Woman, 36, dies within months of complaining of severe headaches and fatigue

13 February 2023 , 12:43

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Leigh Kelly died aged just 36 on January 16 (Image: Leigh Kelly)

A woman who “refused to give up” died months after first complaining of severe headaches and fatigue.

Leigh Kelly, 36, discovered a small lump in her breast in October 2019 and was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer.

Palliative carer Leigh, from Ashton-under-Lyne, started chemotherapy to shrink the tumour, which was then operated on and later removed at Royal Oldham Hospital and went into remission in 2020.

But in early 2022 Leigh began to complain of severe head pains and fatigue and further scans revealed three tumours in her brain, as well as in her breast bone, lung and oesophagus.

She was given months to live and died last month after a strong fight, Manchester Evening News reported.

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Leigh first fell sick in 2019 but managed to beat the disease (Leigh Kelly)

Leigh was described as a "fighter" by her family (Leigh Kelly)

Leigh’s mother, Janet Caldwell, said: “Even from the beginning she was so positive and determined to fight it.

“She was never going to just give up, she told the doctors she would have any treatment. She was that kind of girl and never felt sorry for herself.

"It was extremely heartbreaking and scary for us all, but knowing Leigh and her fight, she just said her brain could handle more radiotherapy, she was that kind of girl and was so encouraging to other people who had reached out to her. Everybody loved her"

"We were so happy when doctors agreed to operate on her brain tumour. We knew she wouldn't live but they said they'd never seen anybody so happy in those circumstances. She was vomiting continuously and was bedridden.

“Every time we got bad news, she still came home and would always think of the positives. When they gave her two weeks left to live, she said 'at least I have had six months more than the average person'. She was so inspirational and just never let it get her down.

Leigh with her mother Janet (Leigh Kelly)

"She'd been stuck in bed for months and hadn't been able to do anything. It was very hard going."

Following her death, emotional tributes and pictures were shared to Facebook by friends and family.

Janet added she hopes people follow her daughter’s example by getting checked as early as possible as it could save lives.

She added: “I'd like to think that her story could help give strength to someone else going through this awful disease.

“Somebody's life could be saved by getting something checked and pushing the doctors.

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“If Leigh hadn't she might not have been here as long."

Antony Thrower