A brave woman who spent years fighting for an explanation for her constant bouts of sickness has just days to live after marrying her partner.
Ashleigh McMahon first approached doctors about her symptoms in 2018 and had no idea it would be the start of a four-year battle for answers. The 29-year-old was initially believed to be suffering from cyclical vomiting syndrome, and was then diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
But, the reality of her condition was far more serious. After taking a turn for the worse in January 2023, she was admitted to Royal Liverpool Hospital, and was diagnosed with mucinous ovarian carcinoma, a rare, aggressive type of ovarian cancer.
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Devastatingly she has now only days to live, after marrying her long term partner on Monday, April 3.
In a statement urging women to "listen to their bodies", she said: "This is for awareness. Awareness of cervical cancer, awareness of self-awareness of your own body, and awareness that doctors are not always right, awareness that ovarian cysts are not always common. Sometimes they are complex, sometimes they are more than expected. And if something doesn't feel right - fight for your diagnosis, fight for your health, fight for your sanity, fight for your family and fight for your life."
Ashleigh, a call handler for BT, was sent for a scan in 2019 after suffering for years with sickness, pelvic pain, stomach bloating and irregular periods. A 14cm ovarian cyst was found - one of several cysts that would develop as time went on.
She said: "Ovarian cysts can be common and usually go on their own - but anything above 5cm is a concern. My first was 14cm, my second 16cm, and my recent was a complex 20cm.
"Around three to four years of illness, two years consisting of four surgeries, and my cysts were borderline cancer. This resulted in a full hysterectomy, part of my stomach removed, the omentum of my bowel removed and my appendix."
Ashleigh, who lives in Anfield, had her last ovarian cyst removed at Royal Liverpool Hospital in December, and was allowed to return home on Boxing Day. In an emotional Facebook post, she said: "To the nurses who have cared for me over the past few weeks, picked me up on my worst days with hugs, reassurance and support, helped calm me down when I have cried until my eyes have burned, popped their heads in to say good morning, helped me and encouraged me and told me I was stronger than I felt in those moments, and selflessly continued their work whilst they could have spent the entire day on a picket line and left us with nothing because there was no plan for our care during their strikes - they deserve their pay rise and more. They deserve the recognition for the incredible, selfless work they do in our most vulnerable moments."
She was readmitted on January 20, when she finally received her tragic cancer diagnosis. After two months of unsuccessful chemotherapy, she and her partner John were given the news they had dreaded - there was nothing more doctors could do, and she was placed on end of life care.
John, 35, said: "It's hard to put into words how we felt. It felt like the ground had swallowed us up. It's hard to even talk about. It devastated us."
The couple, who have been together 11 years, were given a special licence to get married on short notice, and tied the knot on Monday, April 3.
John said: "We knew we had to do it now, because it was getting progressively worse. On Monday the hospital got in touch with the registry office for us, I got a call at 9.30am, and we married at 2.30pm in a private room on her ward. It was magical, I couldn't have asked for anything better. The hospital went above and beyond for us and I can't express how thankful we are."
But instead of looking forward to honeymooning in Prague, the newlyweds now face the heartbreaking task of planning Ashleigh's funeral. An online fund-raiser to help pay for the arrangements has been set up by their friend, Demi Gaskin.
As they look to the future, John has vowed to champion his wife's message, encouraging women to seek help for health problems before it is too late. He said: "No woman should have to deal with anything like this. It's not fair. It's something I've promised Ashleigh I will do, I'll fight her corner and advocate for how important it is to check yourself and trust your own body.
"It's been a hard few years. She's been a warrior. She's one of the most amazing, big-hearted, compassionate, selfless women to ever walk this earth. Everyone she touches has something positive to say. I've never known anyone to have a bad thing to say about her. Her love is pure - she taught me how to love.
"I just want to share Ashleigh's message, how hard she's fought. She has never relented, even on her worst days. I just want the world to know what a beautiful, good-hearted person she is, and how strongly she fought for what she believed in."
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