Julie Hatton knew something was wrong when she began experiencing weakness in her left arm
Julie Hatton knew something was wrong when she began experiencing weakness in her left arm
A woman died just months after her mum from the same devastating illness. Julie Hatton, 51, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) only weeks after losing her mum to the illness, and died seven months later after a rapid decline.
Her husband, John Hatton, from St Helens, said their lives were turned upside down when Julie began experiencing worrying symptoms. In November 2023, while cooking one of her favourite meals, she realised something was wrong when she suddenly lost strength in her left arm and was unable to lift a pan from the hob.
Within weeks, Julie also lost strength in her left leg and following tests, the couple were given the devastating diagnosis of MND. The disease progressed quickly, leaving the family to face the reality of how little time they had together.
Since her death, John, an A-level maths teacher, has written a book titled ‘No Plan B’ about their final months together, using diary entries he began during Julie’s illness to celebrate her life and raise awareness of the condition.
John told the ECHO: “When Julie’s mum was diagnosed, the words MND came as a massive shock. Julie’s mum died in July, and it was only in November when Julie noticed her own symptoms.
“She was concerned and I told her that her mum was in her 70s and Julie was only 51. I said, ‘let’s not think the worst just yet’. But she was convinced. From that day she always said she could feel it and knew what it was.”
Julie initially tried to rebuild strength in her arms by going to the gym, but the weakness continued to worsen. During a weekend trip to Leeds, her condition took another worrying turn when her left leg suddenly gave way.
John said: “She described it as being like a cardboard tube from a kitchen roll, as if it had kinked and bent in the middle. She cried the whole way home.”
With waiting lists for neurology appointments stretching for months, the couple decided to seek private medical help. Julie underwent tests at Spire Hospital in Warrington before having an MRI scan at the Liverpool site.
Further nerve conduction tests later confirmed the diagnosis after identifying widespread muscle fasciculations, particularly in the muscles in Julie’s neck, and doctors gave Julie the devastating news she had MND.
John said: “For Julie, it was kind of just confirming her suspicions. For me, it was one of those moments where you see it on adverts, in films but you never believe it will be you. But it was, and we just stood in the reception and hugged.
“It was like one of those time lapse videos; people were coming and going, and we were just stood stationary. It’s heartbreaking. It’s the worst news you can ever have.”
Julie died just 212 days after being diagnosed, passing away on August 17 after receiving the news on January 17.
John said: “Watching your wife deteriorate before your eyes, slowly taking her bit by bit is just devastating. Every day, something gets worse. You sleep a little bit longer, your arms and legs are a little bit weaker.
“Eventually, you need a wheelchair to get from the living room to the kitchen, and the bedroom moves downstairs. Eventually you have to go to the hospice because it’s unbelievably difficult to look after somebody at home.
“I suppose the hardest part is that you want to enjoy what little time you have left together. There’s no cure; there’s never a moment where you think you’ll beat it. You know your fate from the minute you’re diagnosed.”
Throughout it all, John said Julie remained incredibly strong: “Even in the toughest of circumstances, Julie was an absolute warrior who fought the disease head-on. She didn’t ever play the victim; she was always so strong and she was absolutely incredible. I still get strength from her, and she’s been gone two-and-a-half years.”
During Julie’s illness, John began writing diary entries, primarily to capture their experiences and keep friends updated, but also to understand his own emotions.
He said: “I just wanted to capture as much of Julie as I could. She was so popular and had so many friends, and as time went on, it became a way of keeping everyone involved. She wasn’t hiding away from anything; Julie wanted people to know and understand about MND, because a lot of people don’t. And the longer she slept, the more I wrote.”
After Julie died, John spent six months turning those diary entries into a book.
He added: “I’ve never had an aspiration to write a book. I’m an A-Level maths teacher, I don’t do words. But as it went on, I got better at writing. When she died, it was all I did for six months.
“The book is not about me; it’s a love story. It’s about celebrating what Julie had, our life together, and trying to promote the plight of those with MND.”
Anyone interested in John’s book, ‘No Plan B’, can find out more here.
