Christmas to savour
Cancer has made Mary determined to live every day like it’s her last, writes Heather Greenaway
MARY Carmichael knows this Christmas could well be her last, but she has vowed to not let that dampen her family’s festive spirits.
The 61-year-old was diagnosed with incurable cancer in 2018 and three years on she is still here and is determined to make every Christmas special for her daughter and grandchildren.
Mary believes her personal positivity and the help she receives from Cancer Support Scotland will ensure she is around for future festive seasons.
The grandmother-of-two, who will have to undergo chemotherapy for the rest of her life to keep the cancer in her lymph nodes, liver and ribs at bay, says she plans to keep busy living instead of dying.
But Mary, from Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, admitted her family would not be in such a positive place if it wasn’t for the counselling from the charity.
The brave mum and her daughter Laura Brown, 33, are the face of Cancer Support Scotland’s Give A Little More This Christmas Campaign.
The charity was founded by the father of TV star and comedian Susan Calman and offers unique therapies and counselling services that complement the work of Scotland’s NHS at a time when it has never been under greater strain.
Mary, who used to work for the Royal Mail, said: “I’m trying to make this the best Christmas ever for my family because we didn’t get to celebrate all together last year.
“I haven’t asked how long I have as I don’t want to know, but I am determined to make every day special as we don’t know what is ahead of us. I’m living every day like it is my first and my last.
“As well as having a beautiful family Christmas, my husband Dave and I are planning a trip to the sun in a few weeks and I have booked my spot at Aintree for the horse racing.
“They can’t cure my cancer but they can treat me. Chemotherapy is keeping me alive and I will need it for the rest of my life.
“I am of the opinion that as long as they contain it I will be OK. I’m praying there will be some medical miracle that will come and keep me here for longer. As long as doctors have a plan I will just keep going. “You can either curl up in a ball and feel sorry for yourself or you can get up and go on with it.” Mary, who was one of the Sunday Mail Breast Cancer Care Fashion show models back in 2019, added: “I have always been a positive person but having to shield during the lockdowns and only wave at my daughter and grandkids through the window really took its toll.
“Living with cancer I could cope with, but the emotions that went with it could sometimes prove too much and I found it hard to be upbeat all the time.
“I started having a video counselling call once a week with a lady from the charity. Even though I have a lovely family and brilliant friends I felt lonely and isolated and the sessions really helped. They also supported my daughter and that is why we are getting behind their Christmas campaign to let people know the help is out there, especially during these difficult times.” Laura, who is mum to Kyle, 12, and Sophie, six, said: “The charity gave mum a lifeline when she needed it the most. “I felt like I had lost my mum a little bit but I’ve now got her back. I really struggled with her diagnosis but they helped me with that.” Mary added: “I am determined to keep fighting and make this Christmas one for us all to remember.” To donate visit www.cancer supportscotland.org/fundraising/ givealittlemorethis christmas/
I haven’t asked how long I’ve got as I don’t want to know