Christmas Symptoms Dismissed as Overindulgence Before Shocking Diagnosis
Nicholas Brace, a 44-year-old warehouse worker from South Ockendon, Essex, believed his nausea and stomach discomfort during the 2025 Christmas and New Year period were simply the result of overindulging in festive food and drink. Having been in remission from bowel cancer since late 2023, he initially brushed off the symptoms, thinking he had merely "overdone it" during the holidays.
Emergency Visit Reveals Tumour Between Pancreas and Stomach
When his symptoms escalated to shooting pains and bloating in early January 2026, Nicholas decided to visit Accident and Emergency. A subsequent medical scan unveiled a tumour located in the lesser curve region between his pancreas and stomach. Doctors confirmed this was secondary stomach cancer, indicating his previous bowel cancer had metastasised.
"I just knew something wasn't right, and that's when I decided to go to A&E," Nicholas recounted. The diagnosis was particularly devastating as medics concluded the tumour was inoperable under NHS care due to the specialised treatment required, which is not provided by the health service. Instead, he was offered palliative care options.
Family Launches Fundraising Drive for Private Treatment
Determined to explore all avenues for survival, the Brace family has initiated a fundraising campaign to secure £8,000 for private medical treatment. This could potentially cover a PET scan for clearer tumour imaging, chemotherapy to reduce its size, or surgical intervention. Nicholas's daughter, Maddison Brace, 20, a veterinarian, explained their initial assumption: "We just believed he had overindulged as he did enjoy plenty of snacks over Christmas. It was only when his symptoms continued that we began to worry more."
The family has established a GoFundMe page, which has already surpassed £7,000 in donations, thanks largely to the efforts of Maddison and her sister Megan, 19, a nursery practitioner who promoted the campaign via TikTok. Nicholas expressed gratitude: "Without the girls we wouldn't have been able to do any of this." Any unused funds will be donated to Cancer Research UK.
Doctors Identify Rare Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour
Medical professionals believe Nicholas is suffering from a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), an uncommon cancer affecting the soft tissue of the digestive system, typically in the stomach or small intestine. His wife, Laura Brace, 42, who works in secondary school safeguarding, described the ordeal as "the worst time of our lives, even worse than before. It's just horrendous."
The family has made significant lifestyle changes to support Nicholas's health, including preparing all meals from scratch and avoiding frozen foods. Laura mentioned Nicholas now consumes a pomegranate daily in hopes of boosting his wellbeing.
Maintaining a Positive Mindset Amidst the Challenge
Despite the grim prognosis, Nicholas remains resolute. "You've got to have the mentality to think, I'm not going to let it beat me," he asserted. "I've got to stay strong, stay active and eat healthy. I've got to fight it. I've done it once before and I'll do it again."
The family continues their fundraising efforts, overwhelmed by the support from their community. Maddison noted, "Hopefully, once we know the next steps, we'll know a bit more about the exact costs and it can help us get a more accurate goal for donations."
