A mom who thought she had “child mind” – however was informed she had herpes – died from cancer simply six months later.
Anneka Johnstone, 33, died in November 2019 after being identified with a glioblastoma, an aggressive sort of most cancers that happens within the mind or spinal wire.
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On the time of her demise, she and her husband Alan, 38, had a 13-month-old child, Sienna – who’s now left with no mom.
Sienna, now aged 4, was simply six months previous when Anneka began having dizzy spells in June 2019.
Alan says Anneka put this all the way down to “child mind” – till she fell whereas holding the child.
A short while later, the brand new mum additionally began dragging her toes.
Anneka was taken to hospital close to their house within the Scottish city of Dumfries in June 2019.
The couple was informed she had the herpes simplex virus, and he or she was given antibiotics.
Per week later, their world fell aside – when Anneka was identified with stage 4 glioblastoma.
She died simply six months later.
“It hit us all like a ton of bricks,” mentioned Alan, a medical technician.
“Anneka wished to see her daughter develop up.
“After being informed the information, we drove again to inform the household.
“The primary particular person Anneka noticed when she walked by means of the door was Sienna – she collapsed.
“All she wished was to be a mum, be there for Sienna’s 18th and watch her get married.”
Alan and Anneka met when she was 17 and he was 18, whereas he was on go away from the navy.
He mentioned it was love at first sight.
The couple was married in 2015 and Sienna was born on October 13, 2018.
In June 2019, Alan mentioned Anneka started affected by spells of dizziness.
The pair each put the symptom all the way down to “child mind” till Anneka fell whereas holding her toddler daughter.
After initially being informed she had herpes simplex, an MRI scan and a mind biopsy revealed the devastating information that she in actual fact had a glioblastoma – a malignant mind tumor.
“It was sickening figuring out the particular person she was and that there was nothing I may do,” Alan mentioned.
“I may see the worry in her eyes, she was terrified – like anybody could be at 33 years previous.
“Anneka was coping with it properly, however the household was not.
“We knew there was nothing we may do.”
The previous dietician’s well being deteriorated rapidly.
She spent a lot of her previous few months in hospital.
“We had a rota with the household so somebody may spend 24 hours together with her,” Alan mentioned.
“You could possibly spend 24 hours together with her however solely get 30 seconds of the actual Anneka.”
Anneka died on November 18, 2019, six months after being identified.
“It has been a tricky street for me, going from a close-knit household to being single with a 13-month-old,” Alan mentioned.
“Sienna gave me a very totally different focus, she is my primary.
“I give her as a lot love as I can provide her – she is the explanation I stand up within the morning.”
Wanting to offer again, Alan has raised $A95,800 for the UK’s Mind Tumor Group – by strolling 345km throughout Scotland in per week.
He says not sufficient cash is invested into mind tumor charities.
As for his beloved spouse, he hopes to see her mirrored in his little lady.
“I’ll always remember the stamp she placed on the world,” Alan mentioned.
“And I hope there’s a great deal of Annie in Sienna as she grows.”
– with Ben Barry
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