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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Olivia Williams

Mum given weeks to live after Lidl sent her home with bad back

An "incredible" mum was given the heartbreaking news she had eight weeks to live after being diagnosed with cancer.

Christine Emery, from Warrington, had always suffered from a backache but the pain had recently gotten worse. The 50-year-old visited multiple doctors who thought the mum-of-two could be suffering from arthritis or gallstones.

However, last month Christine was told she had stage four pancreatic cancer.

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Speaking to the ECHO, Christine's son Ben Emery, 29, said: "It was only the fourth doctor who actually examined her stomach. The first one said it could be arthritis, the second one said it could have been gallstones. The third one I think sent her for bloods.

"Then the fourth one actually felt her stomach and said 'no, something is not right'. Then I think they followed up on her bloods and some bloods were really high.

"And they said 'this can't be right' and sent her for more bloods. They come back exactly the same and he said 'you need to go into hospital now'."

Doctors later told Christine she had an eight week prognosis and the cancer had spread to her liver and bones. When Ben heard the news he said it "broke" him and he "couldn't have thought of anything worse".

Christine Emery has been given a devastating prognosis (Ben Emery)

Speaking about Christine, who is also mum to Alfie, 14 and a nan to Ben's three-year-old daughter, Ben described her as "incredible" and someone always looking after others.

Ben said: "For me and Alfie she would give us her last bit of food. Mum has always given us everything she could.

"Mum is always helping everyone. Every day she will always be out, driving people to places. There was a lady who used to come into her work in Lidl and I think she used to struggle with going back and to and my mum used to help her. She's incredible."

Christine was also still working up until June 9, Ben added: "She was at the till in pain thinking 'oh it is just my back, I'll be fine' but it was work who sent her home for a week. That was when she started going to the doctors and things."

Loved ones are now rallying around Christine and her family and a GoFundMe has been setup to help the 50-year-old. Writing on the fundraising page, friend Natalie Murphy said: "I want to take some stress off her to help her children to make memories.

"Anyone who knows Christine knows she’s an amazing person, helps everyone, the best mum, best nan, sister, auntie and best friend. Just a kind loyal, caring, beautiful soul, so loved by many only has to meet you once and you won’t forget her. Any help would be appreciated."

To donate to the GoFundMe page, please click here.

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