A heartbroken Dundee man has spoken of his devastation after losing his wife to breast cancer.
Steven Johnston (44), a forklift operator, said he could not put into words what his wife of almost 19 years meant to him and admitted he was “lost” without her.
Audrey Johnston (41) passed away following a brave seven-year battle with cancer and leaves behind a husband and 10-year-old daughter, Niamh.
The psychiatric nurse, who lived in Sherbrook Gardens, received extensive treatment at Ninewells Hospital.
Mr Johnston, who met his would be wife at the age of just 13, said he was “very proud” of her approach to her illness.
“She put up a really good fight,” said an emotional Mr Johnston. “She said ‘I have cancer but it doesn’t have me,’ that is really how she viewed it.”
Two years ago Mr and Mrs Johnston did the charity Moonwalk in Edinburgh, which raises awareness for breast cancer.
Mr Johnston said his wife was a real inspiration, completing the half-marathon distance while he did the full marathon.
During her fight Audrey received expert care and attention from nurses at Ward 32 and proved to be a popular figure.
At one stage she was being treated with three types of chemotherapy, which left her lacking in energy.
But she refused to let the life-threatening condition hold her back and went on to gain a specialist nurse practitioner qualification which meant she, and just one other Dundee resident, were allowed to dispense medicine to patients.
“She was like that, she refused to let cancer hold her back,” said Mr Johnston. “She was a wonderful person.”Humour and dignityThroughout her ordeal Audrey maintained a sense of humour and dignity, according to her parents Maureen and Ally.
“Not long after she started chemotherapy and lost her hair she was due to go and see Rod Stewart in concert,” said Maureen.
“She joked with us that she was going to let them know that she had cancer and that way she could meet him. She held on to her humour and dignity throughout.”
Only last week Audrey found out from doctors that she had just days to live.
The news came as a complete shock to the family.
“We were all so upset by it and she actually apologised for that,” continued Maureen. “She told me that she has the easy bit and it was the family and friends who had the difficult part.
“That was her, she always cared about others and she was such a special person. She wasn’t only my daughter but my pal as well.”
As a mark of respect mourners attending Audrey’s funeral tomorrow have been asked to wear something pink by her young daughter Niamh.