A single mum has been told she has just two months to live after doctors failed to diagnose her cervical cancer for almost a year.
Estate agent Natalie Poole, 34, visited her GP 20 times over 11 months, complaining of back pain, tiredness, heavy discharge and dramatic weight loss.
Despite having all the symptoms of cervical cancer, doctors refused to screen her and dismissed her fears as being just an infection or being all in her mind.
“I knew something was seriously wrong but I was always fobbed off by the GPs,” Natalie told the Sunday People. “My referral was marked down as non-urgent.”
But 18 rounds of antibiotics later and her pain intensifying, Natalie, who lives with 16-year-old daughter Chloe in Swindon, Greater Manchester, knew something wasn’t right.
Taking herself to hospital, a doctor sent for tests immediately and discovered exactly what Natalie was fearing - that she had aggressive cervical cancer.
“I went to Royal Bolton Hospital last July, a doctor immediately spotted things were not right and further tests quickly showed I had aggressive cervical cancer with a stage 4a tumour the size of an orange on my vagina wall. I was devastated but was told it was curable so I clung to that hope.”
After 30 sessions of radiotherapy on top of chemotherapy, Natalie was given the all clear in December but just three weeks later her symptoms returned and scans showed the cancer had spread with a vengeance.
Despite undergoing drastic surgery at Manchester’s Christie’s Hospital, in April tests showed rogue cancer cells in her body had spread into her lymphatic system and abdomen. A month ago, Natalie was told the cancer was stage 4b - terminal
“I was told early May. unless I have chemo, I may only have two months to live. With chemo, maybe 18 months. But my body is so wracked with infections that if I had chemo now it could kill me.
“I have decided not to have any chemo and the medics have told me to live every day to the full - what choice have I got?
“I hope to see Chloe get her GCSE results. I know I won’t see her get her A Levels or go to university.
Natalie went on: “Chloe is the centre of my world and so clever. We made a pact - she had to concentrate on her GCSEs and I would focus on getting better and never leave her.
“The worst feeling is I haven’t kept my promise to Chloe but I have told her I can do no more, that God must have other plans for me and knows I have done all I can to set her on her path to adult life.
“I am not afraid of dying it’s just I am not ready to yet, I don’t want to miss out on life or leave my family.”
Determined to make the most of the little time she has left, Natalie has written a Bucket List of things she wants to see and do before she loses her battle with cancer.
After already meeting Take That star Gary Barlow, she also hopes to enjoy a few days in Spain with her family and go to a Rod Stewart concert.
Natalie has launched a medical negligence case against her practice, Kearsley Medical Centre. A representative from the surgery refused to comment on Natalie’s treatment, saying: “We cannot discuss such matters due to medical confidentiality.”
Natalie’s bucket list can be sponsored here
