The partner of a mum who died from a terminal condition has paid a heartbreaking tribute after he was unable to say goodbye to her because of lockdown measures.
Nicola Gleave, from Wythenshawe, was just 49-years-old when she passed away in hospital on April 9 from a condition called Haemochromatosis.
Her partner, Ian Robottom, was not allowed to be at her bedside during her final hours, despite having attended every hospital appointment with her during their 10-year relationship.
In a moving tribute to the mum-of-two, Ian said he had been left devastated after he was unable to hold her hand or kiss her goodnight, before she tragically died.
Nicola was diagnosed with Haemochromatosis around five years-ago and was told she had around five or six years to live.
Her condition took several years to diagnose.
Haemochromatosis is a hereditary condition where iron levels in the body slowly build up over many years - if left untreated, it can cause damage to parts of the body such as the liver, joints, pancreas and heart.
Her condition began to deteriorate last year, but Ian believes not being able to leave the house or see her beloved grandchildren, was the final straw for her.
Paying tribute to her, Ian said: “She was fun loving and always had a smile on her face. She put everyone before herself even when she was really ill.
"She could be stubborn at times but she had a heart of gold."
Ian and Nicola were due to go on holiday this week to her favourite place - Gran Canaria, but due to the lockdown measures imposed they had been unable to leave the house.
"The condition meant she had developed type two diabetes and so it was important for her to exercise regularly," Ian said.
"We had a district nurse come out to check on her but all her hospital appointments were cancelled and it wasn't the same.
"I think lockdown was the final straw for Nicola. With being stuck inside and not being able to see her grandchildren, her body just shut down and gave up."
Over the years, Nicola had to attend regular hospital appointments, and Ian attended every single one with her.
But when her condition rapidly deteriorated on April 9, Ian was told he would not be able to go to hospital with her due to coronavirus restrictions.
"To see her being taken away in an ambulance knowing I couldn't go with her was heartbreaking," Ian said.
"I wasn't allowed anywhere near her. I didn't even get the chance to speak to her and check that she was okay and that she was comfortable.
"The next phone call I got was from the hospital to say she had passed away.
"I couldn't be there to hold her hand or kiss her goodnight - that's the worst part.
“She must have been so scared on her own."
Ian said it had taken until yesterday before her devastated family could go and see Nicola in the mortuary.
Her family have now created a JustGiving page to raise awareness of Nicola's condition, which is particularly common in countries of a Celtic background such as Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
"Nicola went in a matter of weeks fro being really active to dying - I need more people to be aware of this illness," Ian said.
"I know it is hard at the moment and everyone is going through pain but I am 54 and have a lot of my life left ahead without her."
