Doctors told mum there was 'nothing to worry about' - but she was dead 10 months later

A mum died after a being diagnosed with after being told she had sciatica and then , her family said.

Christine Bond, 41, from Litherland, Merseyside, died 10 months after finally being diagnosed with , and her cousin Clare Purvis has now said doctors told her there was "nothing to worry about".

She said: “Christine had found a lump on her kidney two years ago and went to the doctors, but was told it was nothing to worry about. Then over the last two years she started getting really bad pains in her back, and her legs were sore and hurting her all the time.

"The doctors diagnosed her over the phone with sciatica, but it was getting worse and worse, she lost a lot of weight and she was so tired all the time. They then diagnosed her with in her hip.

“In January she was so weak and lost so much weight, stones of weight had dropped off her, so she was sent for bloods. She got a call to tell her she needed to get to hospital and they did more scans on her. She was told she had cancer in her spine and in her hip and kidney.”

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Following Christine’s diagnosis, she was immediately put on treatment. However, the cancer continued to spread. Clare said: “Three weeks ago they [the doctors] took her off medication because it wasn’t working. They said she possibly had months, then months turned into weeks and then they told us it would be days.

“I got a phone call on Wednesday [October 9] to say it would be her last hours. She passed away on Thursday, October 10, peacefully in hospital. It still doesn’t feel real, she has always been there.”

Clare, 41, told the that her and Christine were best friends, having grown up together. She said: “We are cousins but we went to primary school and senior school together, she literally is my best friend. We have grown up together every step of the way, we have so many memories together.

“I just can't get my head around the fact she has gone, and so quickly. If I feel like this I don't know how her kids are getting through it.” Clare added: “She is a mum-of-five and has three grandchildren; Christine’s youngest child is just seven years old, her oldest is 26. Her daughter, 22, has been amazing, she has taken over looking after all the kids.

“All the kids have been amazingly strong. I wanted to do something to help them so I’ve set up a to help financially, especially with soon and two of them have their birthdays in November. I promised I would help with the kids, I don’t want them to have any worries.”

Clare said: “I thought we would have had more time with her. I know everyone says this but she really was the most genuine person ever, I’ve been so overwhelmed by the support so far. One thing she was, she was made to be a mum. She had time for everyone, she loved going out and having a good dance. She loved life, she lived for her kids, everything she did was for her kids.

“If she could help anyone she could, even if it was just to smile at somebody. I think everyone is in shock because we thought we had more time with her, even if we had two years with her.”