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A mum-of-two who was diagnosed with terminal cancer after doctors dismissed her symptoms as side-effects of the Covid vaccine has died.<\/p>\n
Katie Pritchard, 37, passed away surrounded by her family following 17 months after being diagnosed with cervical cancer.<\/p>\n
She raised \u00a3200,000 through crowdfunding for private treatment after being told that was her only hope, before the drugs company pulled out one day before her treatment was due to start.<\/p>\n
The NHS nurse manager was twice misdiagnosed after finding a lump, but was told there was \u2018nothing to worry about\u2019 and her symptoms may have been down to the Pfizer vaccine.<\/p>\n
She was also told she may have had a prolapsed bladder from having children. Katie was left insulted by another suggestion it was an STI, despite being with the same partner for 17 years.<\/p>\n
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She was diagnosed in January 2022 but was forced to wait an agonising three months for treatment to begin \u2013 by which point the cancer had spread.<\/p>\n
Katie began five weeks of gruelling radiotherapy, chemotherapy and brachytherapy in April 2022 and was initially told the treatment was a success.<\/p>\n
But in December 2022, after undergoing further scans, she received the heartbreaking news that her cancer had returned and was given months to live.<\/p>\n
Despite the devastating blow, Katie was determined to keep positive and on the day of her terminal diagnosis boyfriend Tom Cronin, 35, popped the question.<\/p>\n
In February, the couple said their vows in front of immediate family members during an emotional ceremony at Stratford-upon-Avon Registry Office.<\/p>\n
New husband Tom has now told of his devastation and \u2018indescribable pain\u2019 after revealing Katie passed away surrounded by her loved ones on June 17.<\/p>\n
Updating well-wishers on her fundraising page, he wrote: \u201cI wanted to start this update with a massive thank you.<\/p>\n
\u201cKatie and I were absolutely blown away by the support from people we know, people we don\u2019t, those in the UK, abroad, those with a personal story close to ours and to those who just wanted to help.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis support has not only been an obvious financial help, but has felt like we are not alone in our struggle.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a period of constant suffering and sadness, kind words and support have often been the positive to drag us through.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe past 18 months have been a rollercoaster. In particular, the last 6 months have been a particular struggle with regards to healthcare, viable options and emotional unrest.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn January, the immediate outlook was not great. Being given a terminal prognosis and \u2018months rather than years\u2019 meant overnight our lives changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn March Katie and I got married. Although not quite the way we thought it would be, we had the perfect day, celebrating the last 18 years with family and friends around us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could not have asked for a better day. Thank you to all those who helped us in any way.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving raised the money that we needed to start the Pembro treatment, we felt like at least we had a hope.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would at least slow down the cancer and prolong Katie\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe day before her first treatment however, we had a call from the consultant telling us that the drug company had pulled her drugs and that we would not be able to start on the Pembro, due to her Chemo drugs, timing and situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was, again, absolutely devastating and hit us hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Geography teacher Tom explained Katie was accepted onto another trial but that option was also taken away when doctors agreed she was too poorly to be treated.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe extremely fast pace of her disease meant that we were often chasing our tails and trying to slow it was in vain.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this point, all options had been explored and we were out of possible alternatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cKatie had already moved into her parents\u2019 house in order to manage her pain and gain the support and care that I could not offer with two young children in the house.<\/p>\n
\u201cBed bound and unable to sit up, the reality of having two children wanting her space and time became too difficult to manage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn late May, Katie\u2019s cancer and pain developed further and we made the joint decision for her to move into Myton hospice.<\/p>\n
\u201cPain, mobility and fatigue became a daily struggle. We were able to get a couple of hours a day with the boys in her room or playing outside.<\/p>\n
\u201cDue to the amazing work of Myton staff, she was able to have visitors, parties, trips to the pub, walks in the park and even got to see Cass at football training.<\/p>\n
\u201cKatie died with her family surrounding her on 17th June.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe space she has left is irreplaceable and the pain of losing my best friend and mother to my two boys at 37 is indescribable.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was buried at Tysoe natural burial ground with a very small gathering of family and friends on 7th July.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the time they tied the knot, Katie described the day as \u2018perfect\u2019 from start to finish and felt like \u2018cancer didn\u2019t exist\u2019 during their celebrations.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cIt was perfect and very fun with lots of laughter and silliness.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt really good all day and we all totally forgot about my cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe day felt cancer-free with lots of love and celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n
Describing her cancer battle, Katie previously said: \u201cI will continue on it for as long as my body can tolerate it or as long as I live.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to tell people how important it is to live your life and to go on lots of adventures.<\/p>\n
\u201cTurn off Netflix and go outside and enjoy yourself. You need to live for now and not for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n