In a story that has got us all weeping, a dying mum has been saved by a most unlikely person - her ex-husband's new wife.
Here's what happened:
A mother of two, Nicola Hitchen, was told four months ago by doctors that she had Stage Four cervical cancer. All hope seemed to be lost, until her live was saved by her ex-husband's new wife.
Niki, as she is fondly known as to family, was admitted to a hospital in March after reportedly suffering abdominal pains. She was diagnosed with a pelvic abscess and sepsis shortly after but tests later revealed that the 41-year old had a cancerous tumour in her cervix.
Doctors said it was terminal.
But Hitchen did not give up there. She went to a clinic in Turkey to undergo chemotherapy (though the name of this clinic is still unknown). This seemingly miracle treatment cost her almost $105,000 (S$143,000).
She underwent five 10-day sessions and since her first session, Hitchen told The Independent that the aggressive tumour had almost disappeared while the tumours that had spread to her liver and spine dramatically shrunk.
To further maintain treatment in Turkey to keep the cancer at bay, she would need another $66,000 (S$90,000). But Hitchen said she was likely to run out of money to pay for the remaining sessions.
Dying mum saved by her ex-husband's new wife: A story of compassion and understanding
A campaign was set up on JustGiving by Niki's ex-husband's new wife, Clare Hitchen, who shared that Niki had told her that they had big "decisions" to make since she may not be able to conitnue with her life-saving treatment.
"Joe and Jake are my stepsons. Niki is my husband’s ex-wife and amazing Mum to Joe and Jake," Clare said. "Money is running out and Niki may not be able to continue with her life-saving treatment. But 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."
So she organised the massive fundraising effort to further raise the $66,000 needed for Niki to complete her treatment.
Niki, who is as an elementary school administrator, said she was overwhelmed by Clare's kindness.
"I’m completely overwhelmed – everyone especially Clare has been amazing," she said.
The fundraising page Clare Hitchen created has so far managed to raise nearly $30,000 (S$40,100).
We think Clare's gesture will certainly restore your faith in humanity as it did ours!
Source: Yahoo News