A mum’s journey from shoulder pain to a shocking diagnosis is a heartfelt reminder to cherish every moment. Laura Thornley, a 36-year-old from Liverpool, initially thought her shoulder pain was just from bad posture. Little did she know, it was an early sign of a much bigger battle—bowel cancer.
Laura’s journey hasn’t been easy. After months of fatigue and unexplained weight loss, doctors mistakenly suspected IBS. It wasn’t until a CT scan revealed a 10cm tumour in her small intestine that the true cause was discovered. The whirlwind continued with a biopsy revealing bowel cancer, followed quickly by surgery and chemotherapy.
Just when she thought she was on the road to recovery, Laura faced another setback. In April 2025, a 5cm tumour emerged on her stomach lining. Despite undergoing further treatment, the devastating news arrived in May that the cancer had spread to her brain. Laura was given a prognosis of six to 12 months to live.
Despite the heartache, Laura is determined to make every moment count with her four-year-old son, Isaac, and her family. “I’m just trying to live in the moment,” she says. From starting a memory box filled with letters and gifts for Isaac’s milestones to planning a special trip to Disneyland, Paris, each day is about creating lasting memories.
Laura’s story is a powerful reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of seizing each day. Her strength and perspective in the face of such overwhelming news inspire us all to cherish what truly matters: the time we share with our loved ones. 💕 #MakeMemories #LifeIsPrecious