A DEVOTED widow has revealed how an “unusual-looking mole” on his wife’s shoulder was diagnosed as cancer and led to her death just days before last Christmas. 

Ben Farley, 30, from Basildon, is sharing the tragic story to raise awareness as well as praising St Luke’s Hospice, which allowed him to spend time with his childhood sweetheart in her final days. 

Mr Farley and Kirsty Farley, met when they were both just 16, going on to marry in September 2017.

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The pair were inseparable and shared “many fantastic times together”. However, in June 2019, as Ben and Kirsty were getting ready to go on holiday, they noticed an unusual looking mole on her shoulder.

Ben said they thought it would “probably be nothing” but booked an appointment to see the GP as soon as they returned.

The GP ordered a biopsy and to the shock of the Basildon couple, Kirsty was told she had skin cancer. Just months later in October 2019, it was then discovered the cancer had spread to Kirsty’s lymph nodes.

Ben said: “Kirsty had chemotherapy, and during this time she met a lady the same age as her also being treated for melanoma.

“This lady was diagnosed after Kirsty but passed away while Kirsty was still having treatment.

“This completely rocked us, she was so upset, as it made it all too real and scary for us both.”

Sadly, scans later show the cancer had also spread to Kirsty’s brain, and the couple were told there wasn’t much more than could be done.

In November 2021, consultants suggested they get in touch with St Luke’s Hospice.

Ben said: “We didn’t know anything about the hospice or the services available, but we didn’t hesitate making the call as getting Kirsty the help she needed was my priority.

“From the moment she arrived at St Luke’s everyone was so welcoming. Their care made what was an extremely difficult time easier and allowed our families that peace of mind that Kirsty was safe.

“We all got to spend time with her, and every Sunday the nurses would set up the family room for just Kirsty and I so that we could have dinner together. These memories will stay with me forever.”

In the lead-up to Christmas, the hospice decorated the garden areas which Kirsty could see from her room, in her final days.