Mom with stage 4 cancer reveals symptom that ‘doctors ignored 14 times’.

Paula Hudgell — the remarkable mother who won the hearts of many in Britain by adopting and advocating for justice for her severely abused son, Tony — is now facing her own devastating struggle.

The 56-year-old mom, who received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2022 for her efforts in preventing child abuse, disclosed that she was dismissed by doctors 14 times before finally being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer.

“I knew something wasn’t right..”

For numerous Brits, Paula Hudgell is a well-known figure.

She and her husband, Mark, adopted Tony Hudgell, who is now 11, after he endured horrific abuse from his biological parents as an infant. At just six weeks old, Tony suffered such grave injuries that both of his legs had to be amputated.

Thanks to the dedicated medical staff and his foster parents, Tony managed to survive.

“I can’t recall a case where the level of care has been higher than this… because, as you know, baby Tony was mere seconds away from death when he arrived at the doctors’ surgery,” Judge Philip Statman remarked after sentencing Tony’s birth parents, Jody Simpson and Anthony Smith, to prison in 2018.

The Hudgells began fostering Tony when he was just a baby and officially adopted him in 2016. However, while Paula dedicated her life to ensuring Tony had a bright future, her own health began to decline quietly.

“I knew something wasn’t right, so I scheduled an appointment with the GP, but was told it was IBS,” Paula shared with The Mirror.

“I kept returning, but my symptoms would persist for three or four weeks and then ease up, so I thought perhaps the GPs were correct.”

Diarrhea and constipation.

For years, she endured episodes of diarrhea and constipation — symptoms that were often dismissed.

“I became accustomed to my symptoms,” she shared, “but then, after four long years, I found myself in the bathroom and it felt as if my late mother was speaking to me. I called the GP with the determination I would have if one of my children were unwell and said, ‘I need an appointment today.’”

“I approached it with a new mindset and refused to accept no for an answer.”

Paula mentioned that seeing bowel cancer awareness advertisements on television motivated her to request a test. “I had started noticing the bowel cancer commercials on TV and insisted they test a stool sample. Deep down, I sensed something was off, but being a busy mom, I pushed my concerns aside.”

When the results arrived in 2022, her cancer markers were alarmingly high. Just a few weeks later, doctors delivered the heartbreaking news: bowel cancer.

Currently undergoing chemotherapy, Paula recently shared that the illness has returned and spread, and is now terminal.

Considering one final surgery.

Nevertheless, she is contemplating one last significant surgery that might grant her more time with Tony.

“It entails opening me up from the sternum to the pelvis, taking out as much of the stomach lining as possible, and flooding my stomach with chemotherapy for up to an hour before flushing it out,” she detailed.

“This procedure is terrifying. However, if it allows me a bit more time, I’m willing to go through it because every additional day I can spend with Tony is worth any level of suffering.”

My diagnosis has impacted the mental well-being of the whole family. It’s challenging for all of us to comprehend, but I’m doing my best to help them prepare as much as I can.

Every year, around 150,000 Americans receive a colorectal cancer diagnosis — which means it’s an issue that touches many lives, even those who appear to be in good health.

If you ever sense that something feels off, trust your instincts and consult a doctor to have your symptoms evaluated.