Leyland mum fundraising for best friend with terminal brain cancer and just months to live

Mum-of-two Hettie Galway suspected her doctor might have misdiagnosed her with migraines when the pain persisted.
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But the 27-year-old never expected her headaches and spotted vision to be symptoms of brain cancer that would ultimately give her just three to six months left to live.

Now her best friend Nikki Grundy, of Leyland, is on a fund-raising mission to help Hettie's family cope financially and enjoy some final special moments together.

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Mum-of-one Nikki, also 27, said: "I'm just devastated. It's very horrible and I can't stop crying. I dropped my daughter off at nursery today in tears."

Nikki Grundy (left) is raising money for her best friend Hettie Galway, who has terminal brain cancer.Nikki Grundy (left) is raising money for her best friend Hettie Galway, who has terminal brain cancer.
Nikki Grundy (left) is raising money for her best friend Hettie Galway, who has terminal brain cancer.

Hettie began developing daily head pain in 2017 and struggled to stand up - but doctors put it down to migraines and said they couldn't do much about them.

After months of agony, she knew something was seriously wrong and decided to consult a different GP, who urgently sent her for a scan to see if she had MS. When the tests came back showing she had a brain tumour, Hettie's world was turned upside down.

The Liverpudlian mum was forced to bring her wedding forward a year before undergoing an operation, as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

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"Doctors said if the tumour grows back it could be twice as bad and aggressive," said Nikki.

Hettie with her partner David, who she married earlier this year after being given just three to six months left to live.Hettie with her partner David, who she married earlier this year after being given just three to six months left to live.
Hettie with her partner David, who she married earlier this year after being given just three to six months left to live.

And while it didn't grow back, a scan in August revealed that a new tumour had developed.

"There's nothing else they can do other than make her comfortable," said Nikki.

"I've done that much crying, I'm just numb now.

"She was devastated and her family are in bits.

"When she first told me [about having terminal cancer], she burst out in nervous laughter and said she doesn't know how to react. She was just so overwhelmed.

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"She shouldn't have to leave her babies. They're not going to understand where she's gone. I asked my little girl what she would do if mummy went away forever. She said she'd be very sad."

While undergoing chemotherapy, Hettie struggled to access financial support beyond child tax credit, as the Government had declared her "fit to work".

"I can't understand how someone with a brain tumour is fit for work. They affect everything, and your life is turned upside down," said Nikki.

"But the Government said she was able to work because she could stand up.

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"It makes me so angry, and I've gone through so many emotions. Some people do bad things and she doesn't bother anyone; she just wants a nice, quiet life.

"I don't understand how life works."

That's why Nikki is so determined to raise money for Hettie's family, as well as helping to cover the funeral costs.

"It's to help her partner David can keep a roof over their babies' heads," she said.

"I'd also love to send them to Disneyland Paris for a holiday of a lifetime. Hettie and her kids have never been abroad so if she outlives the pandemic then hopefully she can get there."

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The community has thrown its weight behind Nikki's mission, leaving her "gobsmacked" when her fundraising page hit £5,000 in just under two days. Local businesses have also rallied round to treat Hettie, offering to do her hair and donate dresses for a professional family photo shoot, while entertainers have promised to host a show for her children.

"The support means everything. Even people who are terminally ill are willing to help Hettie. It says it all. It blows my mind and it's making her cope better," said Nikki.

"Knowing Hettie is so loved is helping me to cope, too. I don't want her to worry about money. She's my best mate and it's an honour to help her as much as I can. You can't put a price on her life so I'm just trying to raise as much as possible."

The mum has been relying on donations as she is struggling to host fund-raising events due to the coronavirus restrictions around households mixing. For the same reason, she adds, it's also been difficult to treat Hettie and make the most of their time left together.

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"It's a scary world. Now she's in the vulnerable category and can't go anywhere. It's really upsetting and stressful. It's just difficult to do anything for her.

"She wanted to come to my hen party and wedding but they've been postponed until next year. The thought of her not being there makes me sad as we've been friends since we were 11.

"I lost my mum when I was 14 and she was there for me. We've been through a lot together and were even pregnant at the same time."

That's why, she added: "I'm so determined to think of ways I can make her dreams come true in a pandemic."

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Nikki also hopes to raise awareness of brain tumours and encourage people to trust their gut and go back to their doctors if they are unsatisfied with a diagnosis.

She said: "Hettie is a private person. I'm the loud one; she's shy and quiet. I told her there might be someone out there suffering like her and she's not going to die in vain. I want the world to know her story and how beautiful a person she is because there's no justice in what's happened to her.

"She's been blown away because I think she thought she was alone but she's not. Lots of people have come forward to share their story and say how important it is to go to the doctors if you're suffering badly because you could have something serious.

"I think doctors are really stressed at the moment and some people are scared to go see them because of Covid-19 but if you are struggling then push them for a scan."

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Nikki is so vocal about the issue because she knows all too well the terrible consequences of a diagnosis that comes too late.

She added: "It doesn't feel real. I feel like I'm going to wake up and discover I've been having the worst dream.

"Hettie shouldn't be leaving this world at 27. I just hope there's some kind of miracle."