Nurse left 'suicidal' due to three stone beach ball-sized tumour between legs
A nurse has been forced to give up work after a beach-ball sized growth between her legs weighing at least two or three stone has been left untreated.
Jacklyn Richardson is desperate for treatment for the heavy lump which becomes sore when she walks and has stopped her from driving.
Jackie, who has been left suicidal, relies on carers who visit three times a day to help dress her and provide personal care.
The lump has been there for two years and extends from her genital area to her knees, but has never had a biopsy carried out on it.
The 44-year-old, who has worked for NHS 24 for more than 14 years, says no attempt has been made to discuss its removal.
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Jacklyn says that medics have refused to treat her because of her weightShe doesn't know if the lump is a lymphoedema – a condition which causes the body’s tissues to swell – or a tumour or other condition, reports the Daily Record.
Jackie, who also has womb cancer, says: “It is horrendous and making me so miserable I have attempted suicide. It could be the Second Coming of Christ in there and I wouldn’t know because it has never been tested.”
In September 2021, she had cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection, which turned into sepsis. She ended up in intensive care and noticed the lump when she left.
Jackie from Scotland added: “I have been dealing with it ever since. I told my GP I was going to take a knife to it myself. It can be painful, it can get trapped between chairs and it is sore when I am walking. It is pendular and down below my knees when walking. Even when I am sitting it is horrendous.
"A hospital doctor told me months ago that he would refer me to a plastic surgeon but when I checked on Monday no referral had ever been sent. I avoid seeing anyone socially now because I am so embarrassed.
“I now need help to dress and for personal care three times a day, which is awful for me because I used to be the one providing personal care.
“The carers tell me the lump is very heavy – maybe two or three stones. It is like having a large kettlebell between your legs.
Jackie blames hospital negligence for her worsening condition and believes the hospital has been negligent in the treatment of her womb cancer – diagnosed in 2016 – as medics wouldn’t operate because she is extremely overweight.
The condition is being treated with drugs which have stopped it spreading but Jackie fears that may not always be the case.
She says: “I am an obese lady but I have seen people bigger than me on the operating table. They won’t consider me for weightloss surgery because I am not diabetic.”
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The last time she was weighed she was more than 35st. Jackie was in hospital recently and tripped over a doorstop. She is in “excruciating” pain and believes she may have broken her hip as her right leg is now shorter than her left and her foot is rotated.
And while she claims she saw an X-ray which showed a break in her femoral head, doctors have told her there is no break and the problems are down to osetoarthritis.
Jackie said: “I want the health board to review all three complaints. I need them to reach out to other hospitals to see if somebody can help me get rid of this lump.”
Judith Park, NHS Lanarkshire director of acute services, said: "We are sorry that this patient has concerns about her care and treatment. We would encourage her to contact our patient affairs team so we can address the concerns she has raised directly with her."
If you are struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch.
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