The family of a mum-of-five who died weeks after being diagnosed with terminal cancer have claimed the 34-year-old was initially given laxatives for her symptoms. Louise Gemma Gray died just six weeks after her diagnosis and devastated family members claim she was fobbed off by doctors.
Louise's heartbroken auntie, Judith Spence, is now fundraising for her niece following her death on November 3. The 51-year-old alleges that Louise was prescribed laxatives when she told doctors she had symptoms of constipation and rectal bleeding. Louise leaves behind five children, including two twins at the age of three.
Despite Louise undergoing surgery in 2021 to have cervical cancer cells removed, Judith claims that no tests were carried out despite concerns being raised with doctors over her symptoms. Louise, of Peterlee, County Durham, said her niece was rushed to A&E at North Tees Hospital when she suddenly lost control of her bowel movements towards the end of her illness.
The Mirror reports Louise was given two blood transfusions to save her life but doctors discovered she had cancer of the liver, bowel, and cervix. The young mum struggled to process the devastating news and was left reeling at the late diagnosis.
She died six weeks later and her heartbroken family are desperate to give her the send off she deserves, as well as pay for therapy for her grieving children. Louise was left with no life insurance or savings after she was forced to quit her job in a call centre due to mental health issues.
Judith said: "Louise was absolutely hysterical because she didn't know what was going on - they sent her home with no care, with nobody there for her - the first week was horrendous.
"Something needs to be done, it can't bring Louise back, but raising awareness could save someone else's life.
"We're feeling very angry, and frustrated. She was treated like a hypochondriac."
After a HPV smear test in 2021, Louise underwent an operation to remove abnormal cells which turned out to be cervical cancer. Her family say she was forced to miss some radiotherapy sessions after suffering several kidney infections following the operation.
In April of this year, Louise attended her GP surgery and complained she had blood clots in her stool. She was prescribed laxatives to treat the symptoms but her health deteriorated over five months and eventually she discovered she was terminally ill with three types of cancer.
The single mum didn't know how long she had left to live after her diagnosis was confirmed at the hospital seven weeks ago. She raised her five children - Hayden, 16, Morgan, 13, Cobyjay, five, and twins Caleb and Cole, three - alone with the support of benefits.
"It's been absolutely soul-destroying for them, the two older ones have been there and seen it all," Judith said.
"We have all been left totally heartbroken and traumatised by everything that has taken place and would love to give her a send-off her children will never forget to hopefully help them heal, seeing how loved their mother really was."
Describing Louise, Judith, who says she will be making a formal complaint about the treatment following the funeral, added: "We lost our sister six years ago to breast cancer - we have the BRCA1 gene.
"We always thought Louise was so much like my sister.
"She had a very witty, dry sense of humour. Everywhere she went she was smiling.
"It's just been awful from start to finish. I just want to make sure no one else goes through that."
If you'd like to donate to Judith's cause, you can do so here - £2,690 has already been raised to help cover her funeral.
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has told The Mirror that they are looking to investigate Louise's treatment - and have not yet received a formal complaint from the family.
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