Credit: Focus Features<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
David said that just before my son breathed his last, I told him: “Your mother is waiting.”<\/p>\n
It gives me comfort to know that they are back together and that she is holding him close.<\/p>\n
“He was so brave, he fought every step of the way.”<\/p>\n
David and Kirsty met in 1999 on a night out and were married in 2003 in Dominican Republic. <\/p>\n
They had three children, Louis, Reece and Charlie.<\/p>\n
Kirsty noticed a lump on her head in 2007 early.<\/p>\n
David commented: “Kirsty, who was always glamorous and beautifully dressed, noticed the lump as she was going to do her hair. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“We thought it was completely harmless. But afterwards, tests showed she had malignant melanoma. We were absolutely shell-shocked.”<\/p>\n
Kirsty seemed to be doing well, but the melanoma returned one year later. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
For two years, Kirsty’s scans were clear. However, in 2010, her head began to swell and doctors were unable to offer further treatment.<\/p>\n
Kirsty passed away in August 2011. Her children were Louis, 10, Reece seven and Charlie five.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“Our boys were heartbroken. Reece, in particular, was close to his mom and it was extremely hard for them all. <\/p>\n
‘BROKE MY HEART’<\/h2>\n “I had to adapt very quickly, learning how to iron school uniforms and do the packed lunches. Janet and John were great supports.<\/p>\n
“Louis read a poem at her funeral; he stood up in front of hundreds of people. I was so proud of him, aged 10.”<\/p>\n
Reece started vomiting in January, just five months after the death of his mother.<\/p>\n
David says, “He began vomiting on Sunday evenings. It was likely anxiety. He didn’t want school after losing his mom.<\/p>\n
“Kirsty had always walked him to school and so the school run had become very traumatic after her death.”<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Reece needed a rare procedure that only two UK surgeons could perform.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
“But the doctors were very positive, and Reece made a good recovery.”<\/p>\n
David met Michelle, a new partner and later had a son named Finley.<\/p>\n
‘YOUR MUM IS WAITING’<\/h2>\n David says: “Reece was just like a normal kid. Although his growth was affected by the tumour, he refused to let it stop him. <\/p>\n
“We talked a lot about Kirsty and went twice a week to her grave.”<\/p>\n
Reece underwent annual scans but his family believed he was free from cancer.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
However, in July 2013, the tumour returned and was surgically removed in just eleven hours. Reece was just one of 41 worldwide.<\/p>\n
His condition worsened and he began a drug test.<\/p>\n
In January, he was admitted to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice<\/a> in Sheffield where he and his family spent precious time together.<\/p>\nDavid and his entire family were there to support him as he passed away in May.<\/p>\n
David said: “The hospice had a wonderful effect on Reece as well as my other children.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Reece was upset that he couldn\u2019t see me on my April birthday.\u00a0 He said to Reece, “I’ve had enough.”<\/p>\n
“He was terrified of the darkness.<\/p>\n
“Just before he took his final breath, I said to him: ‘Your mum is waiting.’ I hope that eased his passing.”<\/p>\n
Reece was cremated in the same spot as his mother. <\/p>\n
There were over 1,000 mourners in the streets, many of them former students.<\/p>\n\n