Cancer robs two children of
CANCER struck cruelly quickly to rob two children of their “fun loving” young mum.
Now the family of Kara Hogland have spoken of their devastation at her sudden death at the age of just 29.
Kara, from Wallsend, complained of migraines for six weeks and paid several visits to her GP
and accident and emergency.
The care worker panicked the gastric cancer she successfully battled five years ago had returned.
Her worst fears were confirmed when blood tests and scans at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington revealed she had bone cancer.
Medics warned the 29-year-old might not have long to live, and she passed away just eight days later.
Grieving sister Kayleigh Finnigan says Kara’s family are still reeling from the sheer speed of her decline, and are trying to remain strong for 11-year-old Luke and six-year-old Abbi.
She said: “It’s hard for us all to process. It’s still quite hard to be believe.
“Me and Kara were so close, I can’t even put it into words.
“We’re taking it day by day, and trying to focus on the kids and being strong for them to get through it.
“Everyone is devastated. There are no words. Especially being so close to Christmas, it’s really hard.”
Kara had three quarters of her stomach removed at the age of 24 in her fight against gastric cancer.
The young mum had a history of suffering migraines, which meant her recent symptoms were initially not considered serious.
But after more than a month of complaining, tests were carried out after her latest visit to A&E and she was diagnosed with bone cancer on November 16.
Customer service representative Kayleigh drove her sister back home that night.
She said: “Kara was saying she didn’t not feel like she had cancer.
“She was ill while on the phone to me the next day. It was heartbreaking hearing her in that much pain.
“I called for 111 and she was taken to hospital. Unfortunately she didn’t come back out.”
Kayleigh was due to visit Kara on the afternoon of November 24, but did not receive the usual morning phone call from her sister.
The hospital assured Kayleigh