Young woman dies of cancer after fertility treatment delayed

Amelia Grace and partner Jay Potter had just started fertility treatment in 2020 when it was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Amelia, 24, and Jay, 26, who live in the UK, were excited at the prospect of becoming parents together.

Fluid was discovered on Amelia's fallopian tubes and she would need keyhole surgery before being able to conceive, Liverpool Echo reports.

Like many non-urgent surgeries, Amelia's was placed on hold when lockdown began in the UK in March.

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While she was waiting for surgery, Amelia developed severe stomach pains. She visited with her GP who sent her to Broadgreen Hospital for testing.

Endometrial cysts were discovered, however surgery and a biopsy wouldn't take place until December.

It was then that cancer was discovered.

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Amelia was diagnosed with Stage Four bowel cancer which has spread to her liver. Her condition was terminal.

It was a cruel blow to the young woman and her family.

Still, Amelia refused to give up hope, beginning immediate chemotherapy which initially showed promising results.

In a Facebook post on June 19 she writes: "The hardest 6 months I never ever thought I'd ever have to go through, but am nearly at the end of my treatment journey! And I can honestly say I'd do this from the beginning to see how strong in myself I have become, thankyou to everyone who has been there, showed support, donated money, and my jay for looking after me 24/7! Onwards and upwards and from now on and let's plan the biggest celebration party."

She even had plans to study nursing.

On her way for what was meant to be her final chemo session, she shared the happy news.

"Second to last baby bottle off one more chemo to go," Can't wait to celebrate me when I ring that bell in 2 weeks to end my treatment and enjoy my summer."

When it became clear she wouldn't survive her illness, she shared a warning on Facebook about the symptoms she had experienced in the lead up to her diagnosis.

"I don't think people realise what people can go through," she told Liverpool Echo. "I never imagined me getting bowel cancer at 23.

"The amount of people I've had messaging me since I put my story on Facebook asking about symptoms they've had.

"You don't realise how many young girls are going through stuff, I think a lot of us just put it down to girl problems."

Despite her devastating news, she noted there are some "worse off in the world than me".

"I've got a good family and boyfriend and a good support system around me. You can't let yourself get down, you've got to stay positive."

Amelia's final Facebook post before her death was on August 19, with her passing and funeral details shared by her family and friends.

Amelia's mother Theresa and nurses who cared for Amelia have set up a Just Giving page to raise funds for cancer research.

Theresa told the publication: "Two days before she died she had her nails done, her eyebrows and eyelashes done, as a 24-year-old that's really important.

"Marie Curie nurses arranged that they arranged it and paid for it, it was just little things like that which made her feel looked after and safe."

Nurse Claire Greene-Price will be taking part in 'Brave the Shave' and shaving her head to raise money on Saturday December 11.