Unfortunately on 6th November 2018 after suffering from headaches and some dizziness Nicola was diagnosed with a brain tumour. A diagnosis that will haunt us all forever. Nicola being her usual self worried only about me her husband, her two young children and her family. After the doctors gave us the terrible news in Altnagelvin Hosptial, her first words were “My poor babies”. 😢

Nicola had two 7hour awake Craniotomy surgeries at the Royal Victoria hospital Belfast in late November 2018. Something she faced with great strength and bravery. We were in awe at how she recovered from each operation….after her second operation she sat up for curry only hours after leaving theatre. Something that puts a smile on my face even now. What a girl!❤️

In January 2019 we were given the biopsy results which diagnosed Nicola as having a Diffuse Astrocytoma WHO grade2…….Not the worst diagnosis and things seemed more positive. On meeting the oncology team were advised to treat the tumour as grade3 and have the relevant course’s of radiotherapy and chemotherapy which again Nicola faced with great courage. Six gruelling weeks of radiotherapy everyday were followed by chemotherapy. Nicolas final chemotherapy came on New Year’s Eve 2019, we had Lunch in Belfast followed by the essential visit to Zara!!!! Then onto the city Hospital for the final treatment! A great day we had been aiming towards for so long. 

2020 brought with it Covid-19 and although Nicola was no longer receiving treatment she was still in the very high risk group so as a family we isolated as best we could to protect Nicola as much as possible. We had 6 glorious weeks were we stayed at home and had most our essentials brought to us. A time I will treasure forever as we made so many great memories with the kids. 

Unfortunately in the summer of 2020 Nicola had some seizure activity and after an MRI scan we were informed that some new tumour growth had been discovered. Although only a very slight change we knew any change was not good and our oncology team advised a further round of chemotherapy. As ever Nicola Accepted the challenge willing to do anything to extend her time with our children as much as she could and still in the belief that we would beat this awful disease!

In the Spring of 2021 things began to progress at a faster pace and Nicola lost the power and function in her right hand followed by her right foot. This was a terrible shock to us all and for someone so independent and with so much get up and go it was very hard to accept. Nicola battled on and after several Physio sessions things seemed to improve…..she was never one for giving up!!💪

As we went through the summer unfortunately things began  the deteriorate at a much faster pace eventually leading to her admission to Belfast city hospital on 5th October 2021. Here the oncology consultant met with me and informed me that Nicola had only days to live a conversation that will haunt me forever! From this were moved back closer to home and to Foyle hospice where Nicola received the most amazing care and attention in her final days. We spent this last week by her side 24hrs a day making sure she knew she was never alone. On the 13th October 2021 at 9:10am Nicola passed away surrounded by her family leaving a huge void in all our lives which can never be filled. 

Brain cancer kills more children and young adults under 40 than any other cancer yet only receives 1% of funding from the governments Research budgets. This must change!! 

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