ON DEATH'S DOOR
Mum who thought she picked up a tummy bug from nursery kids told she has 12 hours to live after she turned yellow
Plus, the most common symptoms of bowel cancer to look out for
A MUM thought she’d caught a stomach bug from snotty kids – until doctors told her she was "12 hours from death".
Chloe Wakelin says she visited her GP weekly for two months to complain of persistent tummy ache, tiredness and low appetite.
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The worried 26-year-old was reportedly told it was "probably just a viral stomach bug" after tests for Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) came back negative.
"I was working in a nursery and I was around children all the time, so I just thought if it was a stomach bug I'd picked it up from the children," the mum-of-one from Manchester, explained.
"I have a little girl myself, so maybe she'd brought it home from school."
But as her condition worsened, Chloe knew it was more than just a bug.
Read more on bowel cancer
In late 2023, the mum reported severe bloating to her doctors, but she claims they had her take multiple pregnancy tests.
Her symptoms worsened, as she struggled to keep food down and began vomiting "vomit that looked like tar."
In December, more tests raised concern, but Chloe says The Royal Oldham Hospital was too busy to conduct a scan.
While doctors suggested she might have had the stomach virus gastroenteritis, new blood tests came back clear.
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She was told to attend A&;E only if her symptoms worsened.
"It was getting to the stage where I started to question if it was all in my head."
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By January 2024, Chloe’s skin was "turning yellow" and she rushed to A&E.
Scans revealed a large mass in her bowel.
"I was told that if I didn't have the surgery, I would have had 12 hours to live because my kidney and my liver were failing."
After a seven-and-a-half-hour surgery, Chloe woke up with a stoma bag and was diagnosed with stage-three bowel cancer.
She said: "Waking up in recovery, I remember feeling my stomach and feeling the bag.
"It just felt like everything had crumbled around me."
Despite the grim news, Chloe is now in remission after four rounds of chemotherapy.
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Reflecting on her months of misdiagnosis, Chloe said: "My mind never went to cancer for one second.
"For weeks I'd been told that I just had a stomach bug but then I was hearing the big C.
"At 25 years old, it was quite worrying. I felt let down by them [the doctors] and very saddened by it all."
She added: "I was in tears to my mum and my auntie on the phone.
"I just couldn't understand how for so long, it could be dismissed as a stomach bug and how only the week before I was told that I needed a scan but they were too busy."
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'It can affect anyone'
Now cancer-free, Chloe is eager to raise awareness about the symptoms of bowel cancer, urging others to visit their GP, no matter their age.
The NHS say main symptoms of bowel cancer include persistent blood in the stools, a persistent change in bowel habits, persistent lower abdominal (tummy) pain, bloating or discomfort.
"I’d just like to remind everyone to not be ashamed to go to their GP about any symptoms they may be having, no matter your age.
"It can affect anyone."
As for the doctors who missed her cancer, Chloe added: "It was frustrating and it was quite an upsetting feeling. I felt very let down by them all."
Steve Taylor, chief officer at The Royal Oldham Hospital, said: "We are unable to comment on individual cases due to patient confidentiality.
"We always encourage anyone who has questions or concerns relating to their care or treatment with us to contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) so any issues can be looked into."
Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership have been contacted for comment.
Chloe's warning comes scientists revealed England has one of the world's fasted rising rates of bowel cancer in under-50s.
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In the study by the American Cancer Society, it was the fourth fastest rise recorded, with an increase of 3.6 per cent per year, between the years 2007 and 2017.
The rise was four per cent in New Zealand and Chile, and 3.8 per cent in Puerto Rico.
What are the red flag warning signs of bowel cancer?
IT'S the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest - yet bowel cancer can be cured, if you catch it early enough.
While screening is one way of ensuring early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and checking with your GP can prove a life-saver.
If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed and don't ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of patients with bowel problems.
The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:
- Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
- A change in your normal toilet habits - going more frequently for example
- Pain or a lump in your tummy
- Extreme tiredness
- Losing weight
Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness.
In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction.
Other signs include:
- Gripping pains in the abdomen
- Feeling bloated
- Constipation and being unable to pass wind
- Being sick
- Feeling like you need to strain - like doing a number two - but after you've been to the loo
While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools.
But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease.
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