A fundraiser has been launched to give a terminally ill Burstwick grandmother “the goodbye she deserves” after a devastating cancer diagnosis.
Mum of four Nicky Vickers’ condition has rapidly deteriorated after being told in February she is suffering from stage four pancreatic cancer. The 57 year-old, from Burstwick, is now being looked after at home by her daughter, 33 year-old Vikki Adams, who has launched a go fund me page that has already attracted more than half of the £5,000 target which will go towards her funeral.
Teaching assistant Vikki, who has four children, said: “She said ‘I’m going to save up for my funeral so you’re not all left to do it’ but my Mum was actually on disability so she’d been saving up as much as she can, but just recently she took a turn for the worst and got really poorly. And we don’t have enough time to save up.”
Vikki, together with her brothers Dan, 38; Marc, 35; and Sam, 25, have turned to the community amid their heartbreak, with more than £2,500 already pledged. She said the response has been strong for Nicky, who is said to have lived for her five grandkids.
Former cleaner Nicky had gone to the doctors with back pain which she had initially dismissed as part of an existing issue that had forced her to stop work. The symptoms progressed into what doctors initially thought might have been gallstones before tests revealed stage four pancreatic cancer.
Vikki added: “The support we’ve had has been great. I’ve had so many of my own friends donate, and people from my mum’s childhood. People have shown so much kindness.
“My mum knew that people loved her but she didn’t realise how much they loved her. I set it up on Saturday when she was still conscious and she was getting so exited seeing it rise, and then since Sunday she’s been in an unconscious state so she’s not seen anything now – but she’d be so over the moon.”
Two of Vikki’s brothers – Marc and Sam – are back in Hull from Australia to be beside their mum’s bedside. Nicky is being cared for by Vikki at home, converting her living room into a bedroom, and having temporarily stopped working herself. Vikki’s grandma and grandad are visiting daily with Nicky’s best friend Caroline actually staying at the house.
Vikki explained: “We’re all just having a big sleepover every night in the living room to be with her.”