Hi everyone,
I can’t quite believe I am writing this. I wanted to share my mum’s journey.
On 9th February, my mum became suddenly unwell with what was thought to be an infection. She was blue-lighted to hospital, started on broad-spectrum antibiotics, and sent for a CT scan. At around 3am, we were told that she had sepsis caused by a blocked kidney, but the scan had also revealed widespread metastatic cancer in her peritoneum, liver, and possibly lungs.
Her condition deteriorated quickly and she was placed in an induced coma on 10th February and admitted to ICU.
I won’t go into all the details, but our ICU experience was very difficult. Communication was often poor and consultants rotated frequently, which made it hard to get consistent information. There was also a failed biopsy, which delayed a confirmed diagnosis, while intermittent CT scans during this time showed very aggressive progression of the disease. By the second week, despite still not having a confirmed primary cancer diagnosis, end-of-life discussions had already begun.
Unfortunately, we were never able to wake my mum. Whenever sedation was reduced she became extremely agitated, which doctors believed could have been due to delirium, metabolic/toxic effects of the cancer, or possible involvement of small brain structures. A head MRI was never performed, so we never received a clear explanation.
When we finally received a pathology result, it showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, most likely ovarian or upper GI/hepatobiliary in origin, but it was never confirmed. Her official cause of death is recorded as metastatic cancer of unknown primary with sepsis.
My mum died on 8th March, with my brother and I sleeping beside her in her arms.
Looking back, we realise that she had been experiencing groin/ abdominal pain, recurrent UTIs, intermittent nausea and episodes of vomiting, which in hindsight may have been early symptoms of the cancer. Other than this she was fit, well and in her prime at 61 years old 
The entire course — from hospital admission with sepsis to her passing — was incredibly rapid.
I think what I’m feeling most is disbelief. It all happened so quickly that it still feels unreal. If anyone has experienced something similar, I would really appreciate hearing from you.
Thank you for reading
