Kirsty McMillan will tuck into a sumptuous meal prepared by Nick Nairn, thanks to an ITV show.
The 33-year-old mum-of-two, who grew up in Lockerbie but now lives in Dumfries, appeared on the Text Santa Jeremy Kyle Show, with her partner Ross, over the weekend to talk about her battle with a rare type of cancer.
Host Jeremy revealed the Christmas lunch surprise and presented Kirsty’s children, Chloe and Rhys, with presents as well as a family Hogmanay break to Center Parcs.
A stunned Kirsty told DNG Media: “When we found out Nick Nairn was cooking Christmas dinner I was in shock.
“Someone was giving up part of their own Christmas Day in order to make mine special and make memories for my children.
“I cannot thank Nick and his family enough for what they are doing for us. Money could not buy what he is giving us, happy memories.”
Talking about her illness, Kirsty said: “In 2010 I’d had a chest infection for months and after several antibiotics the doctors sent me for a scan which showed a tumour.
“After scans and a biopsy they discovered it was a thymoma.
“I had three months of chemo then a major operation and radiotherapy.
” Check ups gave Kirsty the all clear, but in January this year she developed pains and scans revealed the worst – the cancer had returned.
She added: “I started chemo in March and had two cycles then a scan which showed no change. I was given the option to carry on for two more cycles but at this point it would possibly only give me a little more time, so I decided not to spend anymore time sick for chemo and enjoy my time.”
Thanking those who have helped her family, Kirsty praised Emma Munro, of Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service — who appeared on TV with her.
She said: “Emma helped me get funding for nursery charges to help while I was away having treatment in 2010. And she helped me fill out all the complicated forms for benefits I was entitled to.
“She is a lovely lady with a heart of gold and made for the job, she takes the burden from you and does it with pride.”
She added: “My Macmillan nurse Katie has also been a great support, helping me get through some difficult times and I always come out of the visits feeling happier.”
And explaining her decision to stop treatment earlier this year, she said: “It certainly wouldn’t reduce the tumours, maybe only slow them down and give me a little bit more time, but I’d have had to spend a couple more months of feeling rotten back in April, so I didn’t think it was worth it for me and my family.”
