Kelly Pendry’s (42) illness nightmare started already in 2016, when the 42-year-old from Ewloe in Wales suddenly began to struggle with intense pain and heavy, prolonged menstrual bleeding.
In an interview with BBCshe says that the doctor explained this by saying that the body probably needed time to recover after giving birth.
According to Kelly, she was advised to go on the pill or have an IUD inserted. She is said to have also been offered antidepressants.
– I felt like a drama queen. I felt like I was overthinking it all, and I started to wonder if it was all in my head, she says.
Pulled up the sweater – received a shock message
Had surgery
Eventually, it was more normal for the 42-year-old to have her period than not, she inexplicably gained weight and had a very swollen stomach.
It wasn’t until April 2020 that Kelly finally felt she was being heard, when a doctor examined the balls that had appeared on the inside of her stomach.
In November of that year, it was concluded that Kelly had benign tumors in her uterus, and doctors would treat it with a hysterectomy – an operation where they remove part or all of the uterus.
MOTHER OF TWO: Kelly and Michael Pendry have two children together. Photo: The Run for Kelly / Facebook
sea view
Unfortunately, the pandemic led to constant postponements, and the operation therefore never came to fruition.
It was not until the following summer, when Kelly’s stomach had grown enormously, that the doctors began to discuss whether it could be a sarcoma.
In November 2021, she received the shocking news: She had incurable cancer of the type leiomyosarcoma in the fourth stage.
Leiomyosarcoma is a Great Medical Encyclopedia a cancerous tumor that develops from smooth muscle. It can occur in many organ systems, including the uterus. The form of cancer is rare in Norway, with an estimated ten new cases per year.
“Insect bites” were rare diseases – death
Will help
Now she hopes her openness can help other women.
– I hope my story reaches those who are still in an early stage, so that they can say: “I want to take more tests” or “I would like to be referred to a specialist”. We have become better at talking about women’s health, menopause and menstruation, but I hope that we will become even better, she says.
– Have I been fired?
After she was diagnosed with cancer, Kelly went through six tough rounds of chemotherapy to have more time with her husband Michael and children.
– We have had stability for a year now, but we also know that this can turn around very quickly, says Kelly.
Running for the wife
The mother of two therefore wants a hysterectomy, an operation to remove the uterus, but says she cannot be granted this at home in Wales.
RUNNING TRAINING: Michael has put in hard training before he will run 290 kilometers to earn money for his wife. Photo: The Run for Kelly / Facebook
sea view
Her husband Michael has therefore started a project, «The Run for Kelly»hoping to raise enough money for such an operation in the United States.
In a short time, Michael will run 290 kilometers, from Ewloe to Haham, in an attempt to reach the monetary goal. For him, running has also served as therapy.
– If I am overwhelmed by something, I can run and feel better. Yesterday I hit a wall, but after running and crying, I felt better, says Michael.
