A Scots woman who was told she had Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Stacey Cochrane, from Cowdenbeath, Fife, made two trips to A&E and had several GP appointments while suffering from horrendous abdominal pain over two months in the summer.
But it wasn't until a trip to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy on September 21 that an anxious Stacey pleaded to be given a scan. Later that day, she was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
The 37-year-old, who is married to Kenneth, told the Record: "I had been having problems with stomach pain for about five years without ever really knowing what the issue was. But it got so bad this year that I was admitted to A&E on August 6.
"I was checked over and given some morphine. Four hour later, I was told I was ok to home.
"I was going on holiday that week, so I asked if I was definitely fit to fly, but they gave me the all-clear and said just to keep away from dairy products. Then I was poorly the whole five days we were in Bulgaria with severe diarrhoea and vomiting."
Stacey said she attended several appointments with her GP after her A&E trip in early August and claims that her doctor told her on August 26 that her symptoms were linked to IBS.
She added: "The GP assured me he was 100% certain that it was IBS, but I do remember asking how he could know that for certain without a scan.
"Then on September 21 I ended up phoning 999 through the night with more stomach pain and vomiting. A paramedic came out to the house and then admitted me to hospital.
"By now knew something was seriously wrong. I couldn't even keep water down. So I literally begged for a CT scan.
"Later that night, I was diagnosed with cancer."
Stacey's heartbreaking diagnosis revealed that she had Stage 4 stomach cancer that has spread to her ovaries. Two tumours measuring 22 and 15cm were found on her left ovary - which were pushing on her stomach and causing her pain.
Tragically, she was told on November 3 that her cancer is incurable. Since she has started chemotherapy treatment.
Stacey continued: "It may sound strange but it was actually a relief to get a diagnosis because I just wanted to know what was wrong.
"But then they told me it was incurable and at the moment they can't give me a timeframe on how long I will live.
"Now I just want to speaking up and tell people they need to listen to their own bodies. Don't give up if you know something is wrong.
"If saying that means I can maybe save someone else's life, it's worth it."
Stacey has made a complaint to NHS Fife.
She added: "The staff are trying their best but the NHS is not getting enough funding."
NHS Fife Director of Nursing, Janette Keenan, said: “Being given a diagnosis of cancer is incredibly distressing news, not just for the individual but for their families and loved ones as well.
“Unfortunately, for reasons of patient confidentiality we are unable to discuss the care of individual people, however, we would urge the person to get in touch with our patient relations team to discuss their care and explore any concerns they may have.”
A fundraiser has been set up to help Stacey and Kenneth in the months ahead here.
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