MARIA Paszkiewicz died just three days after being told she had terminal bowel cancer after doctors dismissed her symptoms as food intolerances.
“She had a noticeably significant change in bowel habits,” her daughter, Anne-Marie, 43, said.
This included, “the need to go more frequently and often with some urgency,” the mum from from Coventry, West Midlands, added.
can make you poo more because the tumour irritates the gut and speeds things up, according to .
It can also block part of the bowel, making stools looser or harder to pass.
The cancer can stop your body from absorbing water properly, which makes you go more often.
The 76-year-old bowel habit changes were initially thought to have been an , but for Maria this “didn't feel right”, her daughter said.
Maria's got so bad she decided to request a blood test.
Further tests revealed she had stage 4 bowel cancer in August 2023 – which spread to her .
Initally, treatment appeared to show promise but the disease soon became resistant.
In mid-April 2024, Maria was given a prognosis of three to six months – though she passed away suddenly just three days later on 25th April.
“After that initial prognosis we spent the next few days calculating how long three months was and milestones coming up and what can we do as a family – but we didn't get to do any of that,” Anne-Marie added.
“So for her to then suddenly pass away a few days later, it was a shock to the core.”
To cope with her loss Anne-Marie channeled her into action.
She has decided to commemorate her mum by two in a week in her memory – the Boston Marathon in the US and the in the UK.
“It will be very emotional week, my mum passing has given me a whole new reason to focus on running.
“Running has always been my way of processing things, so getting a place in the London Marathon felt like a lovely way to honour mum and give back.”
Anne-Marie is running the London Marathon to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
“They were so good to us, and this feels like a meaningful way to give back,” she said.
Her initial target was £2,500, but she's already surpassed £4,800 and hopes to raise even more.
Anne-Marie said: “It's been amazing to see the kindness of people and the community spirit that shines through during times like this.”
The Boston Marathon is the only race Anne-Marie needed to complete the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors 6 Star Medal.
When she found out she'd secured a place, she couldn't believe it.
“I feel prepared – nervous but good,” she said.
“Training has gone really well and I feel as ready as I'll ever be.
“I've thought about my mum and it'll be nice to see my dad proud and happy too.
“Running for Macmillan too so it will be very exciting and I know I can do it!”
Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving, said: “Anne-Marie's fundraiser not only honours her mother's legacy it also highlights the powerful impact that charities like Macmillan have in supporting those who need it.
“We wish Anne-Marie the very best of luck in her London Marathon 2025 challenge.”
