Much-loved Wolverhampton nurse dies from cancer after chocolate cyst misdiagnosis

A beloved nurse from Wolverhampton sadly passed away following a battle with ovarian cancer at the age of 47 after originally being misdiagnosed.

Nikki Farrington was a much-loved nurse on the neonatal intensive care unit rd at New Cross Hospital, where she worked for 26 years, devoting her life to saving premature babies and later on bereaved families.

Her husband Ian told the Express & Star that she set up the first neonatal bereavement service in the West Midlands, and helped and supported so many families.

Ms Farrington, born in Bilston, was diagnosed with low grade serous ovarian cancer in March 2023 after originally being misdiagnosed with a chocolate cyst, Mr Farrington said.

A chocolate cyst is a fluid-filled, noncancerous ovarian cyst that develops as a severe form of endometriosis.

Mr Farrington added: “Her original symptoms were abdominal pain, irregular periods and eventually a stitch like pain on her right side, fatigue and loss of energy.

“My advice to anyone experiencing any pain or symptoms in the those areas is to get checked out. Do not leave it for another day or hope the pain will go on its own and try to ignore it.

“Get checked out and don't let doctors try to convince you otherwise.”

He praised his wife’s achievements, telling the Express & Star: “She helped and supported so many families we are all so proud of her achievements, also winning neonatal nurse of the year award and the Mariposa award for her efforts. Family was everything to Nikki.”