Latest news with #JulieButler
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- NZ Herald
Police search for missing sailor Julie Butler and schooner in Northland
Police are trying to locate a sailor and her 18m schooner known to frequent Northland waters. Julie Butler, 55, previously lived aboard her vessel Blazing Shadz for several years in Northland but had been anchored more recently at Kaiaraara Bay, Aotea/Great Barrier Island. Northland deputy harbour master Ross
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Mum told she has 3 months to live after doctors missed easy-to-dismiss bowel cancer signs for two years
A mother-of-two has been told she has only a few months to live—after doctors took two years to spot bowel cancer that had left her in so much pain she could 'barely walk'. Julie Butler, 55, from Yorkshire, first began experiencing strange symptoms in early 2020, suffering pain in her gut and gaining two stone in weight despite not changing her diet or exercise routine. Her GP carried out a scan on her reproductive organs and concluded her symptoms were likely caused by fibroids—non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb. The grandmother was told she would need a hysterectomy to combat the pain, but due to Covid delays, an operation wasn't available for another two years. By which point, Ms Butler said, she could 'barely walk' and had developed extreme bloating. 'I was bloated all the time,' she said. 'It looked like I was nine months pregnant. 'But doctors couldn't put a finger on it.' The caterer underwent the surgery in July 2022, but the bloating persisted. During a meeting to see how Julie was doing since the hysterectomy, a scan revealed that she had a blockage in her bowel and she was sent for an operation to correct the problem. But during the operation doctors discovered two tumours in the grandmother's lower bowel. 'They said the tumours had gone into my lymph nodes, so they removed them too,' she said. 'Doctors told me it was cancer but sent the tumours off for a biopsy to double check.' The biopsy confirmed colon cancer, and doctors told them they were 95 per cent sure they had removed all the disease, but couldn't be certain. Doctors advised that Julie should start chemotherapy, but after two major operations, she was too ill to complete the treatment. A year later, Ms Butler started to feel ill again, so doctors referred her for an MRI, CT and PET scan in April 2023. The scans showed that the cancer had spread to her lung, liver and spleen, meaning her cancer was now stage four—when it is often considered incurable. Doctors delivered the devastating news that she likely had just three months to live. 'I have a granddaughter, and I was thinking about how I wanted to see her grow up,' she said. 'The day I got told I was stage four, I was worried I would never see her in her first school uniform.' Despite undergoing three different types of chemotherapy treatment since, her cancer is still continuing to grow. 'The NHS wants to try a fourth chemo,' said her husband Robert, a hedge cutter. 'But it is a catch-22 situation. Her liver is in serious trouble. If we carry on with the chemo and it doesn't work, she will end up with liver failure.' The couple are hoping to fly out to Germany so Ms Butler can undergo a specialist form of chemotherapy knownas Trans arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The treatment delivers chemotherapy directly into the blood vessels that feed a tumour, blocking the blood supply to the cancer. TACE is available on the NHS for the treatment of primary liver cancer, but Julie's liver cancer is secondary, meaning she is not eligible for the treatment. 'We have no choice now, we need to try it,' said Mr Butler, who is hoping to raise £40,000 to fund the therapy. 'If we don't try this, Julie is going to die, we have to do it. 'The fact that people have been donating to help Julie shows that angels exist and there are good people out there.' It comes as a global study of disease in 50 countries found rates of bowel cancer in under 50 year-olds are rising in 27 of the 50 nations. England is averaging a 3.6 per cent rise every year—one of the highest rises. Researchers from the American Cancer Society, who led the research said the rise in early onset cancers is no longer limited to high-income Western countries but is now a 'global phenomenon'. Some US research has suggested ultra-processed foods are causing chronic inflammation in the gut, which can lead to the disease. They suggested switching foods such as cured meats, mass-produced bread and ice cream in favour of healthier alternative such as oily fish, fruit and vegetables is 'vital' to staving off the disease. Around 44,000 people of all ages are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK every year, according to charities.
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Gran, 55, whose 2st weight gain was blamed on fibroids ‘devastated' as she's given months to live
A GRAN who was initially told she had fibroids was diagnosed with terminal cancer - and weight gain was one of the first signs. Julie Butler, 55, was diagnosed with fibroids - non-cancerous growth - after gaining two stone and experiencing pain in her abdomen. 6 Julie Butler was diagnosed with fibroids and told she would need a hysterectomy Credit: SWNS 6 But due to Covid delays, the gran had to wait two years for the surgery Credit: SWNS The mum-of-two was told she needed a hysterectomy but didn't have the surgery for another two years due to Covid delays and struggled with bloating and walking. But in September 2022, she was admitted to the hospital with a bowel blockage - where they removed her lower bowel and two unexpected tumours. The tumours were sent off for a biopsy, and Julie was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer. A year later Julie was diagnosed with stage four cancer and was told it has spread to her lung, liver and spleen. Despite chemotherapy the cancer is still growing and her husband Robert Butler, 54, is now looking to fundraise £40k for a life saving treatment called Trans arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The treatment delivers chemotherapy directly into the blood vessels feeding a tumour, and then blocks the blood supply to the tumour. TACE is available on the NHS for the treatment of primary liver cancer, but Julie's liver cancer is secondary, meaning she is not eligible for the treatment. Julie, a catering assistant, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said: "When I was diagnosed with stage four cancer, I was devastated. "I have a granddaughter, and I was thinking about how I wanted to see her grow up. "The day I got told I was stage four, I was worried I would never see her in her first school uniform. I put my bloating down to eating too many carbs - then I was diagnosed with cancer "I was worried that I would not be able to see her grow up. "We are at the point where the chemotherapy is not working for me, and we need to try something new." In 2020, Julie noticed she had gained two stone, which was unusual for her, and was also experiencing pain in her abdomen. She went to her GP, who carried out an ultrasound and hysteroscopy . Julie was diagnosed with fibroids in March 2020 and told she would need a hysterectomy. Due to Covid delays, Julie didn't have her hysterectomy until July 2022. I was bloated all the time, it looked like I was nine months pregnant Julie Butler Julie said: "In those two years, I could barely walk, but doctors couldn't put a finger on it. "I was bloated all the time, it looked like I was nine months pregnant." After the hysterectomy, Julie was still experiencing extreme bloating. During a meeting to see how Julie was doing since the hysterectomy, a scan revealed that she had a blockage in her bowel and she was sent for an operation. Julie said: "During the operation, they removed my lower bowel, and found that I had two tumours that were causing the problem. "They said the tumours had gone into my lymph nodes, so they removed them too. "They told me it was cancer but sent the tumours off for a biopsy to double check." 'Three months to live' The biopsy confirmed that Julie had bowel cancer, and doctors told them they were 95 per cent sure they had removed all the cancer, but couldn't be certain. Doctors advised that Julie should start chemotherapy, but after two major operations, she was too ill. A year later, Julie started to feel ill again, so she went for an MRI, CT and PET scan in April 2023. The scans showed that the cancer had spread to her lung, liver and spleen and given a stage four diagnosis. On the same day, Julie was told she had three months to live, but she has surpassed that prognosis. Julie said: "Being told you have three months to live is devastating. Being told you have three months to live is devastating. It was a horrible thing to experience, I can't explain it Julie Butler "It was a horrible thing to experience, I can't explain it." Julie then started on chemotherapy in July 2024 and finished in April 2025. Despite being given three different types of chemotherapy, Julie's cancer is continuing to grow. Her husband, Robert, a hedge cutter, said: "The chemo has been very aggressive, but the doctors have told us it is not ready. "The NHS wants to try a fourth chemo, but it is a catch-22 situation. "Her liver is in serious trouble. If we carry on with the chemo and it doesn't work, she will end up with liver failure." 6 In September 2022, Julie was admitted to the hospital with a bowel blockage - where they removed her lower bowel and two unexpected tumours Credit: SWNS 6 The tumours were sent off for a biopsy, and Julie was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer Credit: SWNS 6 Julie was told she had three months to live, but she has surpassed that prognosis Credit: SWNS 6 Her family are now looking to fundraise for life-saving treatment for her Credit: SWNS The couple are hoping to fly out to Germany for TACE but need to raise £40k to do so. Robert said: "We have no choice now, we need to try it. "If we don't try this, Julie is going to die, we have to do it. "We are waiting for some blood test results to come back before we fly over there, we are hoping to head over there soon. "My faith in the world has been restored. We have been in such a dark place for so long. "The fact that people have been donating to help Julie shows that angels exist and there are good people out there." To donate to the funding page, click here.
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Gran, 55, whose 2st weight gain was blamed on fibroids ‘devastated' as she's given months to live
A GRAN who was initially told she had fibroids was diagnosed with terminal cancer - and weight gain was one of the first signs. Julie Butler, 55, was diagnosed with fibroids - non-cancerous growth - after gaining two stone and experiencing 6 Julie Butler was diagnosed with fibroids and told she would need a hysterectomy Credit: SWNS 6 But due to Covid delays, the gran had to wait two years for the surgery Credit: SWNS The mum-of-two was told she needed a But in September 2022, she was admitted to the hospital with a bowel blockage - where they removed her lower bowel and two unexpected tumours. The tumours were sent off for a biopsy, and Julie was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer. A year later Julie was diagnosed with stage four cancer and was told it has spread to her lung, liver and spleen. Read more on bowel cancer Despite chemotherapy the cancer is still growing and her husband Robert Butler, 54, is now looking to fundraise £40k for a life saving treatment called Trans arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The treatment delivers chemotherapy directly into the blood vessels feeding a tumour, and then blocks the blood supply to the tumour. TACE is available on the NHS for the treatment of primary liver cancer, but Julie's liver cancer is secondary, meaning she is not eligible for the treatment. Julie, a catering assistant, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said: "When I was diagnosed with stage four cancer, I was devastated. Most read in Health "I have a granddaughter, and I was thinking about how I wanted to see her grow up. "The day I got told I was stage four, I was worried I would never see her in her first school uniform. I put my bloating down to eating too many carbs - then I was diagnosed with cancer "I was worried that I would not be able to see her grow up. "We are at the point where the chemotherapy is not working for me, and we need to try something new." In 2020, Julie noticed she had gained two stone, which was unusual for her, and was also experiencing pain in her abdomen. She went to her GP, who carried out an ultrasound and hysteroscopy . Julie was diagnosed with fibroids in March 2020 and told she would need a hysterectomy. Due to Covid delays, Julie didn't have her hysterectomy until July 2022. I was bloated all the time, it looked like I was nine months pregnant Julie Butler Julie said: "In those two years, I could barely walk, but doctors couldn't put a finger on it. "I was bloated all the time, it looked like I was nine months pregnant." After the hysterectomy, Julie was still experiencing extreme bloating. During a meeting to see how Julie was doing since the hysterectomy, a scan revealed that she had a blockage in her bowel and she was sent for an operation. Julie said: "During the operation, they removed my lower bowel, and found that I had two tumours that were causing the problem. "They said the tumours had gone into my lymph nodes, so they removed them too. "They told me it was cancer but sent the tumours off for a biopsy to double check." 'Three months to live' The biopsy confirmed that Julie had bowel cancer, and doctors told them they were 95 per cent sure they had removed all the cancer, but couldn't be certain. Doctors advised that Julie should start chemotherapy, but after two major operations, she was too ill. A year later, Julie started to feel ill again, so she went for an MRI, CT and PET scan in April 2023. The scans showed that the cancer had spread to her lung, liver and spleen and given a stage four diagnosis. On the same day, Julie was told she had three months to live, but she has surpassed that prognosis. Julie said: "Being told you have three months to live is devastating. Being told you have three months to live is devastating. It was a horrible thing to experience, I can't explain it Julie Butler "It was a horrible thing to experience, I can't explain it." Julie then started on chemotherapy in July 2024 and finished in April 2025. Despite being given three different types of chemotherapy, Julie's cancer is continuing to grow. Her husband, Robert, a hedge cutter, said: "The chemo has been very aggressive, but the doctors have told us it is not ready. "The NHS wants to try a fourth chemo, but it is a catch-22 situation. "Her liver is in serious trouble. If we carry on with the chemo and it doesn't work, she will end up with 6 In September 2022, Julie was admitted to the hospital with a bowel blockage - where they removed her lower bowel and two unexpected tumours Credit: SWNS 6 The tumours were sent off for a biopsy, and Julie was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer Credit: SWNS 6 Julie was told she had three months to live, but she has surpassed that prognosis Credit: SWNS 6 Her family are now looking to fundraise for life-saving treatment for her Credit: SWNS The couple are hoping to fly out to Germany for TACE but need to raise £40k to do so. Robert said: "We have no choice now, we need to try it. "If we don't try this, Julie is going to die, we have to do it. "We are waiting for some blood test results to come back before we fly over there, we are hoping to head over there soon. "My faith in the world has been restored. We have been in such a dark place for so long. "The fact that people have been donating to help Julie shows that angels exist and there are good people out there." To donate to the funding page, click 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.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Gran, 55, whose 2st weight gain was blamed on fibroids ‘devastated' as she's given months to live
A GRAN who was initially told she had fibroids was diagnosed with terminal cancer - and weight gain was one of the first signs. Julie Butler, 55, was diagnosed with fibroids - non-cancerous growth - after gaining two stone and experiencing pain in her abdomen. 6 6 The mum-of-two was told she needed a hysterectomy but didn't have the surgery for another two years due to Covid delays and struggled with bloating and walking. But in September 2022, she was admitted to the hospital with a bowel blockage - where they removed her lower bowel and two unexpected tumours. The tumours were sent off for a biopsy, and Julie was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer. A year later Julie was diagnosed with stage four cancer and was told it has spread to her lung, liver and spleen. Despite chemotherapy the cancer is still growing and her husband Robert Butler, 54, is now looking to fundraise £40k for a life saving treatment called Trans arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The treatment delivers chemotherapy directly into the blood vessels feeding a tumour, and then blocks the blood supply to the tumour. TACE is available on the NHS for the treatment of primary liver cancer, but Julie's liver cancer is secondary, meaning she is not eligible for the treatment. Julie, a catering assistant, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said: "When I was diagnosed with stage four cancer, I was devastated. "I have a granddaughter, and I was thinking about how I wanted to see her grow up. "The day I got told I was stage four, I was worried I would never see her in her first school uniform. I put my bloating down to eating too many carbs - then I was diagnosed with cancer "I was worried that I would not be able to see her grow up. "We are at the point where the chemotherapy is not working for me, and we need to try something new." In 2020, Julie noticed she had gained two stone, which was unusual for her, and was also experiencing pain in her abdomen. She went to her GP, who carried out an ultrasound and hysteroscopy . Julie was diagnosed with fibroids in March 2020 and told she would need a hysterectomy. Due to Covid delays, Julie didn't have her hysterectomy until July 2022. Julie said: "In those two years, I could barely walk, but doctors couldn't put a finger on it. "I was bloated all the time, it looked like I was nine months pregnant." After the hysterectomy, Julie was still experiencing extreme bloating. During a meeting to see how Julie was doing since the hysterectomy, a scan revealed that she had a blockage in her bowel and she was sent for an operation. Julie said: "During the operation, they removed my lower bowel, and found that I had two tumours that were causing the problem. "They said the tumours had gone into my lymph nodes, so they removed them too. "They told me it was cancer but sent the tumours off for a biopsy to double check." 'Three months to live' The biopsy confirmed that Julie had bowel cancer, and doctors told them they were 95 per cent sure they had removed all the cancer, but couldn't be certain. Doctors advised that Julie should start chemotherapy, but after two major operations, she was too ill. A year later, Julie started to feel ill again, so she went for an MRI, CT and PET scan in April 2023. The scans showed that the cancer had spread to her lung, liver and spleen and given a stage four diagnosis. On the same day, Julie was told she had three months to live, but she has surpassed that prognosis. Julie said: "Being told you have three months to live is devastating. Being told you have three months to live is devastating. It was a horrible thing to experience, I can't explain it Julie Butler "It was a horrible thing to experience, I can't explain it." Julie then started on chemotherapy in July 2024 and finished in April 2025. Despite being given three different types of chemotherapy, Julie's cancer is continuing to grow. Her husband, Robert, a hedge cutter, said: "The chemo has been very aggressive, but the doctors have told us it is not ready. "The NHS wants to try a fourth chemo, but it is a catch-22 situation. "Her liver is in serious trouble. If we carry on with the chemo and it doesn't work, she will end up with liver failure." 6 6 6 6 The couple are hoping to fly out to Germany for TACE but need to raise £40k to do so. Robert said: "We have no choice now, we need to try it. "If we don't try this, Julie is going to die, we have to do it. "We are waiting for some blood test results to come back before we fly over there, we are hoping to head over there soon. "My faith in the world has been restored. We have been in such a dark place for so long. "The fact that people have been donating to help Julie shows that angels exist and there are good people out there." To donate to the funding page, click here. 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.
