My mum died three days after a shocking terminal diagnosis – docs dismissed her only bowel habit symptom
MARIA Paszkiewicz died just three days after being told she had terminal bowel cancer after doctors dismissed her symptoms as food intolerances.
“She had a noticeably significant change in bowel habits,” her daughter, Anne-Marie, 43, said.
This included, “the need to go more frequently and often with some urgency,” the mum from from Coventry, West Midlands, added.
Bowel cancer can make you poo more because the tumour irritates the gut and speeds things up, according to Cancer Research UK.
It can also block part of the bowel, making stools looser or harder to pass.
The cancer can stop your body from absorbing water properly, which makes you go more often.
The 76-year-old’s bowel concerns were initially put down to an intolerance to certain foods.
But for Maria this “didn’t feel right”, her daughter said.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer, with roughly 44,100 new cases diagnosed each year.
More than nine out of ten new cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 50, says Bowel Cancer UK.
Maria’s symptoms got so bad she decided to request a blood test.
Further tests revealed she had stage 4 bowel cancer in August 2023 – which spread to her liver.
Initally, chemotherapy treatment appeared to show promise but the disease soon became resistant.
In mid-April 2024, Maria was given devastating news.
She had three to six months left – but she passed away suddenly just three days later on 25th April.
“After that initial prognosis we spent the next few days calculating how long three months was and milestones coming up and what can we do as a family – but we didn’t get to do any of that,” Anne-Marie added.
“So for her to then suddenly pass away a few days later, it was a shock to the core.”
To cope with her loss Anne-Marie channeled her grief into action.
She has decided to commemorate her mum by running two marathons in a week in her memory – the Boston Marathon in the US and the London Marathon in the UK.
“It will be very emotional week, my mum passing has given me a whole new reason to focus on running.
“Running has always been my way of processing things, so getting a place in the London Marathon felt like a lovely way to honour mum and give back.”
Anne-Marie is running the London Marathon to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
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.
“They were so good to us, and this feels like a meaningful way to give back,” she said.
Her initial target was £2,500, but she’s already surpassed £4,800 and hopes to raise even more.
Anne-Marie said: “It’s been amazing to see the kindness of people and the community spirit that shines through during times like this.”
The Boston Marathon is the only race Anne-Marie needed to complete the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors 6 Star Medal.
When she found out she’d secured a place, she couldn’t believe it.
“I feel prepared – nervous but good,” she said.
“Training has gone really well and I feel as ready as I’ll ever be.
“I’ve thought about my mum and it’ll be nice to see my dad proud and happy too.
“Running for Macmillan too so it will be very exciting and I know I can do it!”
Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving, said: “Anne-Marie’s fundraiser not only honours her mother’s legacy it also highlights the powerful impact that charities like Macmillan have in supporting those who need it.
“We wish Anne-Marie the very best of luck in her London Marathon 2025 challenge.”