(Claire Armishaw via SWNS)
By Ed Chatterton
A man who thought his stomach pain was due to gallstones died eight months later after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Michael Armishaw, 43, had first blamed his sickness and stomach pain on just being a stomach bug after falling ill last August.
But after his symptoms persisted his sister Claire, who had previously suffered from gallstones, suggested he might have the same problem.
Armishaw attended the emergency room in September suspecting he had gallstones and doctors agreed it was the most likely prognosis.
But following a number of tests and scans, medics told him he had stage four pancreatic cancer and gave him just 12 months to live.
Armishaw died last Sunday, April 26, surrounded by family at King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.
Claire has now spoken of her devastation after his death marked a second tragedy having lost their dad just a year ago from cancer too.
Claire, 45, of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, said: "He thought he just had a stomach bug at first.
"But after his symptoms got worse after a couple of weeks, I suggested it might be gallstones as I had the same and my gallbladder removed.
(Claire Armishaw via SWNS)
"When we went to hospital even doctors thought the same but he underwent a series of tests.
"We were then just left numb to be told it was stage 4 pancreatic cancer and he had about a year to live."
Armishaw underwent six grueling rounds of chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy but the treatment did not work.
Claire, who is a full-time caregiver for her mom, added: "They call it the silent killer as symptoms don't appear until late on.
"It’s unbelievable really, just weeks after showing symptoms they tell him he was stage 4.
"He either thought it was a stomach bug or issues from a previous liver diagnosis.
"You're not expecting to be diagnosed with cancer as he wasn't really that old.
"He was devastated when he found out — and we were all in shock. My dad only died a year ago of lung cancer.
"Only nine months after that, we found out my brother had cancer as well. It was another blow to the system.
"Michael felt guilty about getting cancer because of what we'd been through as a family.
"He kept apologizing saying he didn't want us to go through all again.
"But we of course told him it wasn't his fault and we loved him."
The disease had spread to his liver and lymph nodes and reached his brain by November.
He was left bed-bound and unable to communicate after suffering a seizure on April 18.
Armishaw was put in end-of-life care and died in the hospital a week later.
(Claire Armishaw via SWNS)
Claire added: "We're devastated with losing both Michael and my father in such a short space of time.
"Our mom is housebound too and she's really struggling to come to terms with these two huge losses.
"It just really knocks you back and I'm still in shock I think. "
Claire is now fundraising for her brother's funeral costs after previously struggling after their father's recent funeral and Armishaw's treatment costs.
Claire added: "We want to give Michael the send-off he deserves.
“I am worrying about the inevitable cost and where it’s going to come from.
“He didn’t realize how much we all loved him so I’m hoping in death he certainly does now."
The NHS says symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include: jaundice, loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to, feeling tired or having no energy, a high temperature, or feeling hot, cold or shivery.
Other symptoms include feeling or being sick, diarrhea or constipation, pain at the top part of your stomach and your back as well as symptoms of indigestion, such as feeling bloated.
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