In Loving memory of Jillian McCutcheon- aged 62

Faye Mccutcheon is organizing this fundraiser to benefit Cancer Research UK.

This is our Mam's story, sadly a very short one at that.

Over a period of months our Mam contacted her GP; following the advice and allowing medication to take effect as discussed. During this time our Mam was waiting for an appointment at the hospital. This was due to her initial symptoms of abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding which started in October 2020. At her appointment she was prescribed HRT as it was thought her problem could be Gynaecological. She also reported feeling bloated at the same appointment in December 2020. She then went on to receive a Hysteroscopy to further investigate which came back clear. She later developed nausea and dizziness and feeling tired. This was all within a couple of months until March 2021 where she reported a loss of appetite and changes to her bowel movements. At this stage the GP began to treat our Mam for constipation and she was encouraged to eat a high fibre diet. After this followed excruciating abdominal pain and being unable to pass wind.

In April 2021 our Mams symptoms got increasingly worse. After contacting her GP she received an ultrasound on 23rd of April. The results showed no evidence of any Cancer and were described as 'unremarkable' by the consultant. The doctor mentioned that the scan only showed a small amount of fluid which at this stage we thought nothing of. He asked to see her again in 6 months. Very worried by this our Mam asked if she could have a CT scan to further investigate; which she received on May 5th 2021. A few days later, May 8th she was admitted into hospital struggling to eat and cope with the excruciating pain. The ambulance took her to A&E at the RVI in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. This is where our poor Mams true diagnosis really began.

Following 6 days in the RVI our Mam had blood tests and samples of fluid taken from her very swollen tummy taken and tested by cytology. We later discovered this was Ascites-a build up of fluid which was a by-product of her Cancer. She was found to have a large amount of ascitic fluid in her abdomen, 12 Litres in total was drained at a later date! Just imagine what that weight would feel like; squeezing and crushing your entire back and abdomen. She was discharged and referred to an Oncology Consultant at the Freeman hospital in Newcastle.

Our Mam was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer on 14th May 2021. Her illness was terminal and we were told any Chemotherapy would only prolong life and would not be a 'cure'. Her treatment would be due to start June 2nd. The results from her CT scan showed no clear primary Cancer and it was unclear exactly where in the Bowel it was. The Consultant said it could be anywhere from the gullet down to the large Bowel. To alleviate her awful symptoms a broad spectrum chemotherapy of the gastrointestinal tract would prove the most effective in shrinking the cancer. Due to not knowing exactly where her cancer was she was told an endoscopy and a colonoscopy should be carried out to get a better look. However there was a 6-8 week wait for the colonoscopy! This was time our Mam didn't have. Her Cancer was diagnosed as Metastatic Adenocarcinoma; meaning it's a very aggressive cancer that spreads to other areas of the body quickly.

Devastated by this awful news we tried to remain hopeful that the treatment discussed with the doctor could provide us all with a few months or even years together. Unfortunately on 1st June 2021 our lovely Mam passed away at home with all her family around her- just 2 weeks after she was diagnosed.

We have set up this page with the hope of raising money in memory of our wonderful Mam (4 children), loving wife, incredible nanna (4 grandchildren) and dear friend to many. We would also like to raise money for Cancer research, particularly with the hope of improving the diagnosis and late stage cancer treatment. We would like to raise £1000 or better still even more! Which will go directly to Cancer research UK.

We all live in hope that if ourselves or a loved one are faced with such a life altering event, that we can rely on today's medical advancements to diagnose and treat what's wrong with us. our Mam had carried out the NHS routine Bowel screening poop test twice in March 2021 and the result came back negative! Additionally her CT scan and ultrasounds showed little to no indication of the Cancers location. Blood test and ascitic fluid found in her tummy provided the only solid evidence of Cancer being present.

The final days of our Mams life confirmed with her last CT scan (26th May) she had Cancer of the Kidney, Bladder, around her Bowel, Peritoneal omental malignancy and blood clots on her lungs. This became evident less than 1 month apart from her first CT scan on May 5th. I write this with the hope of raising awareness to you all that cancer isn't always clear-cut to diagnose and often isn't identifiable where it is.

Please Donate in memory of our lovely Mam Jill, taken far too soon at 62 years old. Cancer affects 1 in 2 of us, Meaning half of the people who read this will be affected at some point in their life. It will be these people that the money raised will help with their treatment in the future. Our Mam never smoked, only drank the occasional glass of prosecco, was a healthy eater and exercised regularly.We desperately need better diagnosis and treatment for us all. Nobody knows what could be around the corner and who Cancer will take next. Please don't let it be you. Life is so precious.