Mother, 29, died from ‘well hidden’ tumour just three months after going to see the doctor leaving behind son with Down’s syndrome, five
- Sammi Fox, 29, went to her doctor with stomach problems last July
- Doctors discovered an aggressive tumour that quickly spread through her body
- Within three months she was sent to a hospice and died a week later
- Inquest found the cancer was the cause of her death and was incurable
A ‘hidden’ tumour led to the death of a young mother just three months after she first went to see her GP, an inquest found.
Sammi Fox, 29, was suffering from uncomfortable stomach problems when she went to her doctor on July 19 last year.
She was treated at first for suspected irritable bowel syndrome but doctors later discovered a ‘very aggressive’ tumour, which spread around her body in the months before she died.
Sammi Fox, 29, (left) died of cancer just three months after she went to the doctor with no idea she had a tumour, leaving behind her son Bobby, five, (right) who has Down’s syndrome
Her health deteriorated so quickly that Ms Fox was taken to the Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in October.
Ms Fox was in the hospice for just over a week when she died on October 18, surrounded by her parents Denise and Mel, grandmother Margo, sister Kelle, and brother Paddy.
Before her death, she released an emotional video as she prepared to say a final goodbye to her son Bobby, five, who has Down’s syndrome, and 13-year-old son Kai.
An inquest at Newcastle Civic Centre heard Ms Fox developed a tumour in her bowel, which was believed to have spread before she even developed symptoms.
Consultant colorectal surgeon Mike Bradburn said when Ms Fox was referred to hospital in early October, the cancer was already ‘incurable’.
Before her death, she released an emotional video as she prepared to say a final goodbye to Bobby (right) and her 13-year-old son Kai (left)
‘Speaking honestly, there was no prospect of cure at that stage,’ he said.
‘We could consider chemotherapy but it’s not a cure. There’s no guarantee that the tumour would respond, some tumours do, some tumours don’t.’
Mr Bradburn said he considered it likely that by the time Ms Fox experienced symptoms, the cancer had already spread.
-
Terminally-ill cancer sufferer with sepsis is granted ‘dying…
The bravest little boy: Cancer-stricken child, three, tells…
Share this article
Pathologist Dr Clive Bloxham examined Ms Fox’s body the day after she died ans described the tumour in her bowel as ‘well-hidden’ and ‘quite established’.
The cancer had spread to a number of other organs in her body, including her ovaries and even her heart.
At the inquest, coroner Karen Dilks concluded that Ms Fox had died of natural causes.
‘Sammi’s cancer was so advanced that it was incurable,’ she said.
‘I can’t describe how much I am going to miss her. She was my daughter and my best friend and made a lasting impression on everyone’s life,’ her mother Denise (right) said at her funeral
‘Sammi developed metastatic cancer which was the cause of her death. It was late in its presentation and extensive in its development.’
Before her death, Ms Fox wrote a heartfelt message to her friends and family on her Facebook page.
‘As most of you are aware I’ve been quite unwell for sometime now,’ it read.
‘My diagnosis is bowel cancer which has spread to my ovaries. As of today I’ve been given literally DAYS to spend with my beautiful friends and family.
‘I’m going to miss every single beautiful person I’ve met in my life – there’s some absolutely awesome people in my life and I love you truly.
At her funeral at Preston Cemetery Chapel in North Shields on October 30, mourners wore bright colours to reflect Ms Fox’s vibrant personality
A floral tribute made by Ms Fox by her children that was placed on her coffin at the funeral
‘Today I was given the news of literally days, maybe a week to live!! I have 2 beautiful boys who I’m going to miss growing up.
‘I have amazing family and friends that I want to spend my life with but can’t!! I just want you all to know how much you truly all mean to me!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!’
At her funeral at Preston Cemetery Chapel in North Shields on October 30, mourners wore bright colours to reflect Ms Fox’s vibrant personality.
‘I can’t describe how much I am going to miss her. She was my daughter and my best friend and made a lasting impression on everyone’s life,’ her mother Denise said.
Source: Read Full Article