Katie S’ Story

My mum, Jennifer, died 12 years at 45 when I was 16 and my sister was 11. She hadn't been feeling well over the summer holidays and the doctors thought it was a stomach ulcer and dismissed her concerns numerous times. 

Eventually after she deteriorated she was sent for further tests and it was discovered on the 7th of September 2012 she had cancer. 

Whilst we were waiting for further tests to find out the prognosis and treatment plans, my sister and I were trying to comprehend what this meant. Planning things to do with mum. 

On the 26th September 2012, the results came back and it was stage 4, very aggressive malignant melanoma and it had spread everywhere  - there was nothing they could do. We held our mum’s hand and planned to do lovely things in whatever time we had left. But sadly it wasn't to be and she died the next morning. 

Heartbroken doesn't even begin to describe life since she left.  Life is so incredibly hard without your mum by your side. But incredible friends have helped my sister and I to make the most of our life. 

I'm thankful I have my sister and I couldn't have carried on without her. She's my best friend and helps me to honour our mum in everything we do.