Playful pooch helps save cancer gran’s life
A grateful gran of seven has told how a playful leap from her beloved dog could have saved her life.
Carolann Menzies was at home in Ardencraig Road when little Alhasa Apso pooch Alfie jumped up on her chest to give her a loving lick.
A couple of days later, Carolann went to see her doctor with discomfort in her breast after what she thought was no more than a playful knock from Alfie.
However, within 10 days she was diagnosed at the Victoria Royal Infirmary with breast cancer and began an immediate course of chemotherapy.
And Carolann, from Castlemilk, is convinced that but for Alfie’s playfulness, she would have carried on unaware that her fatigue was not down to working 13-hour shifts as a support worker – but actually a symptom of breast cancer.
“If it wasn’t for my wee fur-baby Alfie, who really is the most loveable wee thing, I might not be here,”said Carolann, 55.
“I had been so tired and I put that down to working long hours. If it wasn’t for Alfie, it might have gone unnoticed until it was too late.”
Carolann’s determination to fight the condition inspired her 13-year-old niece, Kloe Menzies, to raise vital funds for the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.
Kloe, whose nana, Isobel McRae, is also battling cancer, had long locks the length of her waist which had only ever been trimmed but never cut.
The teenager, who lives in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, raised an appeal for family and friends to sponsor her dramatic hair chop.
They gathered in Rothesay’s Golfers Bar recently to see a local hairdresser reduce Kloe’s locks to a fashionable shoulder-length bob,
“I thought she would be greetin’but she was fine,”said her proud auntie Carolann, who says young Kloe has grown to like her new look.
The family last week went along to the Beatson to hand over a cheque for £900.
Kloe, who returned to her island home with a Beatson T-shirt, balloons, banners and six collection tins, is now embarking on her next fundraising drive for the Beatson in a bid to help people like nana Isobel and aunt Carolann.
“It was quite touching,”said Carolann.
“She is a dead helpful wee girl with a heart of gold - a very kind wee lassie.”