A young mum with "a heart of gold" died suddenly after a routine hospital appointment.
David Stiller spoke of his heartbreak after losing his 'soul mate' Sara, 34, who sadly died after suffering from a sudden stroke.
The tragedy happened after David dropped Sara off at hospital for kidney dialysis treatment on Monday, September 27, when he received a phone call telling him to come back.
READ MORE: Arson suspect arrested as fire rips through former Smokie Mo's in Ofiveone building
She remained in intensive care until Thursday when medics made the decision to switch off the ventilator keeping her alive, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Sara and David lived together in Hindley, Wigan, with their three-year-old daughter Ellie.
Paying tribute to his wife, David, 35, said: "She had a heart of gold and would help anyone.
"She was always positive and an absolute fighter. She's been through so much.
"Sara was an amazing woman and absolutely idolised our daughter."
David said Sara had struggled with her health for a number of years, but "never let her problems stop her smiling."
In 2010, she was diagnosed with kidney failure relating to type one diabetes. After being put on a waiting list, she managed to secure a double kidney and pancreas transplant in 2013.
Later that year, she met David online and the pair got talking before eventually meeting up in person.
David said: "It was love at first sight.
"We were always happy and never argued. She was my soul mate.
"I always thought I would never meet anyone. I was badly bullied growing up and made some wrong decisions, then I met her and everything changed."
Within six months, David had moved up to Wigan from Wiltshire and the couple married in 2015.
Three years later, their 'miracle baby' Ellie was born following IVF treatment. However, during the pregnancy, Sara developed a kidney infection, which meant her daughter had to be delivered eight weeks earlier.
Sara's kidney deteriorated from then on and by November of last year, she had become so ill that she had to have it removed.
Desperate to help his wife, David underwent tests to see if he could become a kidney donor. Tragically, he found out he had been successful just hours after Sara's stroke.
After returning home from dropping his wife off on Monday, David video called her before returning to the hospital to deliver her blood pressure tablets.
Soon after, he noticed he had a missed call from his wife.
David said: "I told her I was just eating something and would call her back in five minutes.
"She said 'it's ok, don't worry' and sent a love heart. I sent one back."
About 20 minutes later, David received a phone call telling him he needed to get to the hospital.
Scans showed Sara had suffered a bleed on the brain and doctors told David there was nothing they could do for his wife.
David said: "It was horrible, but I knew they were making the right decision.
"They said it was a ticking time bomb waiting to happen."
In the days since his wife's death, David says he has been on 'autopilot'.
He is grieving for Sara, but also trying to remain strong for Ellie.
He also fears he may now have to sell their family home as he cannot afford it on a single wage.
He said: "It's a nightmare, I don't want to lose our house.
"All the memories we've built up and everything we worked for to make it ours.
"I want to bring my daughter up in the house she was born in.
"It's a comfort that I've still got her. My wife lives on through Ellie."
A crowdfunding page has been set up to support Sara's family following her death.
David wants to give his wife the send off she deserves, and says she had always wanted a horse-drawn carriage at her funeral.
He also wants to encourage more people to sign up to be organ donors.
He said: "Because of the transplant Sara had in 2013, she got to meet me and we got to have our daughter.
"I had eight wonderful years with her, I just wish I could have had more."
To donate, visit the crowdfunding page here.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here.
