Rhiannon Ingle
A mum with terminal cancer has tragically died after doctors dismissed her unusually heavy periods.
Kelly Pendry, a mum-of-two from Ewloe, north Wales, passed away aged just 42 after being made to feel like a 'drama queen' when she started experiencing bleeding and tummy pain following her pregnancy.
Kelly was told her painful symptoms were simply a result of her periods returning and was handed anti-depressants by doctors after first having concerns back in 2016.
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Kelly, who fought to save other women from misdiagnosis, was told my medics that the growths in her womb were harmless and a planned hysterectomy to remove them was later scrapped due to lockdown in 2020.
However, a year later, the mum went in for a check up and was given the devastating news that the fibroids in her uterus had developed into a rare form of cancer - and had spread to her lungs, chest and lymph nodes.
After receiving the tragic news, Kelly spoke out to urge other women not to be afraid to voice their own concerns as she battled to 'make memories' for her children.
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She ended up going through a year of chemotherapy in an effort to prolong her life so she could watch her children grow up for as long as possible.
However, her husband Michael revealed his 'amazing and beautiful wife' had died early on Sunday (3 December) and, in a tribute, he said Kelly had 'fought until the very end, her spirit and strength was incredible as always'.
Speaking about her cancer diagnosis, Kelly said: "The diagnosis came as quite a shock and I sometimes wonder if I would be in this position now if I'd has the hysterectomy or been more closely monitored.
"Before the pandemic, everything was set for me to go ahead with the hysterectomy, I had even signed the consent forms.
"Sadly because all routine operations were cancelled it never happened and I was put on different medication which they hoped would shrink the fibroids, but it didn't."
Kelly was given medication meant to shrink the fibroids when surgery was cancelled but, unfortunately, the treatment didn't work.
"I want people to know my story because fibroids are so common and I don't want what's happened to me to happen to anyone else," she explained.
"I'm really passionate about fighting this for me, but also the next woman who comes along."
Kelly added: "I want to be that person who beats all the odds, even if it just gives me more time to make memories with my family because they mean the word to me.
"My husband is my rock and I have two phenomenal kids so I'm determined to fight for them, no matter what it takes."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677