Mum-of-two, 44, dies after mistaking bloating and fatigue for perimenopause before being rushed to A&E
Laura Dawson, 44, suffered with bloating and fatigue for several months.
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Initially, she thought her symptoms were linked to perimenopause - the transitional period before menopause, where oestrogen levels start to drop and hot flashes and menstrual changes can start.
But one night in March last year, Laura had to be rushed to A&E because her stomach pain suddenly got so bad she "could not move".
The mum-of-two underwent emergency surgery to remove an obstruction on her bowel.
The operation itself was successful, but a biopsy revealed she had bowel cancer.
Prior to her diagnosis, Laura hadn't experienced many of the typical symptoms of the disease, which include changes in bowel habits or unintentional weight loss.
Fatigue is one of the most common signs of cancer.
For bowel cancer, extreme tiredness and shortness of breath can be signs of anaemia, which can be caused by the disease.
Meanwhile, bloating is often brought on by digestive issues but if it persists for three weeks or more, this can suggest something more serious.
Laura underwent six months of chemotherapy and initially the scans were "promising", according to her husband Ben, 49.
He said: "We got one clear scan in August and it all seemed promising. But then in September we got the news that it was back and it had spread.
NHS rolls out bowel cancer screening to 50 and 52-year-olds after Dame Debs' campaigning
"That was absolutely gut wrenching."
Initially, Laura trialled some other forms of chemotherapy - but two months ago she decided to discontinue treatment, as it was only making her more ill.
Instead, she wanted to spend what time she had left with her family and friends, making precious memories and "living more fully".
Laura was supported by St Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham, south east London, who allowed her to live at home for as long as she could - meaning she could enjoy her family's company in a "comfortable and dignified way".
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After two weeks, she was transferred to in-hospice care. She died at St Christopher's Hospice on June 29.
Ben, who was with Laura at the end, said her death was "peaceful".
He continued: "The care Laura received at home from the carers from St Christopher's allowed her to have her final two weeks at home in a comfortable and dignified way.
"Then, during the nearly three weeks she stayed at the hospice, she was so well looked after - and everyone there was so compassionate and so caring - that it made Laura's last few days so good for her.
"We're eternally grateful that such a positive experience could come from such a negative situation."
'Happiest days of my life'
Despite knowing she was dying, Laura previously said some of her final days were some of her "happiest".
She said: "Some of the happiest days of my life have been in the last few weeks.
"As a society, we shy away from the process of dying.
"By doing that, we reinforce negative ideas around death. People think death is always going to be painful and traumatic, but it doesn't have to be.
"Deep down we all know we are going to die. Cancer has forced me to acknowledge it.
"Since then I've lived more fully than I've ever done, and that has been a gift."
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.
Ben explained that he and Laura viewed the time they had together as a blessing - even if they both wished they had longer.
He said: "Laura could have died on that operating table back in March. Life can be cut short unexpectedly and suddenly.
"But knowing Laura was going to die meant everyone had the opportunity to say what they wanted to say to her.
"When it comes to the funeral, I won't have to stand up there and say all those things I wished I had said to her. Because I told her, and so did the kids.
"Obviously, I'd prefer to keep her - and have her for the rest of my life.
"But she died knowing she is loved and that we will miss her endlessly. That is a blessing."
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Ben said that throughout the process, he and Laura "spoke very openly" with their sons Jacob, 17, and Theo, 15.
Ben said: "We've always told them what the possible outcomes are - because we want to prepare them for what might happen and we want them to be able to trust what we're saying.
"That's definitely helped us throughout."
Ben said that Laura wanted to share her story to help other people deal with dying and death.
He said: "The way she's approached this has been incredible. I don't think there's been a day in this process where Laura truly let this get to her.
"This is unfair. She's had her life cut short by 40 or 50 years. But she's seeing the beauty in the small things - taking joy in what she can do.
"They say people are glass half empty or glass half full. Laura was always happy enough just to have a glass.
"She wants to share that with people."
Laura also used what time she had left to create memories for her loved ones - writing letters, organising mementos and buying sentimental gifts to be remembered by.
"She bought me [a watch] when we got engaged and now the boys have one too," Ben said.
"That way, on special occasions, like their weddings, they can look at it and know she's with them and thought about that day."
Speaking about Laura, Ben continued: "We met 24 years ago. They talk about love at first sight - and it was that.
"She's been my constant companion ever since.
"Laura is generous to a fault - and the kind of person who is friends with someone after a minute of chatting to them.
"She's just a really, really nice person."
You can donated to St Christopher's Hospice here, Cancer Research here and Guy's and St Thomas' - where Laura was treated - here.
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