Young mum dies weeks after mistaking cancerous lump for 'pregnant belly'

A young mother-of-four died six weeks after receiving a cancer diagnosis which she initially mistook for a "pregnant belly".

33-year-old Fiona Gallacher from North Lanarkshire, Scotland complained of severe stomach pains two months before discovering she had stage four adenocarcinoma - a cancer that grows in the glands of vital organs - on 8 January.

The Daily Record reports that she thought the bump on her tummy and sudden sickness was another baby on its way. However, after carrying out a pregnancy test herself, the results returned negative, prompting her to attend A&E.

Doctors immediately detected that something was majorly wrong and performed emergency surgery to remove parts of her bowels and ovary.

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Just days later, tests found she had advanced cancer and she was given between six months and a year to live. She sadly passed away on 22 March.

Her devastated sister, Kellyann, 37, said: "Fiona started experiencing severe stomach pains but put it down to just feeling unwell.

"Her stomach suddenly swelled out and she couldn't keep anything down, she initially thought she was pregnant because of the way she was feeling. She was so swollen it did look as though she might be pregnant.

"At that point, we knew something wasn't right, so she went to A&E. There was fluid filing her belly so she was sent for emergency surgery and they ended up removing her ovary and part of her bowels.

Fiona with her three sisters Kellyann, Ashley and Sarahann
(Image: Supplied)

"Days later, we were told she was suffering from cancer and that she didn't have long left. It was such a shock for us all, it didn't feel real."

Fiona leaves behind her four children Graham Hastie, 16, Kevin Hastie, 15, Emmaleigh Goldie, seven, and Charlie-May Mcfarlane, three.

Her other sister Sarahann is now looking after the siblings, having moved into their family home.

In a touching tribute to her sister, Kellyann said: "Fiona was an incredibly selfless and amazing mum, her kids always came first. She also had a great sense of humour. Up until her very last day, she was making us laugh. She'd give laughter to anybody.

"She had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. She always did her best to better herself and come out of the other end no matter what she was going through.

"Our sister was a true inspiration and someone we will miss for the rest of our lives."

Fiona celebrating her 30th birthday
(Image: Supplied)

The family has shared Fiona's story in the hope of raising awareness of the symptoms of adenocarcinoma. Kellyann has urged anyone experiencing the same symptoms as Fiona to get them checked out by a GP.

She said: "We all play down our symptoms and always think it will never be you, but it isn't worth taking that chance. I would urge anyone experiencing abnormal stomach pains not to think twice about getting it checked out.

"Don't leave it until the last minute - get it checked by your GP as soon as you possibly can."

A fundraiser has been set up to help Fiona's heartbroken family with the costs of saying goodbye. The money will also let Fiona's kids do something fun on the day of her funeral, to remember how much she loved to laugh.

Kellyann said: "Fiona said that on the day of her funeral, she wants all of the kids to go and do something fun once they say their final goodbyes. We're thinking of taking them to Flip Out for a couple of hours so they can remember their mum for the fun spirit that she was."

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