Eliza’s story: A heartbreaking journey of misdiagnosis

Eliza, a 36-year-old radiology nurse and mother of two, had never experienced the severe and repeated illness that led her to the emergency department multiple times. Repeatedly, Eliza was told it was due to pregnancy and not to worry. Eliza trusted that the healthcare professionals around her knew best.

However, in January 2024, after constant vomiting, significant weight loss, and eventually being unable to walk more than a few metres, Eliza returned to the hospital, where doctors finally discovered the real cause of her symptoms.

Eliza had terminal stomach cancer, a diagnosis that not only threatened her life but also that of her 18-week unborn baby, Charlie.

This devastating news came just after she and her husband, Josh, had celebrated their baby girl’s gender reveal with close family.

Eliza shares her story as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of timely and accurate medical care. It serves as a call to action for healthcare providers and systems to prioritise effective communication and thorough evaluation to ensure that no patient endures the anguish and devastating impact of a delayed or missed diagnosis.

Biopsy results never received

A year prior, Eliza had visited her GP for reflux and underwent a gastroscopy and biopsy. She assumed the results were normal, as she never received them.

However, the biopsy had detected 20 invasive tumour cells – a finding that was never communicated to Eliza. If addressed earlier, it could have led to a curable diagnosis, with Eliza going down the path of treatment, not a pregnancy.

Instead, the deadly tumours continued to spread, while Eliza’s concerns were dismissed as pregnancy symptoms.

“My doctor said it would have been curable at that point,” says Eliza.

The diagnosis was crushing – Eliza was not only facing terminal stomach cancer but also learned that the life of her 18-week unborn baby was also at risk. What should have been a joyous time for her and her husband turned into a nightmare as they grappled with the news. Their confusion and grief were made even worse when they lost Charlie, who was born still at 18 weeks.

“This should never have happened.”

Eliza should have been provided with that critical medical information that would have empowered her to seek immediate treatment. By failing to act on those results – because they were not shared with her – the consequences for Eliza and her family were tragic.

We do not know what happened or why the test results were never passed on to Eliza – but we do know it is unacceptable and that it directly led to a terrible outcome.

The importance of effective communication in healthcare

Eliza's story underscores the importance of thorough and timely communication between healthcare providers and patients. The failure to relay critical medical findings had immeasurable consequences, highlighting the need for improved processes to ensure patients receive all relevant information about their health.

If you or a loved one has suffered because of a failed diagnosis or negligent medical treatment, our team of expert medical negligence lawyers are here to help you understand your legal options and achieve the best possible outcome for you.