A mum told by doctors she was being “overly anxious” was shocked when she was diagnosed with cancer.
Clare Crossey, 35, a former care-worker, checked online after suffering from symptoms including rashes, as well as feeling tired and unwell.
She was alarmed when it seemed to show she might have leukaemia so made an appointment at her local health centre.
Doctors disagreed with her self-diagnosis, giving her beta-blockers and arranging blood tests the following week.
Two days later she woke to find her gums bleeding so called Craigavon Hospital and was advised to come to A&E where tests confirmed she had acute myeloid leukaemia, Belfast Live reported.
Chillingly, she was told had she waited another two days for tests as she had been advised, she may have died.
The mum of two said: “I had a feeling in the back of my head that things weren’t right.
“A short time after arriving at the hospital, I received a blood test. The results came back very quickly and when both a doctor and nurse came to talk to me. I just knew it was serious.
"I was advised to go to the City Hospital in Belfast right away and on arrival was met by a consultant and nurse who admitted me immediately and broke the news that I might have leukaemia.
"I cried and the first stupid question I asked was, ‘Am I going to lose my hair?’ My thinking was that if I lost my hair, the girls would know I was really ill, so I would have to tell them the truth."
Chemotherapy treatment started immediately between February and September 2018, the young mum had intense chemotherapy and tests showed her bone marrow was clear of cancer.
There was another blow in December when further tests revealed the leukaemia was back.
She underwent a stem cell transplant from her sister, Alison and stayed in quarantine for three months while receiving full body radiation and chemotherapy injections.
Unable to continue working, she now spends her time taking care of daughters Lily 13, and Meabh, 10, whilst attending hospital on a regular basis for checks.
She added: “I am so grateful to everyone who helped me, giving me more precious time with my girls.
"On the 15th of this month, I will be three years post-transplant. I call this my other birthday, so I will be three. There is one thing I would like to say to anyone going through a cancer journey right now.
"You will have days when you are feeling sick, or perhaps feeling down, try to stay positive. Remember that no matter how rough a day you are having there is always someone worse.
"The right attitude and support will see you through all the dark days."
