up.

But Jean, 42, adores her own version of a morning wake-up call. It's the best feeling in the world to open her eyes and be surrounded by her loved ones, she says.

... more feature stories from Mail2

"I love my family but when something like this happens you realise how much they really mean to you and how important every moment is," said the Milbank Road resident.

Ever since she found out she is terminally ill with cancer, lung cancer victim Jean has devoted every second of her final days to being with her family.

She has known for over two months she is living on borrowed time after doctors told her to 'enjoy every day' after finding out a transplant would not work.

Medics told the mum of five in December that despite receiving offers from family members prepared to give her a lung she would not survive a transplant and nothing could be done to stop the fatal disease.

After overcoming the initial shock she decided to be as strong for her family who are starting to imagine a life without her around.

The family is made up of husband Raymond, 51, and children Maria, 13, Raymond, 12, Shauna-Leigh, 11, Tia-Leioni, eight, and six-year-old Kevin.

Jean, who worked in a crisp factory, said: "The children have been upset but they have been ok and my husband has been a rock and is trying to get on with things as much as possible.

"My youngest keeps asking me how much longer I have to go and I have to tell him to just wait and see. Its heartbreaking every time he asks."

After finding out the devastating news Jean did not have the strength to tell her children she won't be around to see them grow up.

Her twin sister, June, 42, stepped in to help and told the kids the truth about their mum.

"I just couldn't tell them. To be honest I think I am still in shock myself but my family have been brilliant and are helping me through it," said Jean.

"Family is really important to me and I have great memories of days out camping and trips out to Seaton Carew and I will take them all with me."

Jean says she can not imagine her family not having her around but has noticed they are already starting to change the way they act.

"In the last few weeks the eldest, Maria, has been like a mum to the others. I know they'll be in good hands when I go even though she definitely rules with an iron fist as she's a bit bossy.

"We don't really talk about the illness as we want to have as much fun as possible in the time left but they all know I haven't got long and I think they understand that I won't be around.

"But for now we are getting on with life as normal as possible."

But one event in the family's future is definitely out of the norm as Jean has been honoured with turning on Blackpool illuminations with the blessing of Blackpool Council – despite the official turn on being in September.

The Steels are heading for a five-star weekend in Blackpool at the end of the month thanks to Streamline Taxis who have raised more than £2,000, which was donated by the people of Hartlepool.

Her sister is also making the trip with her husband Edward, 50, and their three children, Christine, 18, Iris, 16, and 14-year-old Kristen.