Stem cell mum loses her fight

LINDSEY TYRRELL

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TRIBUTES have been paid to a brave mum who has died after "smiling through adversity" as she raised awareness of stem cell donation while battling leukaemia.

Lindsey Tyrrell (41) encouraged Oldhamers to sign up to the stem cell donor register earlier this year as she awaited her own donor match. The mum-of-two was originally diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2014 and underwent months of treatment and chemotherapy, however, after two years of steady improvement, Lindsey was told in November last year that she had relapsed and would need a new form of treatment, including a chemotherapy and a stem cell donation.

After a campaign in the Chronicle, Lindsey, originally from Shaw, was told a match had been found for her with the mum undergoing the potentially life-extending transplant in March. The family then faced a long wait to the critical 100-day milestone, which marks the date when the greatest risk for critical side effects has passed and when the stem cells have engrafted and begun making new blood cells.

Sadly, Lindsey made it to day 99, passing away peacefully on July 3.

Lindsey's husband of 22 years, Paul, said: "Everything was going well after the transplant.

"But Lindsey started to get a headache and we returned to the hospital for tests.

"At first they couldn't pinpoint what it was and thought it could have been an effect of the transplant or even the leukaemia returning.

"Unfortunately they discovered that the transplant had left her with a weak immune system and that she was unable to fight a virus in her body.

"It began attacking her brain and her body shut down. There was nothing the doctors could do.

"It was frustrating that she had made it to day 99 and was just a day away from the milestone but we have come to terms with it."

The family, including the couple's two children Robyn (19) and Adam (14) are now preparing to commemorate Lindsey's life with a celebration.

Paying tribute to the brave mum, husband Paul added: "Lindsey fought an amazing battle and she smiled throughout.

"She fought with bravery and dignity and laughed through the adversity and setbacks she experienced.

"She never once complained about it and kept her positive outlook.

"We have always been very open about it and knew that the treatment may only give her another five to 10 years, but she was a fighter and was determined to give it everything.

"We will all miss her every day but we are so proud of her."

After originally meeting at school, Paul and Lindsey reunited in a club and soon became a couple. As Paul's job travelling in the Army left the couple apart for long stretches of time, Lindsey proposed and they married in 1995.

They then spent 15 years touring Germany together before returning to the UK with their children.

Paul said: "She lived so many lives while we were together and we have some wonderful memories as a couple and as a family.

"She lived life to the max and was a fantastic mother to our children.

"She was my soul mate and my drinking buddy and I was proud to be her husband."

He added that the family have received dozens of messages of support and condolences over social media.

"It has been humbling to see how loved she was and how many lives she has touched," he said.

"We want her memorial to be a celebration of her life.

"It will be colourful and people will be able to raise a glass to her."

A crowdfunding page to help pay for costs toward's Lindsey's memorial celebration has already raised almost £3,000.

Details of the celebration event of Lindsey's life have yet to be confirmed.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lindsey-tyrrell.