Debbie Forey, a 37-year-old senior support worker from Drumchapel, Glasgow, has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma—a rare bone cancer accounting for just one percent of adult cancer diagnoses—after doctors initially suspected kidney stones. The tumour on her spine doubled in size in just six weeks and has spread towards her lung.
Misdiagnosis and Discovery
Debbie first experienced a nagging pain in her lower abdomen in December 2025. Her GP initially thought it might be related to her reproductive organs, but an ultrasound and smear test came back clear. When the pain persisted, doctors investigated her stomach, as she had undergone gastric sleeve surgery in January 2025, losing ten stone without complications.
In early 2026, after forgetting her painkillers during a shift, she became so unwell that her boss took her to A&E. Doctors suspected kidney stones and ordered an MRI scan. While they found a harmless growth on her hip, further tests revealed a tumour on her spine.
Diagnosis and Rapid Growth
After additional scans, Debbie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in April 2026 and referred to spinal specialists in Newcastle due to the tumour's location. Initially classified as low grade, she was told she would need treatment. However, when she returned for imaging in June, the tumour had doubled in size within six weeks.
"The tumour is still testing as low grade but behaving like an aggressive cancer. It has now encroached on my lung and spine," Debbie explained.
Treatment and Fundraising
Debbie will begin treatment next month at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, undergoing two major surgeries followed by approximately six weeks of recovery. She and her family are fundraising to cover accommodation costs so her husband Chris and their 18-year-old son can stay nearby.
"It has just been a complete shock what was found. I just had a pain in my stomach. I didn't expect cancer," Debbie said. "I have an active and manual job, and was just getting on with life as usual. It's likely that the tumour was pressing on a nerve and that was causing the pain."
Uncertainty and Support
Because osteosarcoma is so rare in adults, Debbie had never heard of it before. "There has been a lot of Googling but as they aren't able to tell me what stage the cancer is, it's not helped at all. I don't really know what's happening and we won't know until I have the surgery," she said. "Doctors have been very honest with me that they might not be able to remove all of the tumour or what will happen after the surgery. All the uncertainty is quite terrifying, for me and my family."
A fundraiser has been launched to support Debbie and her family during the ordeal, particularly with accommodation costs for loved ones visiting her in Newcastle.
