A woman has been given just months to live after symptoms she thought were being caused by menopause turned out to be the result of a golf ball-sized tumour.
Gail Redpath had previously been told she had a uterine fibroid and was going into menopause, which was being treated with HRT.
But when the 54-year-old discovered a lump down below, she knew it was something more sinister – and was devastated to learn it was a rare form of cancer.
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Even more distressingly, doctors have said they are not able to cure it.
Gail has been left preparing for her death and spending her final months with her family.
“I think I nearly blacked out at the news,” Gail, from Edinburgh, told Need To Know, speaking about the moment she was told her cancer was terminal, following a scan.
“I honestly thought the lump would just be cut out with surgery, but it was too late for that.”
Gail, a former administration worker, had been experiencing menopause-like symptoms, including irregular bleeding, for months before she discovered the lump in May 2024.
Her GP referred her to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where a consultant diagnosed her with a Bartholin’s cyst – a painful but benign growth.
Doctors removed the “golf ball-sized mass” in a short procedure using local anaesthetic and sent Gail on her way.
It wasn’t until weeks later, on the same day that her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, that Gail spotted several missed calls from the hospital.
The medics asked Gail to attend an appointment and “alarm bells rang”.
She was diagnosed with cancer and further tests found a 10cm tumour in her uterus – which doctors had previously thought was a fibroid.
Gail said: “I went alone – I knew what was coming and they said I had cancer, one that affects soft tissue and muscle, but didn’t name it.
“I was shocked but thought ‘no probs, they’ll cut it out and I’ll be fine!’”
It wasn’t until Gail saw her GP again that she was told her cancer was uterine leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form that came with limited treatment options.
The mass was growing downwards, making it uncomfortable for her to sit, and doctors monitored its growth while she started radiotherapy treatment.
Sadly, her symptoms continued to worsen, and in July 2024 she was told the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and lungs.
Following 10 rounds of radiotherapy to shrink the mass, doctors delivered the devastating blow that her case was terminal.
Gail said: “They told me my life expectancy was only a few months.
“I nearly passed out with shock!
“I was referred to oncology and told that any treatment would be palliative.
“They said my timescale was just months and I needed to get my affairs in order.
“My twin daughters were 19 at the time and telling them was awful.
“My poor husband – we’ve been together 36 years so I can’t imagine how he felt, but I knew I’d fight this with every breath.
“Telling my children, husband and close family was the worst part for me – devastating.”
Gail says her husband Michael, along with their twin daughters Eden and Macy, 21, have been understandably devastated by the situation, with their “lives put on hold” while they come to terms with the news.
She said: “I’m part of a huge family and I can honestly say they are my army now.
“Initially, there was a lot of tears and fears but we are a strong unit and we have been there for each other.
“My daughters both live at home so are a great help and my husband is one in a million.
“My parents live very close by and it’s been especially difficult as my dad’s Alzheimer’s progresses, but we all manage.
“I’m fairly open about things so we talk a lot.
“My husband ended up in intensive care last year and became quite poorly, and I believe it was stress-related, but in general, we are just living our lives.”
Gail is currently receiving palliative chemotherapy to keep her alive.
The mum-of-two is proud to have beaten the odds to survive, having been given just months to live back in July 2024.
Gail says she “doesn’t really ask” about how she’s managed to defy such odds, though she goes for scans every three months to check if there have been any changes with her existing tumours – or any new ones growing.
Gail is now undergoing palliative treatment and says the side effects, including joint aches and stomach pain, “aren’t too bad” as she knows what to expect.
She said: “Some days I just can’t get out of bed – chemo isn’t easy and I’ve been on it for 15 months so it does take its toll on your body.
“When I’m feeling fit, I’m out and about – taking the dogs for a walk, meeting friends for coffee and seeing family.
“I don’t work and I do miss it – I’d love to volunteer but I can’t commit to set times or days as I don’t know how I’ll be.
“I do get bored and sometimes feel quite low as everyone’s lives are moving on and they are making plans while I’m just kind of existing.
“But I can’t complain, I’m very, very lucky that I have a huge support system of family and friends who are there for me – my army as I call them!
“I force myself to try and live as normal a life as possible – once I’ve got my make-up and wig on I’m ready to face the world!”
Gail says she is staying positive for her children and keeping things as ‘normal’ as possible.
She added: “When I knew I was terminal, I sorted out all my paperwork, cleared out all my clothes, etc, so that my family wouldn’t have to deal with it.
“In November 2024, I started palliative chemo and have been on that since, with some good results.
“Unfortunately, due to this being a rare and aggressive cancer there are only limited options.
“It’s tough but I’m trying to live my life as much as possible.
“I’ve had a bit of a break from chemo as it is quite rough on your body.
“We’ll see what the scan results say and continue chemo – I’m planning on being here as along as possible!”
Gail is raising money for LMS Research UK. To donate, please click here.
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