Mum’s birthday wish is another year of memories
GRASPING onto life, cancer mum Stacy Pentland’s birthday wish is to survive another year to make more memories with her children.
She turned 36 on Thursday, July 8, after being diagnosed in April with terminal cancer.
And the dedicated mum-of-four was told if her chemotherapy doesn’t work, she has around six months to live but could survive another 36 months if it does.
“My birthday wish is to get to 37,” said Stacey, of Walker, Newcastle, as she chocked back tears.
“My kids come first and I want to be here as long as possible for them.”
Stacey was fit and healthy and only hours before her diagnosis did she suffer any pain.
And she is recording her emotional journey on her Facebook page to make sure her family and friends can see her staying strong, while hoping to help others going through similar turmoil as herself.
“I couldn’t get through all my presents, there were so many. I was like a kid in a candy shop, I got spoilt rotten by everyone,” said Stacey.
“I got to spend my 36th birthday with the people I love more than anything in the world. I got so many gifts I couldn’t possibly name them all, but they were all absolutely beautiful.
“I also got a super special birthday gift off my amazing friend Jeanette Thornton that will stay with my babies for life.
“Jeanette bought me a star, my very own star, and named it ‘Braveheart.’ So now my children can always look up into the sky and say ‘look that’s my mam’s star.’ They will own that star one day.
“It’s the most beautiful thoughtful gift ever, I’m so lucky to have so much love around me. I’m so thankful for every person I have in my life.
“I’m thankful for each and every day I get to smile and laugh, I’m even thankful for the days I wake up and spend crying. Life’s so precious, people are so precious, family and friends are love and happiness.”
Stacey had been mowing the lawn when she got a pain in her back. She went to bed but got up during the early hours in agony.
After calling 101, an ambulance took her to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary where she received the most devastating news, before being transferred to the Freeman Hospital.
“I have cancer in my rectum, stomach, liver, lungs, lymph nodes, just all over,” added Stacey.
“My pain is being controlled but I’m still alive. I have four beautiful children and an amazing family and as you can imagine we are devastated.”
Stacey was diagnosed on April 26 and was told her cancer was terminal. She has since been told the cancer in her lungs and liver is spreading and is aggressive. And she is about to start her fourth round of chemotherapy as she battles to prolong her life.
She is determined to stay strong for her children; Chloe, 19, Sophie, 17, Geordie, 13 and 11-year-old AJ (Anthony Junior). And she is getting support from her family and her children’s dad Anthony.
“For my birthday I went with my family and friends for a meal. And my niece Charlene Murray bought me my first wig,” added Stacey.
“I am terrified to lose my hair. Each time I get chemotherapy it gets thinner and thinner. But on July 25 I am shaving it all off to raise money for the hospital that is helping me – because they deserve it.
“Staff at the Freeman Hospital are keeping me alive and I want to give something back.
“When I look in the mirror now I see cancer, it doesn’t look like me anymore. I have changed so much. But I am wanting to be as honest as I can to help others.” Stacey is so thankful to the NHS staff who are helping her and has set up a crowdfunding page to raise money for them.
Anyone wanting to donate can visit Stacey’s Gofundme page at https://bit. ly/2dooemv
FOR more than three months, Andy Spahiu has been delivering meals from his restaurant to feed the hungry of Newcastle – and his own family.
Unable to open Don Vito’s, he has turned the Pilgrim Street Italian into a takeaway to pay the bills with Andy – who is usually in charge – delivering the food himself.
However, his shift on June 28 left him out of pocket after a parking warden slapped not one but TWO tickets on his car within hours of each other.
The vehicle was parked on double yellow lines directly outside the restaurant.
Andy claims on both occasions he had just popped back inside to pick up the next delivery.
Newcastle City Council encouraged Andy to appeal the fines.
However, for a man whose livelihood is based on food, they have left a very bitter taste in his mouth.
The 39-year-old said: “On one hand, the council say they are trying to help businesses like us – then they do this.”
The council say parking restrictions, previously eased during the height of lockdown, are now gradually returning to normal.
They are there, the authority states, to control the amount of traffic entering the city.
A spokesperson added fines are only issued as a “last resort.”
Yet given most bars and restaurants were unable to reopen until July 4, it left Andy wondering why wardens had been patrolling the streets so late on a Sunday.
He added: “I got the first ticket at 4.15pm and the second at 6.05pm.
“The town was dead, it was late on Sunday and nothing was really open, so why are the wardens even out at that time? It feels like they are only there to give sneaky tickets.
“It means I now have to find £140 from
has
since somewhere to pay for this, and I only did about three or four deliveries during the entire shift, so I lost money that day for working.”
When the warden issued the second ticket, Andy claims he tried to explain his situation and why the car was there.
He questioned: “She just told me I was getting a second ticket as I had moved the car – but how else could I make my delivery?”
However it is understood the council is willing to consider Andy’s circumstances retrospectively, with receipted evidence Andy was making deliveries willing to be considered as part of any appeal.
A council spokesman added: “Parking restrictions are in place so we can control the traffic coming into the city.
“They are clearly marked and enforcement is only taken as a last resort.
“At the outset of the pandemic parking enforcement across the city was suspended.
“However, as lockdown measures have eased and traffic levels have increased, this has resumed.
“While free parking for NHS workers continues, where restrictions are in place it is important other motorists comply and park appropriately as otherwise enforcement action may be taken.
“Any driver who wishes to dispute a Penalty Charge Notice may appeal.
“We understand in this particular instance the vehicle’s owner is aware of the process so we would encourage them to use it in order that any mitigating circumstances can be fully considered.”
For Andy, the long-standing restaurant enjoyed return to a normality of sorts after reopening on what was dubbed ‘Super Saturday’.
However, the parking wrangle has left him feeling disappointed with a council he hoped would do more to help independent firms during the period.
He said: “I understand the wardens have a job to do but they are allowed to be compassionate and listen to people’s circumstances.”
I understand the wardens have a job to do but they are allowed to be compassionate and listen to people’s circumstances.
ANDY SPAHIU