Mum diagnosed with bowel cancer after daughter spotted worrying sign
A mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer after her daughter realised she had been struggling to go to the toilet for two weeks.
Vicky Mcloughlin's stage three bowel cancer diagnosis in November 2024 came after an initial examination failed to identify the problem.
Her daughter Chloe, 33 took her to A&E where scans revealed a mass. A biopsy confirmed it was cancer which had started in Vicky’s bowel and progressed into her cervical area.
The tumour subsequently created a hole between her bowel and cervical area, leading to serious complications. Vicky needed surgery for a stoma and later had tubes inserted through her back into her kidneys to drain urine.
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She has also suffered repeated infections and fluid build-ups requiring hospital treatment.
Chloe says her mum has developed sepsis five times over the past two years. The infections meant Vicky was unable to receive chemotherapy, and instead underwent two courses of radiotherapy.
Chloe pleaded with doctors at Solihull Hospital and St Mark's Hospital in London to operate and remove the tumour, but both refused, saying the operation came with too much risk, could result in Vicky losing her leg and leave her with a worse quality of life.
The dog walking business owner from Tamworth said: "It was a lot to process when she was diagnosed.
"We never would have thought where we are now and be in the situation we are now.
"The only way to cure her is through surgery.
"A hospital in London, and one in Solihull both refused.
"They said it was too major and she could lose her leg and they said with her age they don't know if she'd survive the surgery.
"They said she'd have a better quality of life without the surgery - but to me that's not the case. It's constant - every other week she's back in hospital.
"It does nothing - it's just torture. It's a living nightmare. I don't know what else to do."
She explained: "When the tumour broke through it caused a hole in the bowels and cervical area. So infections were caused.
"She had multiple drains to drain out the fluid collection.
"She's had four in the last two years. She had to have surgery for a stoma bag too.
"But the collection of fluid with the last drain didn't drain out as it was too thick. They eventually managed to remove it as it was putting pressure on her kidneys.
"The urine was going back towards her kidneys, so she had surgery for two tubes to go into her back through her kidneys and they drain out her urine.
"So now she doesn't go to the toilet at all. She was in such a strong position but now I don't know how she's alive today. She has sepsis all the time."
A spokesperson for University Hospitals Birmingham said: “We have great sympathy for Mrs Mcloughlin and her family at what is clearly a difficult and distressing time.
"Decisions about radical cancer surgery are very complex and are never taken lightly.
"Any advice given is based on a careful assessment of the potential benefits and risks, and are coordinated by a multidisciplinary team, with the clinical team's overriding priority being what is safest, and in the patient’s best interests.”
A London North West University Healthcare trust spokesperson said: "The trust can’t comment on individual patients’ circumstances."
Topics: Health, Cancer, Lifestyle, Bowel cancer
Anish Vij