Heroic nurse who was told cancer symptoms were caused by long covid dies aged 35

12 October 2023 , 09:30

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Tributes have been paid to intensive care nurse Brogan Williams who died of lung cancer on Monday (Image: Brogan Williams/BPM Media)

A mum who claimed she was misdiagnosed with 'Covid' lung has died of cancer at 35.

Tributes have been paid to intensive care nurse Brogan Williams who died of lung cancer on Monday. The intensive care nurse was in remission for breast cancer when she found a lump in her neck and began struggling to speak properly and was short of breath.

In July 2021, doctors told Brogan she had Covid lung and advised her to go home and rest, Birmingham Live reported. But just 10 days later, she was told her cancer had returned. The health worker, who lived in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, needed palliative care and was given a life expectancy of two weeks.

Brogan Williams (left) pictured with her daughter Freya and husband Gareth (Brogan Williams/BPM Media)

Brave Brogan said she put her "positive pants on" upon hearing the news and was determined to "keep on fighting". But on Tuesday, news of her tragic death was announced on her Instagram page.

The post told her 11,000 followers: "For many of you, you may have noticed Brogan's absence on her social media accounts. This is the news that none of us wanted and weren't ready to deliver. On Monday October 9, our beautiful Brogan drifted into a peaceful sleep.

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The health worker, who lived in Pendeford, Wolverhampton, needed palliative care and was given a life expectancy of two weeks (Brogan Williams/BPM Media)

"There's not a lot of words we have left to say but we know Brogan's journey has impacted many people's lives through her continuous strength and determination to embrace life and 'roll with the punches'. As a lasting memory, we will leave you with some words of her own: 'Never stop anything getting in your way, reach for the stars and smile whilst doing it'."

Following her devastating diagnosis, Brogan was keen to raise awareness for the type of cancer she had, which was classed as metastatic breast cancer, despite being in her lungs. Pictured, Brogan and Freya (Brogan Williams/BPM Media)

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here winner Giovanna Fletcher said the news had "hit hard". The author and podcaster had been joined by Brogan on a 100km Hadrian's Wall Country trek in aid of CoppaFeel earlier this year.

She wrote: "Walking with Brogan in June was extremely special. She had me cackling with her humour and nodding along with her wise words about life and the people we let into our hearts.

Tributes poured in for Brogan and her family, including from I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here winner Giovanna Fletcher (Brogan Williams/BPM Media)

"Sending so much love to Gareth and Freya - her love for you was palpable. Brogan - your wit, cheekiness and heart was a huge part of what brought your team together in June. Thinking of you today and wishing we could be back walking along that never ending beach to Holy island."

Former Great British Bake Off contestant Candice Brown added: "I am heartbroken darling girl. The strength you showed me was like nothing I’d seen before. Thank you for sharing your warmth, grace and bravery. Fly high beautiful Brogan."

Brogan credited her family, pictured, including husband Gareth and mum Lorraine, for giving her the strength to keep going (Brogan Williams/BPM Media)

Following her devastating diagnosis, Brogan was keen to raise awareness for the type of cancer she had, which was classed as metastatic breast cancer, despite being in her lungs. She also began writing letters to her daughter Freya, to read at pivotal moments in her life.

She previously said: “I’m writing letters for her which people may see as a sign of giving up but it’s me taking control. I always want her to know exactly what I’d say to her in certain situations like her first period or the first time she meets a boy and gets those butterflies."

Brogan credited her family - including husband Gareth and mum Lorraine - for giving her the strength to keep going. She said: "I am so lucky, I feel like I’ve won the lottery with the family I’ve got."

Laura Sharman