A Scots mum has died just three weeks after being informed she had terminal cancer.
Mellissa Little, 35, sadly passed away on April 10 - less than a month after doctors discovered she had the disease.
Mellissa, from Dumfries, was previously given the all clear in 2020 after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 and undergoing an operation to remove the mass, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
A checkup mammogram eight months ago came back clear and the young mum felt well until she discovered another lump in her breast around four weeks ago.
When she was taken into hospital three weeks ago with pneumonia, medics discovered her cancer had returned and spread to her lungs.
She was given just weeks to live and asked to die at home with her family.
Heartbroken husband Robert, 51, told the Record the family had been left devastated by her sudden death and were burdened by the financial pressure of her cremation.
"They wanted her to stay in hospital," Robert said.
"She said 'I'm not staying in. I want to stay at home with my family'.
"The nurses and doctors told her it was incurable cancer. She was too ill to have chemo to prolong her life.
"She wanted her kids to be happy and to stay at home with me as a family."
Mellissa leaves behind her teenage son Kalvin, 13, stepsons Damien, 14, and Fraser, 23, and stepdaughter Zara, 22.
The grieving family are heartbroken by her sudden death after believing she had beaten cancer as they doubted the disease would ever return.
Within one day of being diagnosed Mellissa began to deteriorate and required a wheelchair as she was unable to walk.
Her family fondly remembered her as a brilliant mum who was loving and caring.
Robert said: "Mellissa was loving, caring and the most fantastic person I have ever met in my life.
"You couldn't meet a better woman if you had tried.
"Right up until her last words she said 'I love you darling and I'll always love our family. I'll always be here for you'.
"But she wasn't. She didn't make it. Any problems I had or my family had, she fixed them.
"I'll always be here waiting on her. Even though I know she is never coming back. I sleep in the living room because that's where she died. I still see her - I tell her I love her every night and I see her every morning."
Due to Mellissa's sudden passing, her family have no savings to pay for her funeral and are concerned they won't meet the deposit requirements.
As per Mellissa's wishes, her family plan on a quiet cremation service with just one car but this will cost over £2,000.
Devastated Robert has been informed if he doesn't make a £1,000 deposit then Mellissa will remain in the chapel of rest until he can afford it.
Donations to a fundraising page to help pay for this can be made by clicking here.
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