Mum died of 'silent' cancer just two weeks after shock diagnosis

Yahoo

14-03-2025

A mum of one received a devastating diagnosis after going to the doctor complaining of a sudden headache. Nicolette Richardson went to see her doctor thinking her headache had been down to stress from her job as an osteopath.
The 41-year-old was advised to visit A&E if the pain persisted and was given painkillers. But when she went to Charing Cross Hospital later that day an MRI scan showed that she had a stage four glioblastoma brain tumour.
Nicolette, from London, underwent emergency surgery to remove as much of the brain tumour as possible. But the surgery left her with blindness and paralysis, the Mirror reports.
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Her condition continued to deteriorate, and doctors placed her into an an induced coma. Tragically on November 30 2020, just two weeks after her diagnosis, Nicolette died.
Austen Ham-Howes, Nicolette's partner, shared the shock of how quickly the tragedy unfolded.
He said: "One minute, we were viewing houses where we planned to build a future together - the next, Nicolette was taken ill. Suddenly, I was thrust into a world where the mother of my child was fighting for her life."
A stage four glioblastoma brain tumour is the deadliest type of brain cancer and Nicolette went down hill very fast. Just six days following her diagnosis, Nicolette had the emergency surgery, which tragically left her paralysed on her left side, blind in one eye, and with only partial vision in the other. .
Devastated by the abrupt upheaval of their lives, Austen said, "Nicolette had zero symptoms, yet our whole lives were turned upside down in just weeks and we were cheated of the chance to have a fair fight against this disease."
It was speed of the decline that made it especially difficult, he said, continuing: "I know it was wrong, but I felt so jealous of people who had time to come to terms with this devastating disease. For us, it felt as quick as ripping off a plaster."
Following her operation, doctors put Nicolette into a coma, and heartbreakingly, she never woke up again . Now, five years later, Austen along with his daughter Isabella, are dedicated to raising funds for Brain Tumour Research in loving memory of Nicolette.
Through Richmond Osteopaths, the clinic once run by Nicolette, Austen has been contributing £2 from every treatment during Brain Tumour Awareness Month [March 2025]. .
Describing their new approach to life, Austen reveals that he and Isabella, who is now eight and a spitting image of her mum, support each other in their journey of healing: "We try to live with positivity, and we try to honour her mum every single day."
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: "Nicolette's story is incredibly moving and we're grateful to Austen for sharing it with us.
"It's a stark reminder that brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
"It's only by working together that we can change this. We fully support Austen's fundraising and would like to thank him and the team at Richmond Osteopaths for their support."