Megan’s Message

Megan – Nikki’s 12 year old cousin had to write a story about a message –  she choose to tell Nikki’s story and the importance of the HPV Vaccine.

Nikki’s life story!

Nikki was a very happy and lively child.  She enjoyed spending time with her family and especially having fun with her sister Shelly.

Nikki always had a smile on her face and immediately brought joy to any occasion with her beautiful smile.

 At the age of 23 Nikki got married to Peter Fagg on the 29th of September 2001. It was a great day for family and friends.  Not that I remember much because that was my 1st birthday, but by looking at the pictures and stories I have heard, I had fun.

 From a young age Nikki had always wanted to have children, she adored them and they adored her. Both Nikki and Pete continued to enjoy married life and were looking forward to a wonderful future.

But at the age of 28 Nikki was diagnosed with cervical cancer.  Nikki was then put through courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.  Thankfully this shrunk the cancer and it soon disappeared, but unfortunately this treatment left her unable to have children.

After a long while the all clear was given and Nikki had to have 6 monthly check-ups to ensure the cancer had not returned.

  Getting back to their normal life together, Nikki and Pete started to think ahead and began on a massive journey to rebuild a 100 year old windmill that is family heir loom.

Along with this they were planning to look into adoption.

Some years later Nikki went for her 6 month check-up in September 2010 and everything was fine. 5 months later Nikki started getting pains behind her left eye and had severe headaches. Nikki went to the hospital where she had a scan that revealed her cancer had returned. It never occurred to anyone that Nikki would be struck AGAIN with cancer!

During this time Nikki and Pete arranged for the rebuilding of the 100 year old windmill to continue.  This huge restoration project was filmed for a TV programme Restoration Man. Unfortunately Nikki did not get to see the finished result as she lost her battle against cancer during the building of the windmill. Though Nikki was not there when the family gathered to see the windmill, it still was amazing and we have a lovely memory of her.

Getting an HPV vaccine    

What is a HPV vaccine?

HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus vaccine.  There are a number of different types of this virus and different types can cause different diseases including cervical cancer.

HPV vaccination works to help prevent some of these diseases.  It can help to prevent against 2 types of HPV, which cause over 70% of cervical cancers in Europe.

The vaccine is administered in 3 separate injections over a period of six months.  It is very important that all three doses of the vaccine are received.

The vaccines are recommended for 11 and 12 year old girls and for females from 13 through to 26 who have not received the vaccines when they were younger.

Cancer comes in many forms and there are some ways to help reduce the risk of getting these diseases.

One way that is known to help with the prevention of cancer is a healthy lifestyle and diet. This can be done by maintaining a healthy weight throughout your life, being physically active for 30 minutes a day and control your diet by choosing mostly plant foods, limit red meat and avoid processed meat.

Lots of people smoke and die from Smoking. Unfortunately some people find smoking addictive this may mean they will have a shorter life or get cancer.

When you go outside in the sun always wear sun cream. Even if your friends don’t wear sun cream because it isn’t cool then they have more chance of getting skin cancer. Whatever skin colour you are it does not matter you should still wear sun cream.

Ways you can raise money for cancer charities

Some of the things that I am doing is; growing my hair and cutting over 12inches off and getting people to sponsor me. Once my hair is cut off I will send it off to be made into a wig. I am going to do the race for life, for the second time and do it in pink shorts and crop top with pictures of Nikki on me. I will do some fund raising as well which will go to Nikki’s Trust.  This is a charity which Pete has set up in Nikki’s memory, the money that is raised will help older girls who have not had the HPV injection.

My cousin died of cervical cancer. When she was a school girl there was nothing available to reduce her risk of getting this cancer. Now there is an immunisation programme that is available to all school girls from the age of 12 years. It is extremely important that this programme is advertised and young girls are encouraged to have the injections. Although, you may be scared of having injections it is important to get the message across to you that these injections could save your life…just think 3 small injections may have saved Nikki life, had they been available to her!

I hope you have been inspired by my true story?

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Comments

10 Responses to “Megan’s Message”
  1. Andrew Brine says:

    Megan this is amazing, really well done! I’m so proud of you!

  2. Samantha says:

    It was sad how Nikki could’nt see it finished! She sounds really funny and nice a person who brightned the room when they stepped in it.

  3. Juanita Percival says:

    Megan, you have written an amazing story which is made all the more sad because it is true.
    Well done, girls do need to be encouraged to have the HPV injections. My daughter has had them so I hope when the time comes you will too.
    Juanita 🙂

  4. Leonie Ranson says:

    What a truly moving tale and recounted so well. You have inspired me to sponsor you when you do the race for life. Well done!
    Leonie

  5. Emily says:

    An amazing story megan , Nikii sounded like a wounderful person. Im sure the windmill lokes amazing to.

  6. Julie Rohlfs says:

    Megan,
    Well done. It was beautifully written. I’m so proud of you!!! I know Nikki is proud of you too!!!
    Your cousin in America!

  7. jordan says:

    this is a verey go story and a bit sad

  8. Ellie xx says:

    wow amazing story megz. I would have loved to have met nikki. she sounds like a truly wonderful person. and the windmill will probably look beautiful and a spectacular monument. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  9. Ellie xx says:

    i am sure we all extremely proud of Megan 😀 xxxx

  10. Sara says:

    Megan, you have written a beautiful message about your cousin Nikki. Thankyou for encouraging girls to get the HPV injection.

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