Saying goodbye to a loved one is heartbreaking. But when a loved one passes away at a young age, it just seems cruel and unfair, and there are very few of us who can relate to how devastating it is.
Amy Redhead, from England, was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. She had been experiencing abdominal pains for months, but doctors had dimissed it due to her young age. Eventually, she was submitted for testing. Sadly, the cancer had spread so much that Amy was given just weeks to live.
Her family was devastated, but Amy was determined to make the most of her final days. She declined chemotherapy, saying she would rather make the most of the time she had left.
Now her family are sharing photos and videos of the 28 year old’s final days to help keep her memory alive.
Amy is a truly incredible person, and I think everyone should see her story.
Blessed I can enter 2018 with loved ones. Blessed I can enter 2018 full stop. Been a scary couple of weeks.. Vlog will be up tomorrow ❤️ lots of love, health and happiness to every single one of you ❤️
Posted by Amy Redhead on Sunday, December 31, 2017
Amy had suffered from colitis, a condition that causes the intestinal lining to become inflamed, since she was 11 years old, so when she first went to the doctors complaining of abdonminal pains, they assumed that this was the cause.
However, Amy knew there was something very wrong, and she soon made a discovery that confirmed her worst fears: she found a lump in her abdomen. The doctors finally sent her for tests.
Feeling slightly more human after my emergency, double blood transfusion on Friday. They’re grim (I’ve had 2 before) but…
Posted by Amy Redhead on Sunday, January 14, 2018
The news was devastating. Amy had bowel cancer, which had already spread to 70 percent of her liver. The doctors told Amy it was terminal.
“We were all devastated when we were told it was bowel cancer and that it was incurable,” Emily’s younger sister told news site Liftable.
Amy was offered chemotherapy to extend her life, but she refused the treatment. “She said she’d rather have less time and feel healthier in herself,” Emily explains.
Words can’t describe how important this little madam has been in getting me through my bad days recently. The sensitivity and instinctive nature of dogs is beautiful ❤️🐶
Posted by Amy Redhead on Thursday, January 18, 2018
Initially Amy was told she had six months to live, but sadly her condition rapidly worsened. But Amy wasn’t willing to let the cancer steal her last days from her. She began to share her journey on social media to help raise awareness of colon cancer.
The brave young woman shared poingnant photos and videos where she spoke frankly about her diagnosis and how she felt day-to-day. Most days she describes feeling tired and struggling to eat, but she has also managed to share tender moments with her loved ones. Her last post shows photos of her in her hospice having her nails done.
Thank you to the wonderful Lisa for taking the time to come to the Primrose Hospice and do my nails. I was in a lot of pain and breathing was a struggle, but she put me at ease and I feel a lot more relaxed 💕
Posted by Amy Redhead on Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Since Amy’s condition has deteriorated, sister Emily has taken over posting updates to her Facebook page, to share Amy’s final days with the many friends and strangers who have followed her journey since her diagnosis.
“We are so proud of the fight she’s put up for the last few months, she has been so brave,” Emily says of her sister. “But she has said she’s ready to die now and no longer be in pain.”
I really wanted to do a final video, but mentally I no longer have the strength. About a week ago the pain in my abdomen…
Posted by Amy Redhead on Saturday, January 27, 2018
Amy and her family want to use her final posts to spread an important message to anybody following her journey. If you feel that something isn’t right, that you’re experiencing unusual, persitant pain, go and get it checked out. This is particularly true for sufferers of colitis, as the condition can lead to a higher chance of developing colon cancer.
Watch Amy’s last video for yourself below. Her words and outlook are truly incredible, and I just had to share them.
If you’re as moved as I am by Amy’s story, please help to spread her message by sharing this with your friends and family on Facebook.
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