Dying mother given months to live is saved by ex-husband's new wife

Nicola Hitchen was told she had months to live - until Claire Hitchen starting fundraising for a pioneering new treatment





A woman who was given four months to live by doctors, has been told her Stage Four cervical cancer has almost disappeared, after her ex-husband's new wife led a fundraising campaign to pay for specialist treatment.

Nicola Hitchen was told in March that there was nothing more that could be done for her.

But rather than give up, the 41-year-old from Great Boughton in Cheshire booked five 10-day sessions at a pioneering chemotherapy centre in Turkey.

Since undergoing her first session in July, the cancer has been in retreat.

The main tumour in her abdomen has almost gone and others in her liver and on her spine have shrunk dramatically. A secondary tumour in her lungs has also completely gone.

However, the first five sessions cost £80,000, meaning Nicola was likely to run out of money before she could complete the sessions.

So her ex-husband Andy Hitchen and his new wife Claire began a massive fundraising campaign to raise the further £50,000 needed.

"Joe and Jake are my stepsons. Niki is my husband’s ex-wife and amazing Mum to Joe and Jake," said Claire, who is leading the campaign. "Niki continues to put them first throughout all of her treatment. Joe and Jake are also amazing big brothers to our three year old daughter and she adores them as they do her.

"Money is running out and Niki may not be able to continue with her life-saving treatment."

She added: "This is not an option – the boys need their mum and she deserves the chance to watch them grow into men and have their own families."

Nicola, who works as an administrator at a local primary school, said she had been overwhelmed by the response.

"I’m completely overwhelmed – everyone especially Claire has been amazing," she said. "I didn’t think people liked me that much."


http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dying-mother-saved-by-ex-husband-new-wife-cervical-cancer-months-to-live-nicola-claire-hitchen-a8037821.html



What a truly wonderful story of extended families and love. I hope she makes a full recovery and what a lucky man having been married to two, lovely women.

More dust again here...

I read this yesterday, what a wonderful story.

Thing is though, she has it in a few places and it will come back more aggressively. If it buys her a few months then it's worth it. The only cure for cancer is to cut it out, chemo is just a drug that keeps it back for a while sadly.

Stories like this prove that people are good.....we hear so much of the bad in people (that sells papers) but people like this are all around us I believe.

Its a truly wonderful story, people do survive cancer, and God willing this beautiful woman, helped by her ex and the angel he is now married to, will be one of them.

Sadly Syl the only cure is an operation, all chemo does is put it in remission. Sad fact.

magica wrote:Sadly Syl the only cure is an operation, all chemo does is put it in remission. Sad fact.

Chemo gives people some time, I suppose, but most are really sick whilst having it.

Cass wrote:More dust again here...

watery eyes and sniffles, my hayfever seems to be playing up, even in November,,,,

eddie wrote:

magica wrote:Sadly Syl the only cure is an operation, all chemo does is put it in remission. Sad fact.

Chemo gives people some time, I suppose, but most are really sick whilst having it.

Yes sadly Eds it just buys a bit more time. It's very hard on the body too.

It works if the cancer is cut out then chemo used to mop up any rogue cells, but on its own, sadly not a cure.

Very nice story - all the best to her and her family .

I have my views but not allowed to mention them .