Pope Francis' doctor reveals pontiff's final regret before his death
Pope Francis expressed regret to Dr. Alfieri about not being able to perform the traditional foot-washing ritual for Holy Thursday.
Dr. Alfieri stated that the 88-year-old Pope died quickly on Easter Monday morning without undue suffering, and medical intervention could not have saved him.
The Pope was found conscious but unresponsive in his room, and Dr. Alfieri determined further medical intervention would be futile.
Despite a recent pneumonia hospitalisation, the Pope's death came as a shock, especially after his Easter Sunday appearance.
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Daily Record
7 days ago
- Daily Record
Woman given year to live after bombshell cancer diagnosis months after wedding
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Daily Mirror
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- Daily Mirror
'I was told my symptoms were perimenopause - then I had a seizure'
Sarah Hitchman, 43, had been struggling with headaches, jaw pain, anxiety, double vision and extreme tiredness for months A woman who was told her anxiety and tiredness were down to perimenopause was later diagnosed with a brain tumour. Sarah Hitchman, 43, had been battling with headaches, jaw pain, anxiety, double vision and extreme tiredness for months. Doctors initially thought her symptoms were due to Eustachian tube dysfunction - where the tube is blocked, leading to dull hearing - or the effects of perimenopause. However, the special educational needs coordinator was later informed she had a 5cm meningioma - a type of brain tumour - after suffering a seizure while on a family visit in Ireland earlier this year. Sarah, from Bognor Regis, West Sussex, said: "I honestly thought I was experiencing anxiety from perimenopause, even the dentist thought I was just grinding my teeth when I had jaw pain. I had no idea it was something so serious. I left home for Easter and returned to someone else's horror story." Sarah flew to Ireland with her husband Brian on April 15, 2025, to visit her brother, Michael, before suffering a tonic-clonic seizure - where you lose consciousness, your muscles stiffen and your body jerks and shakes. She said: "My husband, Brian, and I were only 20 minutes away from my brother Michael's house when I suddenly started to feel sick. I thought it was travel sickness, until my mouth locked open, my chin started shaking and I heard a loud banging in my ears. Then I blacked out." She was swiftly taken to Bantry General Hospital in Cork, where a CT scan revealed a large mass on her brain. Instead of starting treatment abroad, she was advised against flying and made the journey back home by car. Once back in Blighty, Sarah was rushed to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester, West Sussex, where another CT scan confirmed the presence of the tumour. She was then immediately referred to Southampton General Hospital in Hampshire for an urgent neurosurgical assessment. Sarah recalled: "I knew it wasn't looking good because, after my CT scan at St Richard's Hospital, they immediately called the neurology department at Southampton General Hospital, and I was told I needed to see the surgeon the next day. That was the longest night of my life." The medical team informed her that surgery was the only option, but it came with severe risks - including loss of mobility, eyesight or even a stroke. Sarah said: "I cried, I just couldn't process what he was saying, and I was scared. It was terrifying. My mind went to the darkest places. I worried about telling people, how they'd react, and when I did share the news, it felt like people were visiting to say goodbye." On April 29, she underwent a life-saving brain operation at Southampton General Hospital, where surgeons successfully removed the tumour. Just two days later, Sarah was able to return home. Recovery was a tough road for Sarah, with her eye swelling shut and the development of vertical double vision. She also grappled with the emotional fallout from the shock and trauma of her experience. She said: "People keep telling me that I was strong and brave. But honestly, I didn't feel that way. Everything happened so fast, I just did what I was told. I didn't have time to be brave, I didn't have a choice and just wanted to survive." Now gearing up to return to work, Sarah has managed to raise more than £820 by taking part in Brain Tumour Research's '88 Squats a Day Challenge'. This represents the £2,740 required to fund a day of research at one of the charity's 'Centres of Excellence'. She said: "My confidence has returned and I feel proud about the amount I have raised. I am incredibly lucky. It was a horrendous time, but now I have a second chance to move forward, create a new normal, and raise awareness so others don't face the same uncertainty I did. We need more research, more support, and more hope." Letty Greenfield, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: "Sarah's story highlights just how easily the early signs of a brain tumour can be missed. Her strength through this traumatic journey is inspiring, and we're incredibly grateful for her support."
South Wales Guardian
29-06-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Ammanford family heartbreak over young daughter's diagnosis
Eira Lewis was a fully healthy toddler before April 12, 2025. But on that day, Eira's life changed when she woke up after a nap at 3pm and began to experience vomiting, her eyes rolling to the back of her head and a temperature of 41.8 degrees. Eira was a healthy toddler. (Image: Rebecca Fewings) Eira's mother, Rebecca Fewings said: 'It's been a bit of a whirlwind. She's gone from being a fully healthy toddler who was fully potty trained and very bright to now suffering from this condition. 'We've gone from a toddler who could do everything to one that has no muscle tone and has to be tube-fed baby food. 'When we were taking her to A&E her vomit was turning black, and she was turning grey and blue. They found she that had some swelling on the brain. They didn't think she would make it through Easter weekend. They had the death certificate ready. 'They told us that she was gone, that she was no longer with us. They turned off the life machine and the doctor waited 15 minutes. But when we came back into the room she was still breathing. Eira has a different path.' The two-year-old's life changed on April 12, 2025. (Image: Rebecca Fewings) Eira is currently battling a rare and life-threatening condition known as Acute Necrotizing Encephalitis (ANE). Due to suffering from involuntary movements of the limbs and not being able to follow any commands or make facial expressions, Eira did not qualify for neural rehab. Eira did not qualify for neural rehab. (Image: Rebecca Fewings) Rebecca continued: 'We were shown the MRI scan of her brain. The brain should mainly be dark but 90% of Eira's brain is white. She has a badly affected brain injury. 'One of the main consultants said that if they didn't know Eira and her circumstances, they would say the child is no longer breathing. They can't tell us if we have nine days, nine weeks, nine months or ninety years. 'Now we just want to give her the best quality of life possible, for however long that might be, by going to Folly Farm and doing things together as a family.' Eira with mum Rebecca, dad Phil and 10-month-old sibling Angharad. (Image: Rebecca Fewings) Eira lives with Rebecca, her father Phil Lewis and 10-month-old sister Angharad. The family hope that by sharing their story, they can raise awareness about ANE, besides connecting them with others who have gone through similar challenges.
