Short and Happy Life
news from www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk
I don't know what to say, it's a sad news yet it's a great one !
Battling Reece Fleming, 8, clung to life just long enough to 'marry' sweetheart
Monday, July 21, 2008, 07:30
AN eight-year-old leukaemia victim “married” his eight-year-old sweetheart the day before he died. The family of Reece Fleming believe he clung to life just long enough for his mock wedding to Elleanor Pursglove because he had always said he wanted to marry her. The emotional event took place at the family's home in Mackworth, where the youngsters even exchanged rings.
Reece's mother, Lorraine Fleming, 28, said: "They have been good friends for years. He had asked her a few times before and she decided to accept. It is something he had his heart set on.
It may seem like a strange thing to do but their friendship was very strong. It was emotional, you can't really describe in words what it was like. They were both very quiet but there was a lot of feeling in the room."
Elleanor's mother, Hannah, said: “She is missing him a lot now. It was very special, he just kept smiling at her. They were both just really pleased.”
Reece, a pupil at Brackensdale Junior School, was diagnosed with leukaemia in July 2004.
At first, Lorraine thought her four-year-old son had a virus and took him to a GP but his symptoms worsened.
She said: “One day he crawled past me on his hands and knees and said, 'Mum, my legs are really hurting'. I knew something was not right and took him to hospital.”
Reece underwent several cycles of chemotherapy and one cycle of radiotherapy but, in May, doctors at Nottingham's Queens Medical Centre said there was nothing more to do. They told Lorraine and Reece's stepfather, Mick Thompson, 28, that the youngster had three weeks to live. The couple decided to take Reece home where, with the help of a nurse, they cared for him until his death on July 5.
Lorraine said: “He was such a battler. He kept going for another five weeks. He did really well. Through- out his treatment he was really brave. He loved going to school and went when he was clearly not well enough. He had a high threshold of pain and for him to show it meant that he was suffering.”
In the weeks leading up to his death, Reece's family and friends organised a series of treats for the schoolboy.
“We wanted to do as much as we could for him,” said Lorraine.
The youngster, who loved pirates and cars, was treated to a ride in a Ferrari and a Porsche, organised by family friend Sandra Sheldon.
“Going in the Ferrari was his favourite,” said Lorraine.
A pirate-themed party was also organised for him and his school chums and he was invited to spend a day at Kingsway fire station, where he went for a ride on the engine.
“He loved that day,” said Lorraine. “They were great with him.”
Lorraine said the wedding, which took place on July 4, was special for Reece.
“After he got married and Elleanor left, he just lay on the bed. It was like that was what he had been waiting for.
“He looked so much better and at peace.”
Lorraine said she missed her son every day.
“I have lost my son but he was robbed of a lot more than that.
“We are upset and will always miss him but we have a sense of peace for him now.
“For four years he has been imprisoned by a hospital bed or his bed at home but he is not in pain any more.”
Mick said: “He made a big impact on a lot of people.
“He was a ladies' man and he had a great personality. If he was in the room everyone knew he was there.”
I don't know what to say, it's a sad news yet it's a great one !
Battling Reece Fleming, 8, clung to life just long enough to 'marry' sweetheart
Monday, July 21, 2008, 07:30
AN eight-year-old leukaemia victim “married” his eight-year-old sweetheart the day before he died. The family of Reece Fleming believe he clung to life just long enough for his mock wedding to Elleanor Pursglove because he had always said he wanted to marry her. The emotional event took place at the family's home in Mackworth, where the youngsters even exchanged rings.
Reece's mother, Lorraine Fleming, 28, said: "They have been good friends for years. He had asked her a few times before and she decided to accept. It is something he had his heart set on.
It may seem like a strange thing to do but their friendship was very strong. It was emotional, you can't really describe in words what it was like. They were both very quiet but there was a lot of feeling in the room."
Elleanor's mother, Hannah, said: “She is missing him a lot now. It was very special, he just kept smiling at her. They were both just really pleased.”
Reece, a pupil at Brackensdale Junior School, was diagnosed with leukaemia in July 2004.
At first, Lorraine thought her four-year-old son had a virus and took him to a GP but his symptoms worsened.
She said: “One day he crawled past me on his hands and knees and said, 'Mum, my legs are really hurting'. I knew something was not right and took him to hospital.”
Reece underwent several cycles of chemotherapy and one cycle of radiotherapy but, in May, doctors at Nottingham's Queens Medical Centre said there was nothing more to do. They told Lorraine and Reece's stepfather, Mick Thompson, 28, that the youngster had three weeks to live. The couple decided to take Reece home where, with the help of a nurse, they cared for him until his death on July 5.
Lorraine said: “He was such a battler. He kept going for another five weeks. He did really well. Through- out his treatment he was really brave. He loved going to school and went when he was clearly not well enough. He had a high threshold of pain and for him to show it meant that he was suffering.”
In the weeks leading up to his death, Reece's family and friends organised a series of treats for the schoolboy.
“We wanted to do as much as we could for him,” said Lorraine.
The youngster, who loved pirates and cars, was treated to a ride in a Ferrari and a Porsche, organised by family friend Sandra Sheldon.
“Going in the Ferrari was his favourite,” said Lorraine.
A pirate-themed party was also organised for him and his school chums and he was invited to spend a day at Kingsway fire station, where he went for a ride on the engine.
“He loved that day,” said Lorraine. “They were great with him.”
Lorraine said the wedding, which took place on July 4, was special for Reece.
“After he got married and Elleanor left, he just lay on the bed. It was like that was what he had been waiting for.
“He looked so much better and at peace.”
Lorraine said she missed her son every day.
“I have lost my son but he was robbed of a lot more than that.
“We are upset and will always miss him but we have a sense of peace for him now.
“For four years he has been imprisoned by a hospital bed or his bed at home but he is not in pain any more.”
Mick said: “He made a big impact on a lot of people.
“He was a ladies' man and he had a great personality. If he was in the room everyone knew he was there.”
Comments