A mum with terminal cancer is warning other women to get checked following years of misdiagnoses.
Kelly Pendry, 42, was diagnosed with uterine leiomyosarcoma after experiencing painful and long periods back in 2016.
However, Kelly's symptoms had been dismissed and she was only diagnosed with terminal cancer five years later.
The mum-of-two says her symptoms were first dismissed as normal reactions the body makes when recovering from pregnancy.
She was instead prescribed anti-depressants and advised to go on the contraceptive pills - a common reaction from doctors to women experiencing period pains.
Despite the prescriptions, Kelly's health deteriorated and she was left in agonising pain and a swollen stomach.
Finally, in April 2020, kelly was seen by a locum GP who confirmed Kelly's worries were valid and was also concerned about the lumps appearing in her abdomen.
In an interview with the BBC, she said: "For the first time someone validated something," she said. "He said, 'How are you even coping?' I said, 'I'm not'."
Kelly was diagnosed with benign fibroids in November 2020 and told a hysterectomy would be best - but following the pandemic, Kelly's appointments were continuously pushed back and her surgery was not able to happen.
The next year in June, Kelly still found herself bleeding and was later diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma in November 2021 and sadly told she had stage four cancer and it was terminal.
Leiomyosarcoma is a rare type of cancer which affects 600 people in the UK each year.
"I was told by a nurse not to make plans for Christmas," she said.
But Kelly said she couldn't bear the thought of not witnessing her children's milestones and after six rounds of chemotherapy, Kelly lived past doctors' predictions.
But one year on from her treatment, she says she still experiences tiredness, hot flashes and aches and pains.
But the pains are nothing in comparison to what she had to endure before the treatment.
Now Kelly's husband Michael is hoping to raise £50,000 to have her travel to the USA for surgery.
Michael is hoping to embark on a 180-mile (290km) run from Ewloe to Hanham in an attempt to raise the funds needed for the surgery.
He said running makes him feel better after finding himself crying at the news of his wife's cancer.
Although treatment is available in the USA for her cancer, kelly said she is aware her cancer could come back even after the surgery.
But she hopes with her story, she can teach other people to demand further testing or referrals if they have concerns about their health.
"We are coming around to talking about women's health, menopause, periods.
"My hope is it will improve."
In a statement, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said: "We're very sorry to hear about Ms Pendry's experience and would encourage her to contact her GP practice, which is an independent contractor of the health board, so her concerns can be investigated."
