A mother of three tragically passed away only four months after being misdiagnosed with Endometriosis, which was later discovered to be cancer. Laura Barlow, who had recently married her husband Michael, began experiencing health issues when she noticed blood in her stool at the end of October. Despite her awareness of the potential signs of cancer due to working in a hospital, Laura struggled to secure an in-person appointment and was initially informed over the phone that it was likely Endometriosis.
As her condition worsened by December, Laura visited an urgent care centre where she received morphine but was told that her GP was already treating her and they couldn’t do more. However, it wasn’t until January that Laura was able to obtain an ultrasound and CT scan, which revealed lesions on her liver. She was put on a two-week pathway for further investigation, including another CT scan, an MRI, and an endoscopy.
Laura’s health continued to deteriorate, and during a hospital visit with her sister, she received the devastating diagnosis of cancer. Her husband Michael described the heartbreaking moment when they were informed about the cancer diagnosis. They were initially going to send her home after disclosing the news, but Laura’s sister reached out to several cancer staff members who advocated for them and arranged for Laura to be taken to a cancer ward. A meeting with the doctors on February 2 revealed that the cancer was at 95% and that Laura did not have much time left.
The family had a planned break at Centre Parcs the same day they received the news, but it was overshadowed by the uncertainty of Laura’s condition. Despite bringing a wheelchair and morphine for her, they managed to create some lasting memories during the holiday. Tragedy struck shortly after their return, as Laura’s health began to decline rapidly. She passed away on February 5, just a few days after being told that she didn’t have long left.
Michael expressed his deep sadness and frustration at the loss, stating that they had only been married for a year and felt robbed of the time they could have had together. He believes that the NHS failed them and could have done more for Laura, leading him to create a petition to seek justice and prevent others from going through a similar experience. The petition has garnered 8,300 signatures so far, with a goal of reaching 10,000 to be presented to the government. Michael’s main desire is to receive an apology and ensure that no one else has to endure what his family went through.
