A mum-of-two tragically died of incurable stage 4 most cancers simply mere months after she was advised her again ache was due to a 'trapped nerve'.
Helen Etheridge, 68, first complained of a ache in her again in October 2020 which was put down as nothing greater than a trapped nerve.
Helen, who lived in Crosby, mentioned that the ache was due to "outdated age", Liverpool Echo experiences.
Nevertheless, throughout a visit to go to her sister in Hull in late January 2021, Helen turned very unwell with what medics thought was a pulmonary embolism as she was coughing up blood. Simply days later she was recognized with stage 4 lung most cancers.
Helen's son Alex mentioned that listening to his mum had most cancers felt like a "punch to the abdomen". Alex mentioned that his mum had beforehand been recognized with breast most cancers numerous years earlier than however it had been handled.
Alex mentioned the household "clung onto the hope" Helen was going to be okay as she'd efficiently been handled earlier than however sadly by the point docs recognized her lung most cancers it had unfold to different components of her physique together with her mind.
Alex, 33, mentioned: "There have been no actual signs aside from her again ache which was getting worse and worse. I typically look again and suppose possibly there have been extra indicators however the docs mentioned it was only a trapped nerve so we thought she was wonderful.
"She simply mentioned the again ache was as a result of she was outdated. It actually escalated shortly after she was recognized although. It unfold to the mind and you might inform she was very confused.
"When she was recognized it felt like a punch within the abdomen. With most cancers you try to cling onto a little bit of hope however sadly we did not have that."
Alex and his sister Jess made the journey from Liverpool to Hull on a regular basis to see their mum within the hospital however after seeing how uncomfortable she was made the choice to maneuver her into Dove Home Hospice. Helen handed away simply two days later.
Alex mentioned the household felt a "sense of reduction" when their mum went into the hospice. He added: "I do not know what I anticipated from a hospice however when you stroll into one it is only a place of peace. You're feeling comfy right away and we knew we made the proper resolution to maneuver mum there."
Alex and Jess are at present endeavor a stroll from Liverpool to Hull to boost cash for the hospice the place their mum spent her closing days. The pair set out from the road in Crosby the place their mum lived and are strolling the Transpenine Path to Hull the place they're going to arrive on Monday, April 11 - what would have been their mum's seventieth birthday.
Alex mentioned the stroll has been robust however it has given him and his sister an ideal probability to replicate on their mum's life and bear in mind the most effective recollections. He mentioned: "She was a really straight-talking girl and intensely intelligent as nicely.
"She was very elegant and type and he or she all the time went out of her option to make others completely satisfied. She cherished taking care of you and cooking for you.
"She was only a good kind-hearted girl."
You may donate to Alex and Jess' fundraiser right here.
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