Eye test sealed mum Leanne’s fate

Leanne and husband Chris

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A ROUTINE eye test uncovered a deadly illness that killed Chadderton mum Leanne Thorp within four months.

Doctors advised the 32-year-old mother of three, of Foxdenton Lane, to get her sight checked in June when she complained of headaches and tiredness.

The optician detected a problem and Leanne — mum to Thomas (7), Sam (4) and Kaitlin (17 months) — was referred to the eye clinic at the Royal Oldham Hospital where a tumour was found in her pituitary gland.

Leanne had two operations to remove the tumour – but a scan two weeks later showed it had returned - and was cancerous. Despite six weeks of radiotherapy the cancer aggressive cancer took her right eye.

After her treatment ended in August, Leanne took a holiday with husband Chris and the children but severe neck pain forced her to spend a lot of time in bed. A hospital scan revealed the cancer had spread and doctors told the family she had months to live.

Determined to stay positive and make the most of her remaining time, Leanne made a wish list including a christening for Kaitlin, early birthday parties for her sons and a trip to Blackpool illuminations.

Kaitlin’s christening was held on September 30, but Leanne wasn’t well enough to leave hospital. It was on that day her family was told to prepare to say goodbye. Leanne returned home and died on October 2, surrounded by her family. Her funeral is tomorrow morning at Corpus Christi RC Church in Chadderton.

Husband Chris, who met Leanne — an assistant caretaker at North Chadderton School— in November 2000, said: “Leanne told me she wants me to keep her ashes on the mantelpiece, so she can watch her children grow up. We are making memory boxes for the kids so they can remember their mum and we will always talk about her to them.

“The boys will remember her but Kaitlin won’t, so it is our job to tell her what a fantastic person her mum was.”

Sister Jacqueline said: “We are a very close family and we were all together when Leanne died. She was a very positive person and her sense of humour lasted right until the end.

“We really want to thank everyone who came to Kaitlin’s christening because even though Leanne couldn’t be there, it meant the world to her that everyone else was.”