Time tragically ran out for devoted mum
29-YEAR-OLD DIES WEEKS AFTER HER CANCER DIAGNOSIS
SHE touched the hearts of the nation when cancer-stricken mum Sammi Fox released an emotional video preparing to say goodbye to her five-year-old son as they lay on her hospice bed.
But now doting Sammi has closed her eyes for the very last time after saying her farewells to her family and little boy Bobby.
Heartbroken Sammi died at 2.30am yesterday surrounded by her parents Denise and Mel, nanna Margo, sister Kelle and brother Paddy at the Marie Curie Hospice in Elswick, Newcastle.
“She looked beautiful, so peaceful when she went,” said tearful Kelle, 32.
Sammi, 29, of North Shields, had been visited by Bobby – who has Down’s syndrome – and her twoyear-old niece Brooke on Sunday as she clung onto borrowed time.
“She saw Bobby and Brooke and sang songs to them. She was very tired and then she closed her eyes and went to sleep. She didn’t really wake up after that as she just carried on sleeping, but she went at 2.30am on Wednesday.
“It was so peaceful, she just looked so beautiful. I was the oldest but she was my big little sister, she was the one who told me what to do. I will be lost without her, she was my rock and I will miss everything about her.”
Struck down with cancer, Sammi was told the devastating news on just Monday, October 9, that there was nothing medics could do.
Her health deteriorated so quickly that she was taken to the hospice, where family and friends immediately prepared to say their emotional goodbyes.
And, as she put forward her funeral plan reflecting her vibrant personality, she was faced with making plans for Bobby to be cared for by his grandmother Denise, 51. Mum-of-four Kelle said: “Bobby will be well looked after. The plan is he will be cared for my our mum. We will talk about Sam all the time as Bobby grows up.
“We have been given books to help us help him through the transition. She loved him so much and we will make sure he is well looked after.” Selfless Sammi wanted to make sure Bobby’s birthday on December 19 and Christmas would be made special when she’s not there. And she asked for a JustGiving page, originally set up by friend Patricia Thomas to help pay for her funeral, to also help Bobby and other 13-year-old son Kai, who lives with his dad.
The crowd funding has now almost reached £11,000, smashing the £3,000 target.
Kelle said: “Sam couldn’t believe it. She was amazed at how kind people have been.”
Last week when Sammi arrived at the hospice, she wrote a heartfelt message from her bed to her friends and family on her Facebook page.
Part of it said: “As most of you are aware I’ve been quite unwell for sometime now. My diagnosis is bowel cancer which has spread to my ovaries. As of today I’ve been given literally DAYS to spend with my beautiful friends and family!
“I’m going to miss every single beautiful person I’ve met in my life - there’s some absolutely awesome people in my life and I love you truly!”
And in a heartbreaking video, Sammi was seen listening to Bobby’s favourite song Take Me Home by Jess Glynne as she prepared to say goodbye.
Sammi’s nightmare started about eight months ago when she had stomach problems. A scan discovered a tumour on her ovaries. On September 8 she got a phone call to tell her the shocking news. She was then offered a full hysterectomy but was in so much pain she was admitted to North Tyneside General Hospital on October 2 and then transferred to Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital before going to the hospice.
Kelle added: “It has all been very quick but she went very peacefully.
“Anyone who knows Sam knew how bright and bubbly she was. We will ask people at her funeral to wear bright colours. Anyone who knew her would know she never wore black; she wore luminous pink and bright oranges, all bright colours, and that is what we want for her.”
Sammi also leaves her other siblings, Dale and Taylor, and her dad’s wife Sally.
The fundraising page is www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sammisfuneral