Christmas IVF hope for Wellington widow (From Somerset County Gazette)

Christmas IVF hope for Wellington widow

7:00am Wednesday 23rd December 2009

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A YOUNG Wellington woman will finally take her first steps towards starting a family with her husband this Christmas – 16 months after his death.

Lisa Wilkinson was left heartbroken when husband Gareth, 27, lost a two-and-a-half year battle with bone cancer in September 2008.

But devoted Lisa, of Bramley Close, begins IVF treatment on Monday in the hope of falling pregnant with the baby they longed for, using sperm Gareth had frozen before undergoing chemotherapy.

The 27-year-old had hoped to start IVF in January but was held back by red tape, leaving her with an agonising wait to learn if she would be accepted.

But a few weeks ago the coronary care nurse finally got permission to start the £5,000 NHS-funded treatment.

She said: “It’s been a long time waiting and a real battle trying to get this started.

“The treatment will be a great way to start the New Year and give me something positive to focus on – having my husband’s baby is so precious.”

Gareth, diagnosed with an osteosarcoma in spring 2006, married Lisa that October and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but the cancer spread to his chest and ribs and just one year later was told there was no cure.

In summer 2008 doctors discovered Gareth had a brain tumour and the cancer had spread to the rest of his body – he died on September 10 2008.

Lisa should know by the end of February if the treatment has been successful, but vowed to keep trying if it fails.

She added: “It’s hard, especially at this time of year when people are spending time with loved ones and he’s the one person I want to be with most.

“My husband is and was my whole life and this will always continue. I will make sure his children know what a great daddy they had and still have.”

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