On May 9, Nicola posted on Instagram of her “fun fact” diagnosis of blood clots. She remained upbeat. “This morning I have been transferred to the neuro unit in Southampton where I will be filled with blood thinners and steroids to dissipate said clots and improve my platelet levels. Will be here at least a week. No visitors allowed.
But the good news is that I have a correct diagnosis and am in the right place to get better.”
She was still positive a day later. On May 10 she posted her “highlights” of the day that included doctors removing one of the cannulas ”so no longer ‘tethered’ by both arms (which has been a logistical nightmare)”. The “lowlights”, she told her friends included: “Discovered that coughing is really really bad. My drink went the wrong way this morning, causing me to cough, which resulted in an absolutely blinding headache all day (side effect of having a brain clot).”
Further scans had uncovered “a clot in my lung too. And suspected clot in my stomach (ultrasound tomorrow to confirm). BUT, current treatment will treat those too with no adjustment necessary”.
Her conclusion, upbeat as always, was: “So all in all, could be worse I suppose!”
Comfort in finding ‘genuine ray of light’
The next day, Nicola suffered a “significant brain bleed” from which she never recovered. She slipped into unconsciousness and never came too. Her husband agreed to switch off her life support machine on May 15 but only after he had signed off consent forms to donate his wife’s heart and two kidneys to three other patients, whose lives he hopes have been saved.
“I said my goodbyes on Saturday afternoon,” said Mr Weideling, “I was still in shock. The last thing I did for Nicola was ensure her wishes as an organ donor were fulfilled. For me that was finding a genuine ray of light in it all. There is comfort in that.”
Oxford University’s accounts for 2021/22 show that it received £143.1 million in royalties “on the sale of the oxford AstraZeneca vaccine”. The university was then obliged to pass on £67 million to “third parties for use of vaccine technology”.
Oxford University’s net surplus was £76.1 million. Then in June 2022, Oxford University announced that every member of staff – about 13,000 in total – would receive a £1,000 one-off ‘thank you’ bonus for working through the pandemic. Nicola – had she not been killed by the Oxford-AZ vaccine – would have received the cash.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
