A DAD-OF-FOUR who lost his wife to cancer has shared his heartbreak after revealing his 16-year-old son also died from the disease.
David Winterbottom, 48 from Sheffield, lost Kirsty to melanoma at the age of 30.
3
3
The couple’s son Reece was diagnosed with a brain tumour just a few months after his mum’s death – and he tragically died earlier this year.
David said that just before my son breathed his last, I told him: “Your mother is waiting.”
It gives me comfort to know that they are back together and that she is holding him close.
“He was so brave, he fought every step of the way.”
David and Kirsty met in 1999 on a night out and were married in 2003 in Dominican Republic.
They had three children, Louis, Reece and Charlie.
Kirsty noticed a lump on her head in 2007 early.
David commented: “Kirsty, who was always glamorous and beautifully dressed, noticed the lump as she was going to do her hair.
The doctor said it wasn’t anything to worry about but it became a problem. She went back to the doctors to ask them to remove it.
“We thought it was completely harmless. But afterwards, tests showed she had malignant melanoma. We were absolutely shell-shocked.”
Kirsty seemed to be doing well, but the melanoma returned one year later.
Although she had to have part of her skull removed, the cancer spread. Further surgery was required to remove part her jugular veins and saliva glands.
David says: “Kirsty really went through hell. The surgery was huge, our boys were very young. But she was tough, and she battled through it all.”
For two years, Kirsty’s scans were clear. However, in 2010, her head began to swell and doctors were unable to offer further treatment.
Kirsty passed away in August 2011. Her children were Louis, 10, Reece seven and Charlie five.
David says: “Kirsty stated that she wanted me to meet another person during one of our last conversations. She said that I still had my entire life ahead of myself.
“Our boys were heartbroken. Reece, in particular, was close to his mom and it was extremely hard for them all.
‘BROKE MY HEART’
“I had to adapt very quickly, learning how to iron school uniforms and do the packed lunches. Janet and John were great supports.
“Louis read a poem at her funeral; he stood up in front of hundreds of people. I was so proud of him, aged 10.”
Reece started vomiting in January, just five months after the death of his mother.
David says, “He began vomiting on Sunday evenings. It was likely anxiety. He didn’t want school after losing his mom.
“Kirsty had always walked him to school and so the school run had become very traumatic after her death.”
David took Reece to the hospital when the vomiting continued. A scan revealed that he had a craniopharyngioma, a brain tumor wrapped around his pituitary.
Reece needed a rare procedure that only two UK surgeons could perform.
David, a manager at a car body shop, said that he was “shell-shocked” by the diagnosis and that he just believed the worst because of Kirsty’s death.
“But the doctors were very positive, and Reece made a good recovery.”
David met Michelle, a new partner and later had a son named Finley.
‘YOUR MUM IS WAITING’
David says: “Reece was just like a normal kid. Although his growth was affected by the tumour, he refused to let it stop him.
“We talked a lot about Kirsty and went twice a week to her grave.”
Reece underwent annual scans but his family believed he was free from cancer.
However, a routine scan performed in May 2016 showed that the tumour was still present. Reece flew from Canada to Florida to undergo proton beam therapy, which proved to be a great success.
However, in July 2013, the tumour returned and was surgically removed in just eleven hours. Reece was just one of 41 worldwide.
His condition worsened and he began a drug test.
In January, he was admitted to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in Sheffield where he and his family spent precious time together.
David and his entire family were there to support him as he passed away in May.
David said: “The hospice had a wonderful effect on Reece as well as my other children.
Reece lost his vision in his final days, but he was courageous. He was that kind of child; he didn’t want me to worry. It broke my heart.
Reece was upset that he couldn’t see me on my April birthday. He said to Reece, “I’ve had enough.”
“He was terrified of the darkness.
“Just before he took his final breath, I said to him: ‘Your mum is waiting.’ I hope that eased his passing.”
Reece was cremated in the same spot as his mother.
There were over 1,000 mourners in the streets, many of them former students.
3
We pay for your stories!
Are you a Central Recorder reporter?