Mum of five dies from cancer after doctor 'told her it was nothing to worry about'

The family of a mother-of-five who has died of cancer claim she was told she had "nothing to worry about" during a phone appointment with a doctor.

Christine Bond, 41, from Litherland, Merseyside, was told she had sciatica.

However, medics later discovered it was actually cancer, and Christine died just ten months after her diagnosis.

Her cousin, Clare Purvis, 41, said Christine had lost a lot of weight and became extremely weak during her short battle with the disease.

Clare said: "Christine had found a lump on her kidney two years ago and went to the doctors, but was told it was nothing to worry about.

"Then over the last two years she started getting really bad pains in her back, and her legs were sore and hurting her all the time. The doctors diagnosed her over the phone with sciatica, but it was getting worse and worse, she lost a lot of weight and she was so tired all the time. They then diagnosed her with arthritis in her hip.

"In January she was so weak and lost so much weight, stones of weight had dropped off her, so she was sent for bloods. She got a call to tell her she needed to get to hospital and they did more scans on her. She was told she had cancer in her spine and in her hip and kidney."

Following Christine’s diagnosis she was immediately put on treatment, however the cancer continued to spread.

Clare continued: "Three weeks ago they [the doctors] took her off medication because it wasn’t working, they said she possibly had months, then months turned into weeks and then they told us it would be days.

"I got a phone call on Wednesday [October 9] to say it would be her last hours. She passed away on Thursday, October 10, peacefully in hospital. It still doesn’t feel real, she has always been there."

Clare said she and Christine were best friends having grown up together, adding: “We are cousins but we went to primary school and senior school together, she literally is my best friend. We have grown up together every step of the way, we have so many memories together.

"I just can't get my head around the fact she has gone, and so quickly. If I feel like this I don't know how her kids are getting through it.

"She is a mum-of-five and has three grandchildren; Christine’s youngest child is just seven years old, her oldest is 26. Her daughter, 22, has been amazing, she has taken over looking after all the kids.

"All the kids have been amazingly strong. I wanted to do something to help them so I’ve set up a GoFundMe for the kids to help financially, especially with Christmas soon and two of them have their birthdays in November. I promised I would help with the kids, I don’t want them to have any worries."

Clare added: "I thought we would have had more time with her. I know everyone says this but she really was the most genuine person ever, I’ve been so overwhelmed by the support so far.

"One thing she was, she was made to be a mum. She had time for everyone, she loved going out and having a good dance. She loved life, she lived for her kids, everything she did was for her kids.

"If she could help anyone she could, even if it was just to smile at somebody. I think everyone is in shock because we thought we had more time with her, even if we had two years with her."

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