For Nikki Seymour, 46, from Warwickshire, life had already tested her in ways most people could never imagine. After years of battling breast cancer and undergoing a double mastectomy, Nikki endured two decades of longing to become a mother. Against the odds, she achieved her dream with the help of a remarkable surrogate, Laquiesha, who carried her son, Kit. But just two years into his life, Nikki now faces a heartbreaking new challenge: Kit has been diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer.
The news came as a devastating blow. “They told me quite clearly he has a 50-50 chance of beating this,” Nikki said. “There is a 50 per cent chance he might die and a 50 per cent chance he might live, but there is also a 40 per cent chance the chemotherapy could kill him.”
Kit, now two years old, had been showing subtle signs of illness from as early as six months. Nikki noticed his stomach was unusually hard, he suffered from severe constipation, and he had lost interest in walking and eating. He was lethargic, frequently tired, and bruised easily. Despite these concerning symptoms, she said she was repeatedly dismissed by healthcare providers. “A&E departments, paediatricians, GPs — I was turned away more than 30 times,” she recalled. “I was labelled overprotective, sent home with laxatives and enemas, and nobody took my concerns seriously.”
Nikki refused to wait for the inevitable. After weeks of mounting fear, she demanded an X-ray. Only then did doctors begin to investigate the cause of Kit’s pain. “I woke up the next day and insisted on an X-ray. I heard them talking about a mass. I had a breakdown and demanded an ultrasound immediately,” she said. The scan confirmed her worst fears: Kit had neuroblastoma, and it had already spread to his bones, knees, stomach, spine, kidney, and the top of his skull.
Neuroblastoma is a cancer that affects young children, usually under five, often originating in nerve cells of the abdomen. Stage four indicates it has metastasized, making treatment challenging and survival uncertain. Kit was immediately admitted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where he began chemotherapy to halt the disease’s rapid progression.
For Nikki, the experience has been a cruel echo of her own battle with cancer. “When I had cancer, nothing kept me going, nothing at all, until I met Laquiesha. And now he — Kit — keeps me going. And now I have Rue as well, and she keeps me going. That’s it. Nothing else, just them.”
The family’s daily life has been upended. Nikki has taken extended leave from work to stay by her son’s side, but the cost of travel and accommodation near the hospital is significant. Friends and supporters have launched a GoFundMe campaign, raising nearly £20,000 to help ease the burden and allow the family to focus on Kit’s treatment and recovery.
Nikki hopes her story serves as both a warning and a source of guidance for other parents. “If something doesn’t feel right with your child, push for answers,” she said. “You know your child better than anyone else. Don’t let anyone dismiss your instincts. Demand scans, ask questions, and keep advocating — it could save your child’s life.”
Despite the fear, Nikki finds strength in her children and the extraordinary resilience of Kit. Each day, she watches him face chemotherapy and hospital routines with courage far beyond his two years. His spirit, his small victories in feeding, walking, and playing, remind her that hope persists even in the darkest times.
While the path ahead remains uncertain, the family is determined to cherish every moment together. Nikki and her husband, Allen Coats, are committed to providing love, support, and comfort as Kit fights for his life. Through this ordeal, they have discovered a network of care, kindness, and generosity from friends, strangers, and the medical staff who have embraced Kit’s battle with dedication and compassion.
Nikki’s journey is one of love, perseverance, and courage. After years of her own fight for life, she now faces the unimaginable challenge of standing beside her child in his. And through it all, she remains unbroken, determined to give Kit the best chance possible, holding on to hope that the boy who once defied the odds into life will now defy them again.
To support Kit and his family, donations can be made via their GoFundMe page, helping cover hospital-related expenses and ensuring that Nikki can stay by her son’s side during his ongoing treatment.