A mum with terminal cancer has rejected chemotherapy to spend what little time she has left with her children.
Nicola Codona was diagnosed with the illness last month after suffering sickness and rapid weight loss.
The 36-year-old was shattered when doctors broke the news that she had bowel cancer, and it had spread to her liver, the Daily Record reports.
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Weeks later they told her the secondary cancer is too advanced to stop and she has weeks to live.
The Motherwell mum explained that she first visited her GP last October. In January she was urged to go back when her niece noticed her eyes yellowing.
She as immediately referred to University Hospital Wishaw, where blood tests and scan of Nichola's abdomen were carried out.
Nicola said: "I started having sickness and rapid weight loss and told my GP. A few months later my niece noticed that I had jaundice in my eyes and she asked me to go to the doctor, so I made an appointment just to put her mind at ease.
"I was seen out-of-hours and sent straight to Wishaw General, where they carried out scans. That's when they found out that it was bowel cancer that had also travelled to my liver.
"I was distraught by the news."
Just three weeks later they delivered the devastating blow that her cancer is terminal.
She added: "The doctors said I could undergo chemotherapy, but there was a risk I could get worse and have less good days.
"I made the decision not to have the treatment and go home to my children instead."
Now Nichola is determined to enjoy what time she has left with husband Robert and her two children, Robert, 15, and Katie-Leigh, 11.
She said: "The whole family is completely shocked and distraught - cancer doesn't choose its victim, it just strikes.
"But I'm just getting out and spending time with the kids. That's all I'm focusing on now."
Nichola has now urged others to be aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer - which include blood in your stools, a sudden change in bowel habits , rapid weight loss, and extreme tiredness.
"Don't mess about when it comes to your health," she added. "Be extra vigilant and get a second opinion if you're not happy.
"Don't wait about for life. Go out there and live it because you don't know when it could get pulled away from you."
A GoFundMe has also been set up by Nichola's best friend Erin Moore to help support the family, which has well surpassed its £250 goal and has currently raised more than £3,000.
Erin said: "The page has blown up but it doesn't surprise me - it's a testament to the person Nikki is. She would give her last to anyone."
Visit here to donate.
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