Plymouth woman’s heart wrenching diagnosis

A Plymouth woman who was initially angry and devastated after a terminal diagnosis now wants to raise awareness about the disease she is living with. The 37-year-old has been told there is no cure for her condition which started off with symptoms that, she said, everyone should look out for.

Mel Lucas, who is born and bred in the city, she said that people tell her she “looks so well” and is “always so positive”. But the 37-year-old is bravely fighting bowel cancer that has spread to other parts of her body - and medical professionals have said it’s incurable.

Mel first noticed blood in her stool back in August 2022, she had been “checked out” but the cancer wasn’t picked up at that time. In March 2023, her symptoms became serious and she was rushed to Derriford Hospital A&E with abdominal pains and an infection, but it wasn’t until August 2023 that she received a cancer diagnosis.

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She said: “Cancer can happen to anyone no matter what age - or your status. Go and get checked out if you are concerned, we should never feel like we are a nuisance. I was devastated when I was diagnosed (in August 2023). It had been touch and go as it had led to infection, that could have become Sepsis - and I had to have an operation and a stoma.

“But I stayed positive and by the end of that year (2023) I thought I was through it and could live again. Then, in January 2024 I felt unwell again and discovered the cancer had spread to my liver and peritoneum. It is now stage 4 and sadly incurable.”

Mel is “overwhelmed” by the support and love from family and friends, many of which are helping her to tick off some adventures on her bucket list. Mel’s sister, Debbie Craven, has set up a GoFundMe to help make some of Mel’s dreams come true.

Due to having chemotherapy every two weeks Mel is unable to work. She said she really misses working and “having a natter” at the factory in Plympton. But due to ill health she is unable to continue with the job.

Mel’s cancer is metastatic, which means it has spread from its origin to other parts of the body. She doesn’t know how long she has left and “doesn’t want to know”, but she’s “quite positive” about the years she has left and plans to enjoy life as much as possible in that time.

She said: "I just get on with it day to day, it’s just bad luck that this has happened as I'm only 37. I do however feel extremely lucky and thankful to have my family and true friends that have stuck by my side. It’s a weird time, but donations to GoFundMe have overwhelmed me - and I have heaps on my bucket list.”

Mel plans to go to Ibiza “with the girls” and to visit Disneyland Florida - where she went as an 11-year-old with her family. She is also “Harry Potter mad” and plans to visit the Glenfinnan viaduct in Scotland, made famous in the Harry Potter films.

While in Scotland, Mel wants to travel to the Scottish Highlands, a trip to Italy is also on her bucket list along with a “visit to paradise” to somewhere with turquoise sea “like the Maldives”. The 37-year-old also wants to go to Longleat Safari and Adventure Park in Wiltshire - as she’s not yet been there.

Mel said that throughout her treatment the gynaecology team at Derriford have been “amazing”. She also praised the chemo ward (Fal ward) at Derriford Hospital and said how "incredible” Macmillan Cancer Support had been throughout her journey - they are based at Derriford Hospital's Mustard Tree Cancer Support Centre.

You can help make Mel's dreams come true by donating to the GoFundMe fundraiser here

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