A mum-of-two lost her battle to cancer after feeling pains in the side of her body.
Nicola Beck was diagnosed with cancer three years ago and was initially given months to live when she was 42.
Prior to her diagnosis, Nicola was complaining of stomach pains which doctors initially put down to a problem in her pelvis, before later discovering the pain was caused by a tumour in her bile duct.
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Nicola’s daughter, Laura Brickell, said from the start her mum's diagnosis was a "rollercoaster".
Laura, 24, told the ECHO: “At first we were told she had two years left, at the next appointment they then told us it was months.
“She was referred to Clatterbridge where they started a course of chemotherapy and then had to stop treatment because her body just couldn’t handle it."
Overall, medical professionals attempted three different types of chemotherapy, but as Nicola's body was rejecting it, her treatment was stopped completely.
Nicola's health continued to deteriorate and on one of her most recent hospital admissions doctors discovered she had three areas of blood clots around her lungs.
Laura, from Wirral, said: “She was given the option of either having blood thinners to break down the blood clots, but this was found not to be an option due to complications with the cancer, it could have caused her to bleed out.
“The only option left was to just go home and live her life and wait for a clot to possibly break off with the risk of a heart attack.”
The 24-year-old, who lives in Manchester after graduating from university, said the family spent Nicola's final months "making great memories" and trying "not to put anything off".
On Tuesday, February 1, Nicola was admitted to hospital after complaining once again of pains in her side, but despite her suffering continued to "put others first" which Laura said was typical of her mum's character.
Laura said: “She was the most caring woman, always putting others before herself. When she was admitted to hospital just before she passed, she was taking her oxygen mask off, which she had been informed she would not survive without, to help another patient put her slippers on as she saw she was struggling.”
At 9am on Tuesday, February 7 Nicola died in Arrowe Park Hospital while surrounded by her close family.
Laura added: “We even managed to bring her puppy, Levi, to see her. We were all talking about funny memories and looking at old pictures when she passed, it was as if she was waiting for us all to be laughing and smiling when she went.
“It was very peaceful and she had a smile on her face, which was lovely.”
Describing her mum as "mad as a box of frogs", Laura said while her mum's loss has left devastation, the family were able to find peace through those final moments shared with Nicola.
Laura added: "Nothing can prepare you for losing your mum, wife, daughter, sister. She fought so hard and for so long and her strength was an inspiration to us all.
"She was loved by everyone she knew, I don’t think anyone could or has ever said a bad word about her. She was my best friend, we were so close and I think if we could have, we would have done everything together.
"I will remember her whenever I’m laughing, whenever there’s loud music playing, whenever the sun is shining. "
Ahead of Nicola’s funeral on February 24, the family has said they will not be accepting flowers and instead said Nicola wished to have any money donated to Claire House.
Setting up a fundraiser page, the family set a target of £100 for the local charity, but within three days already accumulated over £800 in memory of Nicola.
To donate to Claire House visit here.
