The debilitating growth has doctors scratching their heads
A TEENAGER has been left unable to work or even WEAR SHOES after living with an enormous tumour on her foot that she HID from friends and even her own boyfriend for years.
After Terri Aspin, from Blackburn, Lancashire, had her left little toe amputated aged six, a remaining piece of bone went on to grow into a tumour on the bottom of her foot.
Despite the 18-year-old having gone to her GP and A&E multiple times and even having been referred to specialists at five different hospitals, the tumour has never been treated and leaves her in daily agony.
The tumour has developed so much so that, recently, Terri was let go from her job as a waitress, because her employers could see how much she was suffering.
She explained: “This tumour has taken over my life. It’s hard for me to even go out of the house, as I can’t fit into shoes any more.
“Given what it looks like and how much it affects me, it’s hard to believe it’s not classed as an emergency, but no matter how many times I go to A&E I can’t get treatment as no-one really knows what it is.
Terri has been told by professionals, that the tumour doesn’t have a name.
“Sometimes the tumour will swell and go massive, or shrink, or go all blue or black, spreading blotches all the way up my leg. My foot looks completely deformed.
In recent months, it has become so unbearable that she can now only wear slippers.
Shockingly, despite living with her barman boyfriend Sam Taylor, 22, of two years, she kept the huge tumour hidden. Terri only told Sam about the tumour three months ago and would not even let him see it until just last week.
“I was so ashamed. I just used to wear socks to hide my foot. Sam finds it hard to see me struggling so much but he’s really supportive.
“I can’t exercise properly, I can’t go on nights out and I hardly leave the house at all. I desperately want the tumour removed, but I feel like I need to go private for anything to get done.”
Terri’s mum Maureen, 43, had noticed when Terri was a baby that her little toe was longer than normal. She says doctors told her it was nothing to worry about, but when six-year-old Terri’s foot would no longer fit into her shoes, she had the toe amputated.
Following the operation, Terri began to be bothered by her foot. “I had to wear a boot at school and I got people saying nasty things.”
A check-up soon afterwards discovered that a small piece of bone remained in her foot; this has since grown into the enormous tumour that leaves her in agony.
Terri said: “My mum picked up on it straightaway, but they kept telling her I was fine and sending me home.
“The leftover piece of bone is still there and constantly hanging off the bottom of my foot. I have been referred to loads of different hospitals but each time I’m starting from fresh and they say someone else would be better equipped to treat me.
After receiving no help from doctors, Terri became exasperated and has recently set up a fundraising page in the hope of having the operation to remove her tumour carried out privately.
“I was referred by my GP to the incorrect clinic at a hospital in the midlands last year and I’m still waiting for the right referral. I’ve since had to see my doctor to be treated for anxiety because this has stressed me out so much.
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“They all say they’ve never seen anything like it so I’m passed from pillar to post in the hope of finding someone who will actually remove it for me.
She hopes that by raising money she will be able to have the surgery privately which will give her ‘some hope of a normal life’.
Currently all Terri is given to deal with the pain is crutches and painkillers. As the pain is so bad, she constantly has to walk on the side of her foot, which now means that her heel is pushed to one side in a ball.
“The tumour is spreading all along the bottom of my foot. It’s still growing and looks like warts all over my foot.
Luckily, the job centre have helped Terri to get an apprenticeship where she will be sitting down and answering the phone.
On the subject of having surgery to remove the tumour, Terri said: “I just can’t wait to have some hope of a normal life. I am constantly in pain and feel like giving up.”
Until she has raised enough money, Terri will continue to live in pain.
A spokesperson for NHS Blackburn with Darwen CCG said: “We are unable to comment on individual cases due to patient confidentiality. However, if the lady in question would like to contact our Customer Care team, they will be able to offer information, advice and support.
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