'Doctors blamed my wife's symptoms on Covid jab, it was terminal cancer'
A devoted husband has told of the 'indescribable pain' of losing his wife to cancer after she was twice misdiagnosed and unable to receive treatment.
Tom Cronin's wife and mother of their two children, Katie Pritchard, became concerned when she came across a lump a few years ago. The 37-year-old raised it with her GP but was told there was 'nothing to worry about'.
The NHS nurse manager was reportedly given a string of explanations for her symptoms, including side effects from the coronavirus Pfizer jab, a potential prolapsed bladder from having children, and was left insulted by another suggestion it was an STI despite 17 years with her partner.
Eventually, last January, Katie was diagnosed with terminal cancer and devastatingly was given just months to live. And in June of this year, she tragically passed away surrounded by her family following a 17 month battle with cervical cancer.
Katie Pritchard, Tom, Cass and Percy in 2021 before Katie was diagnosed (Katie Pritchard / SWNS)
Katie remained positive despite her gruelling treatment (Katie Pritchard / SWNS)Describing her cancer battle, Katie previously said: "I will continue on it for as long as my body can tolerate it or as long as I live. I want to tell people how important it is to live your life and to go on lots of adventures.
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"Turn off Netflix and go outside and enjoy yourself. You need to live for now and not for the future." Katie was diagnosed with cervical cancer in January 2022 but was forced to wait an agonising three months for her treatment to begin - by which point the cancer had spread.
She began five weeks of gruelling radiotherapy, chemotherapy and brachytherapy in April last year and was told the treatment was a success. But in December after undergoing further scans, she received the heartbreaking news that her cancer had returned and was given months to live.
She crowdfunded £200,000 for private treatment after being told that was her only hope but her family claim the drugs company pulled out the day before her treatment was due to start. Despite the devastating blow, Katie was determined to stay positive and on the day of her diagnosis, boyfriend Tom popped the question. A month later in February, the couple said their vows in front of immediate family members during an emotional ceremony at Stratford-upon-Avon Registry Office.
Describing the day as 'perfect' from start to finish, Katie felt like her 'cancer didn't exist' in the midst of the celebrations. At the time, she said: "It was perfect and very fun with lots of laughter and silliness. I felt really good all day and we all totally forgot about my cancer. The day felt cancer-free with lots of love and celebration."
Katie felt 'cancer-free' on her wedding day (Joseph Walshe / SWNS)Now, two months after her passing on June 17, new husband Tom has now told of his devastation and 'indescribable pain'. Updating well-wishers on her fundraising page, he wrote: "I wanted to start this update with a massive thank you.
"Katie and I were absolutely blown away by the support from people we know, people we don't, those in the UK, abroad, those with a personal story close to ours and to those who just wanted to help. This support has not only been an obvious financial help, but has felt like we are not alone in our struggle.
"In a period of constant suffering and sadness, kind words and support have often been the positive to drag us through. The past 18 months have been a rollercoaster. In particular, the last 6 months have been a particular struggle with regard to healthcare, viable options and emotional unrest.
"In January, the immediate outlook was not great. Being given a terminal prognosis and 'months rather than years' meant overnight our lives changed. In 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.
"We could not have asked for a better day. Thank you to all those who helped us in any way. Having raised the money that we needed to start the Pembro treatment, we felt like at least we had a hope.
"It would at least slow down the cancer and prolong Katie's life. The 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.
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"This was, again, absolutely devastating and hit us hard." Tom, a geography teacher, explained Katie was accepted onto another trial but that option was also taken away when doctors agreed she was too poorly to be treated.
He added: "The extremely fast pace of her disease meant that we were often chasing our tails and trying to slow it was in vain. At this point, all options had been explored and we were out of possible alternatives.
"Katie had already moved into her parents' 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. Bed-bound and unable to sit up, the reality of having two children wanting her space and time became too difficult to manage.
"In late May, Katie's cancer and pain developed further and we made the joint decision for her to move into Myton hospice. Pain, 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.
"Due 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. Katie died with her family surrounding her on 17th June.
"The space she has left is irreplaceable and the pain of losing my best friend and mother to my two boys at 37 is indescribable. She was buried at Tysoe natural burial ground with a very small gathering of family and friends on 7th July."
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