Catch up TV

Series 10: 4. I Will Survive

My Life ‘I Will Survive’ was filmed over the summer of 2018 and follows the life of Vlogger Nikki Lilly. Combining observational footage, video diaries and her own vlogs - this film is an intimate and very personal insight into the resilience, enduring bravery and wonderfulness of an amazing 14-year-old young woman.\n \nTwo years ago, Nikki Lilly won Junior Bake-Off, but lots has happened since. Nikki has become a teenager and her followers on YouTube have risen to over 350,000. Nikki also has her own CBBC series, Nikki Lilly Meets, in which she chats to some of the country’s top celebs. But it’s not all sunshine and unicorns.\n\nHitting 14 and puberty is not good news for her AVM, it’s the medical condition she has been aware of since she was 6. The increase in blood pressure in her body has made her nosebleeds and headaches a lot worse. In June 2018, after a bleed that wouldn’t stop, Nikki was rushed into hospital and put into a sleep-induced coma. After eight days they finally managed to stabilise the situation, and this is where we begin the film. \n\nAs Nikki’s AVM is considered life threating it is crucial that her doctors at Great Ormond Street come up with a plan as soon as possible. It is decided that she will need three major operations over the next six months to remove as much of the AVM as possible, it's very tricky and dangerous because her AVM is behind her eye and deep in her scull near her brain.\n\nIn the meantime, Nikki is celebrating her fourteenth birthday and allowed to colour her hair, which she films for her YouTube channel. It’s a very welcome distraction for her and being able to go out for dinner and enjoy hanging out with her family is something she wasn’t sure her medical condition would allow this year. As ever Nikki is keen to embrace the positives in her life and is really grateful for all the support she has received from her online followers.\n\nBefore the surgeons at Great Ormond Street can start removing the AVM they need to block off some of the arteries that carry blood into her face, this is so that during surgery there will be a lot less chance of blood lose, it should be straightforward but after the procedure Nikki is left in a lot of pain. It’s the summer and all her friends are on holiday, Nikki is feeling isolated and very lonely. In a very brave, candid and moving video diary, Nikki opens up about how tough it is being her. Nikki is very honest about not wanting pity and people to feel sorry for her but feels its really important to let people understand her life better. Nikki is also upset because she has been invited to Youtube’s Summer in the City and she doesn’t know if she will be well enough to attend.\n\nIn true Nikki style, she pulls it out of the bag and two days later, with her pain under control she is at Summer in the City. Nikki is blown away by all the love and support of her followers and explains how important it is for her, as someone with a visual difference to put herself out there and get her message of positivity onto a global platform. Despite social media sometimes getting a bad reputation, for Nikki it has been an incredibly positive experience, sharing her story through her vlogs allowed her to engage with the world when her medical condition has stopped her.\n\nThe next day Nikki is heading back into GOSH for her first surgery. With her mum and dad by her side the “Three Musketeer’s” face Nikkis most scary surgery yet. The eight-hour operation goes well but the healing takes a long time. Finally after missing months of school Nikki is heading back to Year 10. Nikki is very nervous but her friends are there for her and the film ends with another video diary where Nikki talks through her positive day and the bigger picture the need to embrace life be the best version of yourself and appreciate every day.\n

Source: CBBC