Linzi Craig, 22 years old, was experiencing an unstoppable episode of diarrhea and vomiting while she was on a holiday trip to Egypt. At first, Linzi thought that she had only caught a stomach bug and hoped that it would go away eventually. Six months later, however, doctors found out that it was something more severe, The Sun reports.
Linzi was on a trip with her boyfriend Darren Reid, 23 years old, for a week. After a few weeks, her symptoms of painful muscles continued to persist. Linzi, who’s from Newport-on-Tay in Scotland, went to the hospital but she was only prescribed sickness tablets and antibiotics.
After a couple of days, Linzi went back to the doctors and had a CT scan. They found melanoma, which is the deadliest form of cancer. Previous doctors had removed it from Linzi when she was a teenager. However, it had already spread to her stomach lungs, spine, and liver.
After six months, Linzi passed away.
Alanna Craig, Linzi’s mom, recalled, “We all thought she’d got a really bad stomach infection in Egypt and it would clear up. Even though we knew she had cancer when she was 14, we never thought it would come back. When it did, we were completely devastated.”
When Linzi had a mole removed, she and her parents were informed that she was in remission.
Alanna said, “We were relieved she could have it removed and all she would need was three-monthly check-ups for the next two years. As time went on, we thought everything was okay and that she was well. After six years, we assumed it was all over. It happened, she had it removed, and that was that.
“The cancer had spread to Linzi’s spleen, stomach, lungs, spine and liver. I burst into tears and just cuddled her when the doctors told us. It was so devastating to hear. I held Linzi close and told her everything was going to be ok.”
Linzi and her family wasn’t given a prognosis. Doctors only said that she had to start oral chemotherapy as soon as possible. A month later, Linzi began to lose control over her legs. After a few more scans, they found a large tumor on her spine.
Alanna said, “She wasn’t awake very much and wasn’t making any sense, but we sat with her and I plaited her hair and painted her nails. By December 27, she was asleep most of the time and really weak. I called Darren in the morning, because doctors said she was close to the end.
“We said goodbye and told her that we loved her. Around 8.30am, me, Colin and Darren were sat by her bed and, as Darren leant in to kiss Linzi, she puckered up, then slipped away. Her dying gasp was one of love.”
Linzi died after celebrating Christmas Day with her family.
