Man who went to doctor for stomach bug died eight months later from ‘silent killer’
A man sadly passed away eight months after discovering the sinister source of his stomach pain and sickness.
The family of Michael Armishaw, 43, have told how he was left 'devastated' after doctors informed him he wasn't suffering from gallstones as he suspected.
He died last Sunday (26 April) surrounded by his loved ones, eight months after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Michael's sister Claire is now speaking out about her late sibling's battle with the disease that has been dubbed a 'silent killer' as the early symptoms can be difficult to detect.
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She explained that Michael first became unwell last August, with him complaining of sickness and stomach pain.
Claire suggested he might be suffering from gallstones, which she had previously suffered from.
Doctors who evaluated Michael in A&E the following month also suspected this might be the case and agreed it was the most likely prognosis.
"He thought he just had a tummy bug at first," Claire, 45, said. "But after his symptoms got worse after a couple of weeks, I suggested it might be gallstones as I had the same and my gall bladder removed.
"When we went to hospital even doctors thought the same, but he underwent a series of tests."
These tests and subsequent scans then revealed that Michael had stage four pancreatic cancer and medics gave him just 12 months to live.
Claire, from Nottinghamshire, said the family were left 'numb' by the news, explaining: "They call it the silent killer as symptoms don't appear until late on.
"Its unbelievable really, just weeks after showing symptoms they tell him he was stage four. He either thought it was a stomach bug or issues from a previous liver diagnosis.
"You're not expecting to be diagnosed with cancer as he wasn't really that old. He was devastated when he found out -and we were all in shock. My dad only died a year ago of lung cancer."
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include: jaundice, loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to, feeling tired or having no energy, a high temperature, or feeling hot, cold or shivery, according to the NHS.
Other symptoms include feeling or being sick, diarrhoea or constipation, pain at the top part of your tummy and your back as well as symptoms of indigestion, such as feeling bloated.
Michael underwent six gruelling rounds of chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy, but the treatment unfortunately did not work.
By November last year, the disease had spread to his liver and lymph nodes while it had also reached his brain.
Michael then suffered a seizure on 18 April, which left him bed bound and unable to communicate.
Following his gruelling eight month battle against cancer, he was put in end-of-life care and died in hospital a week later.
Claire, who is full-time carer for her mum, said Michael's loved ones have been left 'devastated' by his passing.
"It just really knocks you back and I'm still in shock I think," she added, while explaining she has launched a GoFundMe to help afford her brother's funeral.
She said that the family struggled with the expenses of their father's recent funeral and Michael's treatment costs.
"We want to give Michael the send off he deserves," Claire said. "I am worrying about the inevitable cost and where it’s going to come from.
“He didn’t realise how much we all loved him, so I’m hoping in death he certainly does now."
The fundraiser has acquired £1,711 of its £2,400 target so far.
Olivia Burke