Essex mum has cancer surgery 'cancelled indefinitely'

Angela DePastino, 46, was diagnosed with womb cancer in June 2021 and had been scheduled for a total hysterectomy in a bid to eradicate the cancer.

Devastatingly, Angela's op last Monday was cancelled and is yet to be rescheduled - due to the hospital being overrun with patients suffering from coronavirus, she claims.

The psychotherapist said her cancer is getting worse by the day, and has pleaded with people to consider whether mixing with others - and spreading covid - is worth more than her life.

Angela, from Essex said: "The hospital said to me that they were experiencing a 'covid surge' and that's why they couldn't do my surgery.

"They said they had 20 patients in A&E waiting for beds and the wards were already full due to a surge in covid patients that saw them having to take over the ward for surgery patients because they have to keep all the covid risks separate and isolated.

"I enquired as to if I could go somewhere else for the hysterectomy and the hospital said they are looking into it but they are already being asked to take other hospital's patients because they're experiencing surges as well.

"It's not just my hospital, it appears to be happening pretty much everywhere.

"I don't blame the NHS, I don't feel any hate towards them, the NHS have saved my life, and this isn't their fault."

With no idea of how long her surgery will be delayed, Angela has now been left fearing for her life with every day that she waits risking her life even further.

In a heartbreakingly honest post on her Instagram page, mum-of-one Angela wrote: 'My urgent cancer surgery has been cancelled. Indefinitely. For the foreseeable future.

'Because the hospital’s overrun. With Covid patients. There aren’t enough beds. And the hospital doesn’t know when there will be. This is devastating news.

'For me, personally, every day counts. Every day, the cancer gets worse. Every day, my outcome gets worse. I. Don’t. Have. The. Luxury. Of. Time.

'And I’m only one of many. Of hundreds. Thousands. It’s not OK.

'Differing views aside, surely we can all agree that non-crucial things like socialising, holidays, events, etc. shouldn’t be paid for with the lives of others? (Especially those who, through no fault of their own, are ill & fighting to survive.) 'Here, in England, the government has lifted restrictions. To let the public do what they want. So here’s the crux of this post; what I want to say: Do the right thing.

'In every situation: think & re-think. Is what you’re about to do worth another person’s life - a drink at the pub, a night out/in with friends, a film, a sports event, a wedding, a “bit of fun”, whatever?

'If someone you knew was going to die as a result - or lose access to life-saving treatment - would it still be worth it? What if it was someone you loved? Or you, yourself?

'What about me? Is it worth my life?

'I don’t know what’s going to happen to me now. I’m anguished & terrified. I’ve lost access to vital treatment, because others — who are privileged with health & ability — have decided to get back to “normal”.

'There’s nothing normal or acceptable about that. We’re meant to look after one another. To help & protect each other. Especially those who are vulnerable & in need.'

Angela's battle with cancer began back in October 2020 when she was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer.

After having two tumours and a third of her colon removed, Angela underwent chemotherapy and found out she had the genetic disorder Lynch syndrome.

People with Lynch syndrome are more likely to get colorectal cancer and other cancers, and at a younger age.

Last month, Angela was heartbreakingly diagnosed with womb cancer.

Her hysterectomy at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex, was cancelled three days before she was due in hospital.

Angela said: "The surgery is urgent because, with Lynch Syndrome, the only defence is trying to catch any cancers as early as possible and acting ASAP.

"The risks of waiting for the surgery is that there is now a very real potential of needing further treatment and having less quality of life and/or ability to have a life.

"If the surgery doesn't happen soon enough, then the cancer could eventually become untreatable.

"If the surgery stops being an option then I would have to have radiation to an area of my body that’s already been ravaged by cancer and had extensive surgery.

"The doctors have said the current situation is still urgent considering the Lynch syndrome and any delays could mean further treatments which would impact my quality of life.

"They haven't told me a new surgery date. I'm trying to hold it together.

"I'm a private person but my post on Instagram was just a cry for help.

"People need to be aware that it's not just me, it's other people as well.

"I don't want to be in the limelight, I don't want to be the centre of a media story, but when nobody is saying anything about what is happening in hospitals, you can't stay silent."

Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust has been approached for comment.