Doctors gave my niece laxatives to relieve her symptoms – months later we are planning her funeral
A mother of five died of cancer just months after being put on laxatives by a doctor, her devastated family claims.
Louise Gemma Gray, 34, had seen her GP in April this year complaining of constipation and bleeding.
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She was given the laxatives despite having previously undergone surgery to remove cervical cancer cells.
The mother, from Peterlee, County Durham, continued to feel ill for the next five months and even lost control of her bowel movements.
Louise was taken to the hospital where she was dealt the devastating blow she had with liver, colon and cervical cancer.
She died just six weeks later, leaving her five children without a mother.
Her aunt Judith Spence, 51, told The Mirror: “Louise was absolutely hysterical because she didn’t know what was going on – they sent her home carefree, no one was there for her – the first week was awful.
“Something has to be done, it can’t bring Louise back, but raising awareness could save someone else’s life.
“We are very angry and frustrated. She was treated like a hypochondriac.”
Louise was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year after an HPV test showed she had abnormal cells.
She required surgery to remove the cells, but then suffered multiple kidney infections that forced her to skip some of her radiation therapy sessions.
The single mom then went to her doctors in April after noticing blood clots in her stool.
When her triple cancer diagnosis was confirmed, Louise decided she didn’t want to know how long she had left.
Judith has now launched GoFundMe to raise money for Louise’s children, aged between three and 16, and to help pay for her funeral.
She said: “It was absolutely soul crushing for them, the older two were there and saw it all.
“We have all been left heartbroken and traumatized by everything that has happened and would love to bid her a farewell, her children will never forget hopefully helping them heal as we see how loved their mother truly was .”
What are the warning signs of colon cancer?
IT IS the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest – yet colon cancer can be cured if caught early enough.
While screening is one way to ensure early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of colon cancer, recognizing any changes, and consulting your GP can prove life-saving.
If you notice any of the signs, don’t be ashamed or ignore them. Doctors are used to treating many patients with intestinal problems.
The five warning signs of colon cancer are:
- Bleeding from the posterior passage or blood in your stool
- A change in your normal toilet habits – for example, walking more often
- Pain or a lump in your abdomen
- Extreme tiredness
- lose weight
Tumors in the gut typically bleed, which can lead to a shortage of red blood cells, known as anemia. It can cause fatigue and sometimes shortness of breath.
In some cases, colon cancer can block the bowel, this is called a bowel obstruction.
Other characters are:
- Gripping pains in abdomen
- bloating
- Constipation and inability to breathe
- Be sick
- The feeling that you have to exert yourself – like number two – but after you’ve been to the toilet
While these are all signs to look out for, experts warn that the most serious thing is noticing blood in your stool.
However, they warn that it can be difficult for doctors to diagnose the disease, as in most cases these symptoms are a sign of a less serious illness.
https://www.the-sun.com/news/6660588/mum-given-laxatives-died-cancer/ Doctors gave my niece laxatives to relieve her symptoms – months later we are planning her funeral