Kim Keillor should have been enjoying one of the happiest times of her life when her daughter, Abbi, was born in 2015.
But, in the space of a few months, her world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with a very rare cancer, olfactory neuroblastoma – which affects the nerve in a person’s nose – and suddenly found herself immersed “in two worlds”, as medical staff fought to save her life.
At that stage, the Orkney-born social worker was just 32, but the omens were hardly auspicious. During the period between her diagnosis in March, 2016 and treatment in August, the tumour had protruded into her brain and Mrs Keillor was told that doctors would treat her condition as palliative rather than something which could be cured.
However, determined to watch her toddler grow up, Mrs Keillor battled through the “horrible” days with the help and encouragement of her family and friends and the “amazing” nurses, neurologists and oncologists.
She said: “There were times when I couldn’t be with Abbi and I couldn’t lift her in and out of her cot, which was very difficult for me. Even after they gave me treatment for the tumour, I was in and out of hospital in Aberdeen with suspected sepsis and I had to rely on so many other people for support.
“But they were all there for me and I will never forget that. My parents, Ian and Ruth, and my husband, Jamie, and my sister, Julia – who is a Macmillan nurse in England – couldn’t have done any more for me and the same applies to all the staff members at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Friends of Anchor.
“While I was undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I was in the ward from 8am to 6pm and it can be a tough experience. But the FoA staff and volunteers gave me massages, they showed me films, they did my nails, they basically made me feel I was special and their impact allowed me to take my mind off my illness.
“It is two years now since I was given the all-clear and, hopefully, the tumour has gone. They blasted it with everything they had and I am eternally grateful to them.”
Mrs Keillor, now 35, will show her appreciation as one of the 24 women who are taking part in Courage on the Catwalk at the Beach Ballroom on May 11 and 12. She has enjoyed the rehearsals, not least because one of her friends, Olivia Jex, is also among the participants, and she has also been inspired by her fellow Orcadian, Emily Findlay, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma several years earlier.
She added: “I know people who have been in Courage in the last two events and it is amazing to see the influence it has on bringing people together and allowing them to show their personalities on the stage in front of an audience.
“We have already made a lot of progress at the rehearsals and I am certainly looking forward to being there next month and knowing Abbi is watching her mum. It also means I can give something tangible back to Friends of Anchor and ensure they provide the same quality of support to other people in the future.
“I was determined from the outset of being diagnosed that I would aim to stay positive. Even on a bad day, I got up, I got dressed, and tried to remain active. The worst days were horrible, but, hopefully, they are behind me. And now, I can properly thank all the many people who were there for me when I really needed it.”