Terminally ill cancer woman, 28, given just days to live after shunning chemo to enjoy her last hours shares heartbreaking final photos
A BRAVE cancer victim given just days to live after being diagnosed with terminal cancer has shared heartbreaking pictures of her final days in a hospice.
Amy Redhead, 28, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in October last year after suffering severe abdominal pain.
By the time she was diagnosed the aggressive disease had spread to 70 per cent of her liver and Amy was told there was nothing doctors could do.
She was offered palliative chemotherapy to prolong her life but she refused, instead deciding to enjoy her final few months without feeling ill.
Amy was initially given six months to live but in the last week her health has rapidly deteriorated and now she has just days left.
She has already planned her own funeral and created a memory box for her family.
Her younger sister, Emily, 22, from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, is now sharing her story to help raise awareness for bowel cancer.
“Amy had suffered with abdominal pain before her diagnosis but because of her age, she was dismissed by doctors,” she said.
“She'd lost loads of weight but it wasn't until she felt a lump in her stomach that she was referred for tests.
“We were all devastated when we were told it was bowel cancer and that it was incurable.
"Amy is so stubborn and it was no surprise when she refused chemotherapy, the doctors had already told us it would only give us more time.
"She said she'd rather have less time and feel healthier in herself so that's what she chose to do.
"We're so grateful to have celebrated her birthday, Christmas, New Year and our dad, Robert's, 76th birthday together."
Amy has shared her journey on social media in a bid to raise awareness of the disease.
Her family have shared photos of her in a hospice to highlight the physical impact bowel cancer can have.
"Amy has lost four stone since her diagnosis and now looks nothing like her happy bubbly self," Emily added.
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"We are so proud of the fight she's put up for the last few months, she has been so brave but she has said she's ready to die now and no longer be in pain."
Amy was diagnosed with colitis - inflammation of the inner lining of the intestine – when she was 11 and was warned that she was at a higher risk of developing bowel cancer.
"Amy was fit and enjoying the gym just weeks before she was diagnosed," Emily recalled.
"We don't know whether she first blamed her symptoms on her colitis but we want people to be aware of any changes if you have the condition.
"It's important that those with the illness keep on top of their regular checks.
"If something feels different or you have an unusual pain then get it checked as it could have saved Amy's life.
"We hope Amy's story highlights the link between ulcerative colitis and cancer."
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Last week Amy made the brave decision to stop all her medication and is now preparing to die.
Emily added: "She is on a high dose of morphine for the pain and with 70 per cent of her liver now being consumed with cancer, blood clots in her lungs and around her heart, we could lose her at any time.
"Amy originally wanted to die at home but last Monday (January 29) she decided to be admitted to Primrose Hospice so she can get the around the clock care she needs."
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive for Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer, told the Sun Online: “Unfortunately we hear from patients like Amy every day who often experience significant delays to their diagnosis because of their age.
"Bowel cancer is not just an older person’s disease like many people think.
"Every year in the UK over 2,500 under-50s are diagnosed with the disease, a 48 per cent increase since 2004."
Amy has created a memory box for Emily, which includes pictures and some of her hair as a keepsake.
“I asked Amy to create a memory box for me to look back on, we've always been so close but even more so since her diagnosis,” Emily said.
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“Our parents, Lynn, 63, and Robert, have always told us not to argue when we'd have silly rows as we'd only have each other once they were gone.
“Amy's diagnosis has made me realise how important siblings are and to never take the little things for granted.
“She's still fighting at the moment and we'll be there with her when she takes her final breath.”
You can donate to Amy’s family at their
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