Brian also wanted to raise awareness about bowel cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think her biggest message would just be don\u2019t ignore any symptoms or any weird feelings of pain \u2026 go and get it checked out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brian said Nicky initially had \u201creally bad stomach cramps\u201d.<\/p>\n
They went to Rotorua Hospital where Nicky was told she was constipated and sent home.<\/p>\n
Nicky returned the next day in \u201chorrendous pain\u201d.<\/p>\n
She had an operation after doctors thought she had a twisted bowel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe surgeon came and told us afterwards that they\u2019d found a tumour.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo weeks before that, she ran a half-marathon and ran it under two hours.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said her stomach cramps had \u201ccome out of nowhere\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t really do any early detection \u2026 if you\u2019re not getting any symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rotorua GP Dr Nicky Kenny and her husband Brian Kenny. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
Brian said the surgeon told them \u201cnothing\u201d could stop the cancer growing.<\/p>\n
Nicky had surgery to remove the tumour followed by six months of chemotherapy, which initially \u201cworked well\u201d.<\/p>\n
In 2023, her cancer returned and she was told her life expectancy was two to three years, Brian said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made the most of life, really. We made as many family memories as we could.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brian said she had more chemotherapy, which gave \u201csome good results\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt shrunk slightly, but it was just so aggressive, so you\u2019d get one good result and then a few months later, you\u2019d get another scan and find out it wasn\u2019t working.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brian said Nicky was \u201cvery stoic and just quietly fought away\u201d.<\/p>\n
Brian, from Rotorua, said he met Nicky, from England, while she was in New Zealand on her OE. They married in 2009.<\/p>\n
They settled in Rotorua, where she worked at Te Ngae Medical Centre, the former Rotovegas Health and, more recently, doing high school clinics.<\/p>\n
\u201cSkiing was probably our biggest thing that we loved doing as a family,\u201d Brian said.<\/p>\n
The family went to Canada in December 2024, where they enjoyed a white Christmas at a ski-in\/ski-out resort.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we obviously knew Nic wasn\u2019t going to live a long life \u2026 we decided to meet some of her family halfway and do a ski trip, which was incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rotorua GP Dr Nicky Kenny was an avid runner. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
Brian said she enjoyed running, mountain biking, and being in the Redwoods.<\/p>\n
Emma said they also enjoyed playing \u201cfamily tennis matches\u201d, camping and doing \u201chalfway trips\u201d to meet Nicky\u2019s family, including in Indonesia and Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Their last trip was to Fiji last year.<\/p>\n
Brian said between 350 to 400 people attended Nicky\u2019s funeral on November 20 under the shade sails in the Redwoods Forest.<\/p>\n
He said Emma \u201cvery bravely\u201d spoke about her mother\u2019s passion for the environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t sure if I wanted to stand up, but then I didn\u2019t want to regret it if I didn\u2019t,\u201d Emma said.<\/p>\n
Brian said Lynmore Primary School students performed a haka as the hearse drove away, with Robbie surprising the family by leading it.<\/p>\n
Rotorua GP Dr Nicky Kenny with her children Emma and Robbie. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
Robbie said his mother greatly cared about the environment, and Emma said she had \u201creusable everything\u201d including baking paper, muffin cases, and coffee cups.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe wouldn\u2019t let herself buy a coffee if she forgot her cup,\u201d Brian said.<\/p>\n
He, Emma and Robbie were going paddling at the Whanganui River on Saturday after some friends gifted the trip to them as a Christmas present. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur local community around here has been incredible, to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bowel Cancer New Zealand chief executive Peter Huskinson said Nicky\u2019s story was an important reminder that bowel cancer increasingly affected younger people and it did not always present with \u201cclear or early warning signs\u201d.<\/p>\n
For many, greater awareness of symptoms and access to screening could be lifesaving by detecting bowel cancer \u201cat its earliest, most treatable stage\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor others, including Dr Kenny, earlier detection may not be possible \u2013 underscoring the importance of continued research, improved access to emerging therapies for advanced bowel cancer, and the development of better diagnostic tools for younger people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Huskinson said screening was one of the most effective ways to save lives, particularly for people whose cancers developed slowly and without symptoms.<\/p>\n
When caught early, it was \u201cmore than 90% curable\u201d.<\/p>\n
Thousands of New Zealanders would soon take part in the organisation\u2019s Move Your Butt Challenge, where participants walked 100km in February to honour the 100 people who died from bowel cancer every month and raise funds.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a simple way for people to show support, raise awareness, and help create a future where fewer families have to face what Nicky\u2019s has.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bowel cancer symptoms: <\/p>\n
Bleeding from the bottom or in your pooA persistent change in bowel habitsOngoing, periodic, or severe abdominal painUnexplained weight loss or fatigueA lump or swelling in the abdomen<\/p>\n
Source: Bowel Cancer NZ<\/p>\n