When bubbly South Australian mum-of-two Nikki Francis isn’t whipping up coffees and hot chips at her local kiosk, she’s chasing her boys along the beach with their two dogs in tow.
The 25-year-old single mum, from Minlaton on South Australia‘s Yorke Peninsula, has always lived an active life juggling work, motherhood and the great outdoors.
But a few months ago, Nikki’s world came to a crashing halt when what she thought were post-baby ‘period problems’ turned out to be stage 2 cervical cancer.
‘I was going through a lot of hard stuff with my menstrual cycles and I knew something wasn’t right,’ she told Daily Mail.
‘I just thought “this isn’t normal for anyone, let alone someone so young”,’ Nikki recalled.
Before having her children, Henry, six, and Ollie, four, her cycles were regular. But after her second pregnancy, they became ‘really irregular, heavy, and painful’.
Her pain grew so severe she was often bedridden.Â
‘The week before my period, and then the two weeks after, were bad, so I’d have one week where I wasn’t in pain,’ she said.
‘It would be so agonising I’d be screaming in a ball.’
Nikki Francis (pictured with her sons Henry and Ollie) from Minlaton, South Australia, has always lived an active life juggling work, motherhood and the great outdoors
But a few months ago, Nikki’s world came to a crashing halt when what she thought were post-baby period problems turned out to be stage 2 cervical cancer. Pictured: with her boss and ‘best friend’ Alex
Despite this, Nikki kept working and living her life as best as she could.
‘I’d never take a day off just for being in pain. I needed the money. I had to live. It’s just me,’ she explained.
It was only after a pap smear came back unclear in late August that doctors performed a biopsy and made the devastating discovery.
‘The nurse said to me that something’s not right. She said to me, “I’m not trying to scare you, but your cervix should not look like this”.’
A few days later, over the phone, came the words that would change her life: stage 2 cervical cancer.
‘I broke down. I didn’t even understand what was going on. I just went numb. I couldn’t believe it.
‘I was like, “what do you mean? I’m 25”.’
Thankfully, the cancer had not spread beyond her cervix, and doctors are confident they can remove it surgically.
Nikki will undergo a five-to-six hour operation at Royal Adelaide Hospital on November 14 to remove part of her cervix, followed by six rounds of chemotherapy and radiation to ensure all remaining cancer cells are gone.
After her second pregnancy, Nikki’s periods became so painful she was often bedridden, but she pushed through for the sake of her boys
Her surgeon is determined to preserve as much of her cervix as possible to keep her fertility intact – something that means everything to Nikki.
‘Being a young girl, I’m petrified to lose my hair,’ she added.
‘But as vain as it sounds, I’d rather lose my hair than have to have a hysterectomy and lose everything and not have that ability further down the line, to have more kids.’
There’s also the challenge of supporting her two young boys while she undergoes treatment.
‘I’ve had plenty of family friends that have offered to help me and stay with me for a week or two after the surgery to help with the boys, which has been lovely.’
Her boss and close friend Alex, who runs the Port Vincent Kiosk, has also been a rock at this time and has vowed to support Nikki through the tough months ahead.
It was only after a pap smear came back unclear in late August that doctors performed a biopsy and made the devastating discovery. Pictured: Nikki with close friends
Thankfully, the cancer had not spread beyond her cervix, and doctors are confident they can remove it surgically. She will undergo a five-to-six hour operation at Royal Adelaide Hospital on November 14 to remove part of her cervix, followed by six rounds of chemotherapy
Nikki’s dream is simply to get through her treatment and return to her active life with Henry and Ollie, camping, riding and feeling healthy again
For Nikki, the uncertainty is daunting and she admits she’s ‘scared’ going into chemotherapy not knowing how her body will react.
However, she’s determined to keep working if she can – not just for financial reasons, but for her mental health too.
‘I love being out and about and I really love working. We’re like a close-knit family there,’ she said.
Above all, she wants to raise awareness among other young women.Â
‘If something’s not right, take it further, investigate it, go and get [checked],’ she urged.
‘I know a pap smear sounds so daunting and scary, trust me. But do it, because it could save your life.’
As she looks ahead, Nikki’s dreams are simple but powerful, and that’s to get back to the life she loves with Henry and Ollie.
‘It’s coming up to summer – we usually spend most of the weekends out camping, and motorbike riding, and horse riding, and I just can’t wait to be back, myself, healthy, feeling good.
‘And most importantly to be with my boys, raise them and grow up with them.’