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A Kent mother-of-two who is dying from a rare form of glandular cancer has won her fight to have a life-prolonging drug paid for by the NHS.Nikki Phelps, 37, of Luddesdown, appealed against a decision by NHS West Kent not to pay for the drug Sunitinib.
She and her husband had faced selling their home to pay for the treatment.
NHS West Kent said: "After reviewing the current application for the cancer treatment Sunitinib, NHS West Kent has decided to fund the drug in this case."
Life savings
The NHS trust also agreed to backdate its decision to 1 February, repaying £9,150 the couple had already spent.
Mrs Phelps, who has two-year-old twin boys with her husband Bill, had spent her £6,000 life savings on the drug, but needed £36,000 for a year's supply.
Previously, NHS West Kent said there was not enough evidence it would be effective and refused to authorise payment.
Mrs Phelps had been told by her consultant the drug was the only one that could help prolong her life.
The former primary school teacher was first diagnosed with cancer 10 years ago before being given the all-clear in 2002.
But after giving birth through IVF treatment in November 2007, the disease returned and she had a tumour removed in January 2009.This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.