Thelma Ainsworth, a 50-year-old in London, issued a call to others to “get their symptoms checked as soon as possible” after her doctor husband Jonathan received a cancer diagnosis only three weeks before passing away. Mentioning that Jonathan was always a “fit, healthy, and active” doctor and runner, Ainsworth revealed that he started visiting doctors in 2019 with complaints of stomach ache but delayed seeking medical help for some time. Thelma Ainsworth remarked, “Despite being a doctor, Jonathan didn’t take his symptoms seriously right away and waited until it was too late.”

Just three weeks ago, Jonathan Ainsworth, at 59, was diagnosed with bile duct cancer and passed away shortly after. Thelma expressed, “This type of cancer is very rare and spreads quickly. It had progressed so much that we were always behind.” Jonathan continued his medical career after graduating from Cambridge University but had put off seeking medical help for stomach ache. Initially, he hadn’t consulted another doctor, but when his symptoms persisted, he was eventually referred for scans after inflammation was detected in his liver. Thelma mentioned, “Jonathan preferred taking his blood samples himself, and the day he came home and learned about the diagnosis. Three weeks later, he passed away.”

Bile duct cancer is challenging to notice as it often doesn’t show clear symptoms. The NHS states that this type of cancer often has no apparent signs, similar to Jonathan’s case. Thelma mentioned that after her husband’s death, she also struggled with postnatal challenges and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She explained, “Jonathan’s loss created significant pressure on both my children and my career while I tried to maintain balance. Through skills I acquired in the RAF, I coped with these challenges.”

Thelma mentioned that her relationship with her spouse became strained, and despite undergoing marriage counseling, Jonathan started a new job shortly after his death. After Jonathan’s passing, Thelma began to blame herself. Expressing feelings of guilt for neglecting his treatment and subsequent remorse, she disclosed that after the mourning process, she started writing a children’s book, a long-held desire. Thelma shared that in her book, she delves into profound thoughts on dealing with cancer and loss, stating, “I discovered my inner strength after experiencing such immense pain in my life.” Emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis, Thelma said that the most critical lesson to learn from Jonathan’s experience is to seek medical help promptly for health issues.

Despite the emotional and psychological difficulties she faced after her husband’s death, Thelma managed to stay strong. Urging everyone to “go for your check-ups,” she made a call for early diagnosis for a healthy life.