Dying Tolladine woman's last Christmas wish comes true

Debbie Lacey, of Hawthorne Road, Tolladine, did not feel like celebrating Christmas this year after treatment, which has included chemotherapy and radiotherapy, was withdrawn.

Yet, inspired by her family - dubbed 'mama's army' - she continues to fight cancer and her loved ones have been there every step of the way.

WOW: The Christmas lights for Debbie Lacey at her home in Hawthorn Road, Tolladine, Worcester (Image: Supplied)

The 58-year-old, who does not know how long she has left, has found her fighting spirit buoyed by her loving family who have turned her home into a Christmas grotto.

Her daughters, niece and sister have even got tattoos to show their love for her in her darkest hour, getting the ink at Homestead Tattoo in St John's. 

FAMILY: Helen Lacey's tattoo for her mum and dad inspired by their courage in Debbie Lacey's cancer fight (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Mrs Lacey's husband, Paul, has been behind his wife 'every step of the way' during her cancer struggle, attending all her appointments and even staying with her in hospital on the floor so he could always be at her side.

Her nephew, Shaun Lacroix, has also been supportive, attending all her appointments. 

Mrs Lacey said her whole family, including her three children, had been 'a rock'.

However, to her family, it is Debbie who is the inspiration because of her fighting spirit.

NEW: Kerry Lacey's new tattoo for her mum and dad, inspired by her mum Debbie Lacey's courage in her cancer battle (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Her family was determined she would have her best-ever Christmas so decorated her home inside and out with lights and decorations.

Her niece Shannon Lacroix, 19, Harley Boon, 18, and daughters Kerry Lacey, 31, and Helen Lacey, 30, pulled out all the stops.

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Mrs Lacey said: "There is nothing else they can do for me now. It's end of life. I have just got to make memories.

"I didn't want to put anything up but they have bought everything, all the decorations. 

"They kept saying 'It's memories, mum'. When they put them up it was lovely. I had my cry.

"When I'm in bed at night I can see all the lights flashing outside. It is lovely to have a good family around me."

RESPECT: Shannon Lacroix honoured her aunt, Debbie Lacey, with this tattoo (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The cancer has now spread from her cervix to her kidneys but thanks to support from family and friends she has already fulfilled her dream to walk on the beach at Brean. 

She had a large bleed in September, losing five pints of blood, which required admission to Worcestershire Royal Hospital for five days and, since then, she has struggled to get out of the house.

ENCHANTING: This festive treat has been a delight to Debbie Lacey and her grandchildren (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

It took the family a few days to set up all the decorations and lights inside and outside. 

Her six grandchildren have also been visiting to keep her spirits up - JJ Lacey, five, comes into her home and the first thing he does is switch all the musical ornaments on.

But it has also been the people of Tolladine who have rallied behind the family, described by them as a great community.

Her daughter Helen Lacey said: "The aim was to make it a Christmas grotto for mum. Mum loves Blackpool.

"Mum, you are an incredible woman. I'm not just saying that because you're my mum. Anyone else would have given up by now. I call us 'mama's army'. She has got her own army behind her."

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