Mom’s kidney stones turn out to be terminal cancer

By Amanda Keenan

A mom whose terminal cancer was misdiagnosed as kidney stones is now fighting to see her daughter walk down the aisle.

Sharon Irvine first sought medical help after experiencing crippling pain in her lower back — but was told that the symptoms would eventually pass.

Two weeks later, the 57-year-old was rushed to A&E in agony, only for scans to reveal stage four lung cancer that had spread through her body, reaching her bones, liver and adrenal gland.

As her condition deteriorates, the mom of two from Drumoyne in Scotland has become the center of a family effort to fulfill her last wishes — including seeing her daughter Natasha walk down the aisle.

Natasha, 38, and her partner Stephen McGrath are urgently planning their wedding, fearing they may only have a short window of time.

Stephen described the crushing impact the shock diagnosis has had on the family.

He said: "Apart from some pain in her lower back, Sharon had no symptoms at all. She was initially told it was kidney stones and that they would pass on their own.

"It wasn't until she went to A&E in absolute agony that a scan found a tumor.

"That led to a nine-week stay in hospital while we waited for more tests.

"We were completely devastated when we were told not only that it was cancer, but just how aggressive and far gone it was.

"We never expected anything like this, It's unbelievably cruel.

"Now our focus is making every second we have left as a family count."

Determined to give Sharon something to look forward to, the family began making urgent arrangements for Natasha's and Stephen’s wedding.

Stephen added: "We know how much it means to Sharon to see her daughter get married.

"At the moment we don't know whether the wedding will need to take place in hospital or at home.

"We're trying to speed up the paperwork so we can move things along as quickly as possible.

"The only thing that matters is that Sharon is there, surrounded by her daughters, grandchildren and the rest of her family."

They suffered another heartbreaking setback after arranging a special retreat in Luss so that Sharon could spend precious time with her grandchildren, twins Reagan and Stephen, 19, and 2-year-old Remi.

But just days before the trip, Sharon began experiencing problems with her mobility.

Further scans delivered another crushing blow, revealing the cancer had spread to the left side of her brain.

Doctors have since told the family the disease is too advanced and aggressive for any treatment to be effective.

Stephen said: "Every scan has brought more bad news. It feels like every time we try to hold on to some hope, we are dealt another hammer blow.

"Sharon has been incredibly brave throughout all of this. She's fighting to stay with her family every single day.

"We all hoped for more time, but lung cancer is often discovered far too late. Right now we're taking things day by day and making sure she gets to do everything she wants to while she's still able."

Friends, family and members of the community have rallied round by donating more than $6,400 to an online fundraising drive aimed at helping Sharon fund her dying wishes.

Stephen said: "She means the world to so many people. Family has always been everything to her.

"What matters most now is creating memories that will last forever. Overnight stays, family days out, little trips away and as many special moments together as we can.

"Any money left over will help towards funeral costs and ease some of the financial pressure facing the family in the months ahead.”

He added: "We have been overwhelmed by the kindness people have shown.

"We can't thank them enough for the support, generosity and comfort they have given us during the most difficult time of our lives."