Mum-of-two Rashelle Banks had her appendix removed after a misdiagnosis, she then spent Christmas Day in hospital

A mum-of-two spent the holidays in hospital away from her young family due to receiving surgery for the removal of an organ. Doctors soon discovered the true cause of her symptoms.

Rashelle Banks, who has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer called acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL), with her partner Cody and daughter Mia. Picture: Supplied by family.

A mum-of-two spent Christmas away from her young children after doctors wrongly removed her appendix before they finally discovered the true cause of her symptoms.

Rashelle Banks watched her eight-year-old daughter Mia and five-year-old son Oliver open their presents on Facetime from her bed at the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

She had been suffering with flu-like symptoms since the beginning of December.

But it wasn’t until earlier January when a doctor decided to conduct a bone marrow biopsy which confirmed the worst.

Rashelle underwent surgery to remove her appendix. Picture: Supplied by family.

The 28-year-old then underwent a surgery to remove part of her bowel because doctors believed she was suffering with Crohn’s disease. Picture: Supplied by family.

The Angle Vale mum had acute promyelocytic leukaemia — rare type of blood cancer.

The diagnosis came after Ms Banks had her appendix removed.

“I’m thankful for this one doctor … but it shouldn’t have taken 20 or so days for them to,” the 28-year-old said.

“It was really frustrating. I spent Christmas and News Years away from my family, I was so unwell … I was lonely … it was awful.”

Rashelle and her partner of 11 years Cody Cameron. Picture: Supplied by family.

The young mum said she ended up in intensive care during the ordeal.

She said doctors believed at first she needed her appendix removed, she was then discharged but the symptoms persisted.

“I went to the gym every day … you just never really think that one day you’re going to wake up and have flu-like symptoms and then get this diagnosis,” the young mum said.

“It still shocks me. Everyday I wake up in the hospital room, I’m like ‘God damn, I'm still here, it’s not a dream’.”

Rashelle said when she was told she had leukaemia she “cried for hours”. Picture: Supplied by family.

When Ms Banks eventually discovered she had leukaemia she said she “cried for hours”.

“Thankfully my diagnosis is quite treatable, it’s just a very long journey,” she said.

“I was just thinking of my kids.”

Her cancer diagnosis will mean she will miss the first day of school for her little ones and life will look different for her family with her partner of 11 years Cody Cameron needing to take on her duties.

“He’s picked up all the pieces … he’s been awesome, he’s a sweetheart,” she said.

“He’s been in here everyday, doing the washing and washing my hair.”

Cody has been coming into the Lyell McEwin Hospital everyday to care for his partner. Picture: Supplied by family.

An SA Health spokeswoman said Ms Banks’ treating doctor made the decision to operate based on a clinical assessment and a clinical review of her case had not identified any inappropriate care.

She said NALHN had not received a formal complaint from Ms Banks but had reached out to her to discuss any concerns.

“We extend our sympathies to Ms Banks as she continues to receive treatment for her cancer diagnosis” she said.

If you’d like to donate to Ms Banks you can here.

Originally published as Mum-of-two Rashelle Banks had her appendix removed after a misdiagnosis, she then spent Christmas Day in hospital