A TEENAGER left unable to work because of a large tumour on her foot says she feels let down by the health service.

Blackburn-born Terri Aspin said she had visited her GP and A&E multiple times and been referred to specialists at five different hospitals, but the tumour, which leaves her in daily agony, has never been properly treated.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Terri was left so ashamed of the growth she hid it from her friends and even her boyfriend.

The 18-year-old said she had her left little toe amputated when she was six-year-old and believes the remaining piece of bone went on to grow into a tumour on the bottom of her foot.

She now plans to raise the money to pay for private surgery to give her ‘some hope of a normal life’.

Terri, moved to Fleetwood last month with her Darwen boyfriend Sam Taylor, 22, but despite being in a relationship with him for two years, she kept her tumour hidden.

She only revealed her suffering three months ago and even then did not let him see it until just last week.

The former Witton High School student said: “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.

“I was told years ago that it was a tumour, but apparently it doesn’t have a name. I had a biopsy done, in the hope that university scientists would be able to tell us what it was, but the results came back inconclusive.

“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.

“I have only been able to wear slippers recently as the pain has become unbearable. Previously I could wear trainers because they are a bit stretchier.

“I have been with my boyfriend for two years but I only told him about it three months ago as I was so ashamed. Before then, 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, noticed when Terri was a baby that her little toe was longer than normal.

She said doctors told her it was nothing to worry about, but when she was six Terri’s foot would no longer fit into her shoes and she had the toe amputated.

Maureen said a check-up soon afterwards picked up a small piece of bone that remained in the foot after the toe was removed.

Terri, a former Meadowhead Junior School pupil, said she was recently let go from her waitressing job at Man Lee Chinese Restaurant, Darwen because her employers could see how much she was suffering.

Terri, formerly of Livesey Branch Road, said: “Whenever my foot swells up or gets particularly painful, all I have been given is crutches and painkillers. I constantly have to walk on the side of my foot, so my heel has now pushed to one side like a massive ball.

“The tumour is spreading all along the bottom of my foot. It’s still growing and looks like warts all over my foot. When I was little, they were hoping after my toe amputation everything would be fine, but that just wasn’t the case.

“My last employer let me go as I was on my feet all the time waitressing and they could see I was in pain. I was really upset.

“The job centre helped me to find a new job as an apprentice where I’ll be sitting down and answering the phone so I’m hoping to start that in August.

“I just can’t wait to have some hope of a normal life. I am constantly in pain and feel like giving up.”

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.”

To donate, visit: www.gofundme.com/2emygqzm.