25 February 2023 , 22:43
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A "fit and healthy" dad-of-four who went to doctors after suffering stomach pain has been told he only has days to live.
Jonathan Nicols, 45, began suffering from stomach aches, fatigue and weight loss out of the blue last summer.
More than a year on from the problems he found out the tragic news he had leukaemia and his treatment wasn't working, Manchester Evening News reports.
His wife Kimberley explained how she and her husband, who was fit, healthy and a keen runner, got the news from doctors that he only had weeks to live.
Jonathan ended up getting his bloods and other tests done after Kimberley urged her husband to go to the doctors after his symptoms continued for a while.
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The 47-year-old explained: “He went in there really positive thinking everything was fine to be fine. It was going to be nothing.
Jonathan, from Leeds, was "fit and healthy" when didn't have long left to live (Kimberley Nichols)“He was told a consultant was coming over from Manchester. That gave him concern – that someone was coming over on a Saturday afternoon. By this time, I was ringing and upset. I wanted to know what was going on.”
While at hospital, Jonathan accidentally text Kimberley his medical notes. That’s how she found out Jonathan had chronic myeloid leukaemia.
Jonathan, who is from Leeds but now lives in Formby, Merseyside, immediately started treatment, which seemed to be going well as he he was putting on weight and started "looking healthier".
But the treatment stopped working, leading doctors to try every method possible in an attempt to fight the cancer.
Kimberley added: “They tried all lines, but nothing worked.
“They gave him harsh chemotherapy to give him the best chance.
However, no treatment worked and Jonathan was told at the end of January he only had week to live.
Kimberley Nicols, 47, was left heartbroken when doctors gave the family the devastating news (Kimberley Nichols)
The school trust chief executive hasn't taken a day off since he was diagnosed (Kimberley Nichols)“I knew, I kind of just knew,” his heartbroken wife explained.
“I just had that gut feeling. I was in Jonathan’s room and he always had his blinds open. I could see them all meeting and talking.
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“They all came in together and I knew it wasn’t good news. The consultant bent down on his knees, held his hands and said his condolences.”
With nothing more medics could do, Jonathan returned home, where he received palliative care.
Kimberley said: “They palliative team rang me and I asked them, ‘Are we still talking weeks?’.
“They said it was days and I didn’t tell a soul. I didn’t tell anyone that information.”
Now five weeks on, Jonathan is still surprising doctors who have been left “mesmerised” by his inspiring positivity.
The academy trust chief executive hasn't take a day off work since his diagnosis.
He and Kimberley met while they were on a weekend away in Dublin nearly two decades ago.
“The amount of messages I’ve had saying what an impact he’s had on their lives and how he’s motivated them to be a better person,” Kimberley added.
“When he was having his transplant, he had his laptop open and was doing Zoom calls while attached to chemo. It’s not like he’s saying, ‘Look at me,’ it’s about his love of his job. It’s about doing better for education and every child.”
Kimberley and her children Joshua, 28, Joel, 22, Oliver, 13 and Tabatha, eight, now appreciate every moment they have with Jonathan while he is with them at home.
The dad-of-four began experiencing weight loss and stomach problems in the summer of 2021 (Kimberley Nichols)She added: “It’s been horrific. If someone were to tell us at the time that it would be days, you’d crave these weeks. But they’ve been really difficult.
“We’ll cherish them. We had a fish and chip night and sat in the bedroom together and he managed to do letters for everyone, he’s written birthday cards.
“Life has been cruel and every time I feel like we’ve got over a day, the next day gets harder. His one wish was that he always wanted to be at home and not a hospice.
“He has two young children and I don’t want their memories of their dad to be that way. I wouldn’t wish this part on anyone to go through.”
Jonathan’s son Joshua is now set to run the Manchester Marathon to raise money for the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, which helped care for Jonathan during his time at the Clatterbridge Cancer centre.