Lung cancer changed everything

Now, her only child, Bronwyn Bos, is trying to raise funds to pay for medical bills as Nikki resigned from her company due to Covid-19 which resulted in no income since lockdown.

“My mother had to, unfortunately, cancel all her policies and medical aid as she could not afford them anymore,” Bronwyn explained.

Everything changed

Nikki was rushed to Linksfield Hospital on October 25 as she was in severe pain and was battling to breathe.
“She had a hernia operation in 2019 at the same hospital and we suspected it was issues relating to the same medical condition,” said Bronwyn

On arrival, medical personnel took her in for x-rays and tests.

The results of the scans and tests showed that Nikki’s lungs were almost full of fluid, and she was drowning in it.
They had to keep draining her lungs as it kept filling up with fluids.

On October 27, everything changed, not only for Nikki but also for her daughter when doctors informed them that Nikki has stage four lung cancer.

“This diagnosis came by surprise with no warning and an absolute shock to us. We had other plans for the future. My mother would have started a new job on October 29 which would have alleviated some of the financial strain but due to her condition this won’t be an option now,” said Bronwyn.

Nikki also went in for surgery where they took more tissue samples along with inserting a PleurX drainage catheter which continued draining her lungs to make it easier for her to breathe.
She needs permanent oxygen 24 hours a day.

Best friends for life

Bronwyn told the RECORD that she never needed to find a best friend because her mother one. From birth, it has always been just Nikki and Bronwyn.

“My mother is my everything, she is my confidant, my go-to person and I will do anything for her.”

Bronwyn described her mother as funny, a counsellor by nature, kind, loveable, compassionate and a sympathetic person.

“My mother is an exceptionally strong and Godly woman who always puts others’ needs before her own.” “She is like the fireplace in every home because where she goes she just draws people closer to her like a fireplace in a house,” said Brownyn.

Bronwyn also said Nikki is a very positive person.

“I would ask her how she is doing, and she would say that she is good, but not her lungs. She never complains even though she’s in a lot of pain.

A way forward

Doctors did not give the family any hope about the path forward.

“They told us that she might have six months left if we are lucky, but they cannot guarantee any time frame.”
They are now doing everything they can to make Nikki as comfortable as possible. She needs her daily medication until the time may come if she would need to go to hospice.

“We are so grateful for Eco-Med who said that they would sponsor us oxygen tanks for as long as my mother needed them.

“My mom is not scared of dying as she knows where she is going. The only thing she wants me to do is to live my life right so that we can meet again someday. In her words: run this race well so that we can meet again,” said Bronwyn with tears in her eyes.

How you can help

“The medical bills over keep flooding in, and I just don’t know where to turn. This is extremely difficult for us as a family as we are in no position to cover these costs on our own. We would really appreciate any financial assistance to help with all the medical bills.

“My wish is to help her, to give her a fighting chance and let the doctors ease her pain. She has so generously and selflessly given to so many people throughout her life,” Bronwyn concluded.

A BackaBuddy page has been opened by Bronwyn for Nikki and people who want to assist the family by making a donation can visit this link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/nikki-gebhardt