York mum in Cancer Research UK’s 10k Shine Night Walk

Nikki Gilmour, 55, was diagnosed with a brain tumour, the size of a lemon, in January 2016 when her son Luke was just 11-years-old.

She is taking part in Cancer Research UK’s 10k Shine Night Walk, which is returning to the city this weekend, at 7pm in Rowntree Park on Saturday (September 28).

Before her diagnosis, Nikki, who lives in central York and is a self-employed beautician, had noticed an odd sensation in her arm. Then a few days later she had soreness in her neck, followed by a pain in her jaw that left her feeling like she couldn't speak.

After being sent to hospital in an ambulance by her GP, she was admitted onto an acute stroke ward for tests, which showed there was swelling on her brain.

In an appointment with a neurosurgeon the following week they explained it was a brain tumour and the decision was made to remove it with surgery.

Nikki said: “My first thought was of course Luke and then was how am I going to cope. I had not long separated from Luke’s dad, Paul, and we were just getting set up in our new home, but now I was going to be on my own recovering from major surgery.

“But I needn’t have worried. From the moment the operation was booked in for that March, I had friends and family by my side for anything I needed.

"My family have been helping with finances and a lot of love. A friend brought me special pillows and gifts ready for the hospital and Paul moved in for a short time to help with my recovery. He was and still is amazing, always on hand ro help Luke and I and we remain great friends."

About 80 per cent of the tumour was removed from the area of the brain that controlled her left side. When Nikki woke from surgery, with her brother by her side, she found out she had had a stroke, and was unable to speak properly or move her left side.

The tumour was found to be cancerous and stage 3. But despite removing a large amount, there was 20 per cent remaining which doctors said they would do what they could to try keep stable, but she shouldn’t expect life to be normal again.

Nikki said: “Hearing those words was a turning point for me. I decided I wasn’t going to be a statistic. I had been so low and frightened, but I decided I needed to keep going and believe in myself, just like my everyone around me did.”

Nikki began six weeks of radiotherapy that April and once again friends stepped in, forming a rota to take her to daily appointments an hour away with many taking a day off work each week.

Nikki in ICU after surgery in 2016 (Image: Supplied) Her brother has been a constant support paying for a wig the day her hair started to fall out and buying the groceries every week and then a puppy came into her life, a gift from her mum, giving her more motivation to get moving and a comfort for Luke.

Following this, in June, Nikki had four months of chemotherapy and despite the sickness and side effects that came with it, she was determined for Luke not to see her in bed poorly, so she forced herself to get up and dressed every day to see him off to school.

Nikki said: “Luke, who is now 19 and at university, was and still is, phenomenal. He would help me tie my laces and fasten my clothes.

"He was my main motivationto get my life back on track and not let cancer stop.

"I always loved life and choose to look for the sunshine in a day.

"Whilst recovering I decided to start challenging myself. Since then, I’ve done lots of charity walks including a 100k Sahara Desert Walk and Shine for Cancer Research UK.

"You always feel empowered afterwards and supported along the way often sharing stories with fellow walkers. A comfort to know you're not alone.”
Nikki and Luke on holiday (Image: Supplied)