Caroline Guy, a brave and determined mother, received a devastating diagnosis when she was misdiagnosed with the menopause instead of stage 4 bowel cancer. Doctors initially gave her a mere three to four months to live, as the cancer had spread to her liver and ovaries. However, Caroline refused to let despair consume her and embarked on a grueling journey of chemotherapy at Nottingham University Hospitals.
After six weeks of intense treatment, Caroline underwent extensive surgery at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham. The procedure involved a full hysterectomy and the removal of part of her bowel. Following further tests, Caroline received astonishing news – she was cancer-free. This unexpected outcome was nothing short of a miracle.
It all began in 2019 when Caroline’s complaints of a swollen stomach were dismissed as menopausal symptoms by her GP. Despite her suspicions and even directly asking if it could be bowel cancer, the doctor assured her it was not. However, a year later, during a visit to her husband in Saudi Arabia, Caroline woke up in excruciating pain, with a stomach that resembled a seven-month pregnancy. Alarmed, she was rushed to the hospital, where a series of tests revealed the grim truth – she had advanced bowel cancer.
Caroline vividly remembered her husband and youngest daughter’s faces when they received the devastating news. The surgeon informed her husband that Caroline had a mere three to four months left to live. The shock and pain were unimaginable, but Caroline’s determination did not waver. She sought a second opinion from the head of oncology, who advised her to stay positive and avoid searching for answers on the internet. Although her condition was deemed inoperable and incurable, Caroline started a course of chemotherapy and a targeted drug called Cituximae.
Returning to the UK in September, Caroline’s journey took an unexpected turn when she contracted Covid-19 and had to isolate. Despite this setback, scans revealed that her tumor had shrunk, and she was given an extended prognosis of around two years to live. With determination and the unwavering support of the medical staff, Caroline pressed on with her treatment, enduring fortnightly chemotherapy and having a pump fitted to receive treatment every 48 hours. Nurses went above and beyond, often staying overtime to monitor the machines and support Caroline.
Finally, the moment of hope arrived when Caroline’s scans showed that the tumors had shrunk enough to make surgery a possibility. She was transferred to the Queen’s Medical Centre, where she met her skilled surgeons, Alastair Simpson and David Humes, whom she affectionately nicknamed Ant and Dec. The surgeons successfully removed part of her bowel and performed a full hysterectomy. Through thorough histology and tests, it was confirmed that Caroline was in remission – a feat that seemed impossible not long ago.
Caroline’s courageous battle came at a steep cost, with her husband’s retirement fund depleted by £110,000 for her treatment in Saudi Arabia. However, the triumph of her recovery was priceless. She will be closely monitored every three months by her oncologist, ensuring her journey toward complete remission continues. Caroline and her husband plan to settle in Nottingham to be near their daughters, reflecting on the last two and a half years as a time of reevaluation and personal growth.
Caroline Guy’s remarkable story serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit, the importance of seeking second opinions, and the invaluable dedication of healthcare professionals. The debt of gratitude she feels towards the NHS staff who saved her life is immeasurable. Caroline’s resolve and refusal to accept her initial prognosis have led her to a life of hope and new possibilities. Her journey is an inspiration to us all.
