A family's world "fell through the floor" when their "warrior" mum was handed a "dire" diagnosis.
Cat Mackay, 62, struggled with stomach problems for years before a scan in February 2020 revealed a "thickening" in her bowel; an issue which can sometimes be indicator of bowel cancer. Cat was earmarked for a biopsy, but the arrival of the pandemic less than a month later meant her appointment didn't go ahead.
In September 2020, Cat, originally from Wallasey, was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer with clusters in her lungs and liver, and was told she had between 18 months to three years left to live. Cat's cousin, Caroline Soul, 48, told the ECHO : “She was told she had stage four cancer in her bowel, liver and lungs and asked what treatments she wanted to discuss.
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"She was just sat there, gobsmacked, thinking, 'hang on, what’s going on'. One trust told her there was nothing they could do for her but she decided she wasn’t going to take it lying down, she was going to fight it."
Cat, a mum-of three who also has grandchildren, underwent chemotherapy and began using a treatment called Avastin however, in July this year, a routine scan turned into the 62-year-old's worst nightmare after it revealed there had been growth in her lung clusters. The discovery meant Cat was told there was no further treatment available to her on the NHS and she was given a revised life expectancy of six to 12 months.
Determined that she was "not ready to give up", Cat began looking into treatment in the private sector and found a professor in Frankfurt who was willing to trial her on an alternative treatment which, if successful, could offer her several more years.
Caroline said: "When Cat was told her treatment would be stopped, she refused to take it lying down and heard about a professor at Frankfurt University where treatment is 3,000 euros per round. She currently has enough for two rounds but doesn’t know how many she’ll need."
Cat and her husband Darren, who now live in Llanddewi, Wales, have raised more than £15,000 to go towards Cat's various treatments since she was diagnosed. However, Caroline wants to do her bit to help her cousin's cause by taking part in a 17.5 mile charity walk from New Brighton to West Kirby and back.
Caroline, who lives in Rock Ferry, said: "I did a charity walk last year dressed as a penguin but this time me and my friend Cathie will be doing it dressed in tutus. All the money raised will go towards Cat's treatment and I've told her anything left over is to go towards her. Despite everything, she’s always there for her family so its time she took time for herself.
“I’m really close to Cat. I've been told we look alike, sound alike and are very in tune with one another. She’s feisty, determined, compassionate and always willing to go the extra mile for people and put herself last. She’s so generous and will do anything for anybody so this is my way of helping her.”
Caroline will be taking on her charity walk on October 1. You can donate here.
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