A MUM-of-three died in her husband’s arms just months after complaining of a stomach ache.
Laura Barlow had just married partner Michael when she started to feel unwell, with abdominal pain and blood in her poo.
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The 33-year-old worked in a hospital and knew this could be a sign of cancer so phoned her GP in October 2023.
She was given a phone appointment and told her symptoms were likely caused by endometriosis – a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
But with no tests to confirm the diagnosis or a proper treatment plan, Laura, from Lincolnshire, was still in agony months later.
After being “doubled over” with pain at work, she was rushed to an urgent care centre, where she was given morphine.
READ MORE ON BOWEL CANCER
But staff advised there was nothing more they could do as her own doctors were treating her and sent her home.
In January, Laura finally had an ultrasound and CT scan, which revealed lesions on her liver.
She was told she needed to see a specialist, as well as have an MRI scan and an endoscopy.
Eventually, Laura was diagnosed with bowel cancer. She died two weeks later.
Michael, 52, said: “She was fit as a fiddle until then.
“We had only been married a year and it just felt like we were robbed from the time we had with her.
“I am just so angry and frustrated as it feels like the NHS has failed us and that they could have done more for her.
“I feel that if a doctor had seen her and not diagnosed her over the phone, then it would have been spotted sooner.”
He is fighting to make all GP appointments face to face.
‘AVOIDABLE TRAGEDY’
Michael, who believes his wife’s death was “preventable”, told ChronicleLive: “I just want an apology, so no one else has to go through it.”
Family friend Amy Mitchell, who launched the petition, added: “Sadly, Laura’s story is not unique.
“Many people are being misdiagnosed or undiagnosed due to the lack of face-to-face consultations with GPs.
“The devastating consequence is that we are losing many young people prematurely.
“We believe that all patients should be entitled to face-to-face consultations as standard practice in healthcare settings across our nation.
“It’s time we put an end to avoidable tragedies like Laura’s by ensuring everyone has access to comprehensive healthcare assessments which can only truly be achieved through direct patient-doctor interactions.”
LAST DAYS MAKING PRECIOUS MEMORIES
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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.
After Laura was diagnosed, medics advised the family to spend as much time together as possible as her cancer was so advanced she may not have long left.
They went on a short holiday to Center Parcs, which Michael said was the perfect way to say goodbye.
“We had booked the break with the kids and [Laura’s sister] Lisa and her husband a year in advance,” he said.
“It was exactly what we needed – a little fun, but sadly it turned out to be the last holiday with Laura.
“We had to bring a wheelchair and morphine for her but we still made some fun memories.”
A few days after returning home, Laura started to deteriorate.
“I asked her dad to come and help me look after her while we waited for other family members to bring the bed into the spare room downstairs,” Michael, who married Laura in April 2023, said.
“She passed away a few days later on February 5.”
Kaitlin Barlow, 27, Michael’s daughter from a previous relationship, said: “She laid in the arms of her loving husband and took her last breath peacefully at home in her bed.
“Everyone who knew Laura will agree that she was the most caring and beautiful human who everyone loved to be around.
“Laura had the most contagious laugh and brightened up everyone’s day.”
Laura leaves behind three young daughters: Bella-Mia Summer Skye, and Bonnie Rae.
Lisa criticised the “massive failures” in her sister’s care and hopes speaking out will “help stop another family going through what we’re going through”.
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What is endometriosis?
WHEN cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb grow elsewhere in the body, this is called endometriosis.
Each month these cells react in the same way to those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding.
Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape.
Around 1.5 million women and those assigned female at birth are currently living with the condition in the UK.
The classic endometriosis symptoms include:
- Pelvic pain
- Painful periods that interfere with everyday life
- Pain during or after sex
- Painful bowel movements/when having a poo
- Pain when urinating/peeing
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Fatigue
Period pain can be experienced even if you don’t have endometriosis, but if pain during your period is interfering with your everyday life, it may be best to consult your doctor.
Source: Endometriosis UK
