Laura Barr told her story as she opened the Paisley Cancer Research UK superstore which is more than five times the size of a normal store and offers members of the public advice from nurses at free fortnightly sessions

A former nurse who battled back from the brink of death after being told she had just days to live has shared her story in a bid to inspire others.

Laura Barr, 49, from Paisley was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumour but has stunned loved ones by fighting back even after her family came to say their final goodbyes.

Speaking at the opening of Cancer Research UK’s largest shop in Scotland at Phoenix Retail Park, Linwood said she is now living every moment to the full after stunning doctors by surviving to complete her treatment.

“It feels wonderful to be here today to help launch this superstore, which will raise so much for vital research in to cancer but also be such a positive force for good in the community,” she said.

“I was at rock bottom. All my family had come to say a final goodbye to me but I came back from that. I’m still here.

“When you come back from death’s door you have to do everything you can to live and love every second of your life

“When you come back from death’s door you have to do everything you can to live and love every second of your life and that’s exactly what I’m doing.

Mum of one Laura is full of optimism despite the challenges she's been through.

“I have a good life and I’m determined to keep as fit as I possibly can," she said. "Some effects of my illness are challenging but I don’t let that keep me down. I’m enjoying cycling again and living every moment.

“I hope my story inspires others going through cancer to fight it all the way.”

Laura was a busy staff nurse working in the dermatology department at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in spring 2014 when she first became unwell.

With bouts of feeling sick, exhausted and rapid weight loss she feared she may have a brain aneurysm, similar to the one which killed her brother Gary in 2006.

An MRI scan revealed the devastating news that Laura had a mass on her brain, and that October Laura endured a two hour operation to remove as much of it as possible.

Later, test results showed the tumour was cancerous, a grade three anaplastic astrocytoma. The next few weeks were heartbreaking for Laura’s husband Andy and son, Dean, 27, as they watched helplessly while Laura’s condition deteriorated. Laura was unable to walk, eat or take care of herself. Weeks later she was moved to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for what doctors described as palliative care.

Laura said: “My brain went in to meltdown and it was horrific.

“By November it looked like my body was shutting down altogether. My organs were failing and doctors had told my family I wasn’t getting out of this.

“Within months I’d gone from visiting the gym several times a week to my family coming up to say goodbye to me. It was a desperately sad and frightening time.”

Finally a blood clot was discovered in Laura’s brain which could have been causing some of the symptoms. After this was treated Laura slowly started getting better. She started physiotherapy every day and then radiotherapy. She endured 33 sessions at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow to shrink the tumour further.

Since completing treatment last May Laura hasn’t looked back. She took early retirement and is now enjoying as active a retirement as possible cycling and fitting in regular theatre trips with friends. She has also raised more than £4,500 for Cancer Research UK.

She was joined at the shop opening by Dr Emmanuel Dornier and Renfrewshire Provost Anne Hall.

The superstore, which at 4,916 sq ft is more than five times the size of a normal Cancer Research UK shop, will sell products for £3 and under.

It’s part of a plan to meet customer demand for more accessible stores with easy access and plenty of parking. Due to the size of the shop there will much more on offer, from clothing to books, with great discount prices and all profits going to the charity’s work to help beat cancer sooner.

The shop will also be home to Scotland’s first Your Health Hub, where senior cancer awareness nurses will run free sessions once a fortnight starting on Friday 30 September.

Visitors will be able to drop in or book a time slot to have a confidential conversation with a nurse who can offer support on making positive lifestyle changes. including about losing weight, stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol consumption.

A special private room in the shop will also offer people the chance to phone the Cancer Research UK nurse helpline on freephone 0808 800 4040.