Lancashire mother diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer

Karen Kennerley, a 57-year-old mother from Lancashire, has been diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer after experiencing extreme tiredness. The fatigue began in December 2022, and she initially thought it was due to her demanding job as a teacher. After a blood test suggested an iron deficiency, a doctor recommended a colonoscopy to rule out any serious issues. While a tumor was found, doctors initially said it was non-cancerous. However, during surgery in May 2023, further examination revealed it was, in fact, cancerous, and Ms. Kennerley was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer. In June 2023, she underwent surgery to remove the tumor, which led to a transfer of her care to the Christie Hospital in Manchester for chemotherapy. Unfortunately, in March 2024, she was hospitalized with other health issues, leading to the discovery of additional tumors on her ovaries and liver. Doctors have told Ms. Kennerley that treatment options are limited now that the cancer has spread. She is currently receiving palliative chemotherapy but hopes to access a specialized treatment in Germany that costs around £30,000. Despite having received some treatment that showed positive results, Ms. Kennerley is worried about her financial situation and how to continue funding her care. She wants to raise awareness about how patients with advanced cancer feel overlooked and abandoned.