Tears for a clown: Nikki the Cairns children’s entertainer’s brush with death

A beloved Cairns children’s entertainer has been rushed to hospital after suffering a life-threatening illness.

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A BELOVED Cairns children’s entertainer has had emergency surgery after suffering a life-threatening illness.

Nikki Lowmass, known as Nikki the Clown, woke up on Monday morning with excruciating pain in her stomach.

Her husband, Vince Fahey, dialled 000 and had paramedics take her to the hospital’s emergency department.

There, Ms Lowmass was diagnosed with a potentially fatal bowel necrosis, caused by a blockage in her intestines.

Doctors needed to remove a section of her large bowel and colon before it poisoned her system.

Nikki Lowmass and Vince Fahey form the Barbary Coasters Duo

Mr Fahey said fortunately the surgery was a success.

“If she hadn’t been given the operation, she wouldn’t be here today to talk to us,” he said.

His wife of 30 years had been working at Carnival on Collins on Sunday and there had been no indication of her sickness, Mr Fahey said.

The pair, who also form Jimmy Buffett tribute band The Barbary Coasters, have had to cancel this weekend’s much anticipated Parrothead Party at the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron.

“The doctors are estimating she’ll be in hospital for about two weeks and it will be about six months recovery,” Mr Fahey said.

“But Nikki, the first thing she asked me for when she came out of the anaesthetic was for me to bring a phone and her diary, so she can get to work cancelling any shows.

“I expect to come into the hospital, though, at some stage to find that she’s done face-painting on all the staff.”

Originally published as Tears for a clown: Nikki the Cairns children’s entertainer’s brush with death