Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
A 28-year-old mom has explained the concerning symptoms that prompted her to go to the doctor multiple times before she was diagnosed with stage four gastric cancer.
Georgia Gardiner, from the UK, began experiencing sickness and stomach cramps last summer, leaving her unable to keep her food down.
She lost her appetite and 'could only eat small amounts', despite the fact that she'd usually consider herself a 'massive foodie'.
Advert
Georgia recalled: "My body was just rejecting everything. Then I was experiencing pains in my upper stomach. It was really intense, it was a sharp constant pain."
The mom got in touch with the doctor, but only got an appointment after 'four weeks of waiting'. When she did finally go, Georgia was simply treated with some anti-acid reflux medication.
Georgia's symptoms continued to worsen, so she returned to the doctor and hospital approximately 'six to nine' times to try and find the cause of her mysterious illness, only to be repeatedly told that it was related to acid reflux or heartburn. Months later, after a GP referral for further testing, Georgia underwent an endoscopy that revealed evidence of cancer.
Advert
On June 13, the 28-year-old learned she had linitus plastica, a rare type of adenocarcinoma that starts in the glands that line your organs.
The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, as well as into other parts of her internal organs.
Georgia recalled: "After the first appointment, we were full of hope that they could just remove it. Then when they said it was incurable, I went into a complete shock state."
Explaining that her 'whole world just crumbled', Georgia remembered asking: "Am I going to die?"
Advert
Sadly, Georgia was told she may have just 12 months to live, with any future treatment aimed at simply improving her quality of life.
"I feel physically fine," she said. "I was fit and healthy. It's just baffling."
Georgia has been left feeling disappointed at not being 'taken seriously' when she spoke to doctors about her symptoms, saying: "The kind of cancer I've got goes from stage one to four in a matter of months.
Advert
"I get angry sometimes because I think if I'd been taken seriously and they'd caught it before it had spread, then maybe we could've done more to prevent it getting to the stage it's at now.
"I never thought I would have cancer, I'm 28, I thought I was invincible."
With her two-year-old son, Arlo, to think about, Georgia is now determined to fight as much as possible while still creating memories with her little boy.
"I'm just going to try and fight this in every way possible," she said. "I'm planning my wedding, we were supposed to get married in a couple of years but we've brought that forward because we don't know if I'm going to be here.
Advert
"The thing that breaks me is how much I'm going to miss out on in Arlo's life. He's everything to me - he gives my life purpose.
"I'd say to other people, push for answers and don't stop. If someone else had this type of cancer and they can catch it at an earlier stage by making doctors do the correct tests, then at least I know that I've helped somebody then."
As Georgia continues to make memories with her family, a fundraiser has been launched to help pay for any future treatment, which you can donate to here.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
Emily Brown