Cancer survivor finally given the all-clear after five years

Sylvia MacLeod, 65, has been through a hugely traumatic time after being diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016.

She suffered a delayed reaction to intensive treatment and then two years ago she was stricken by life-threatening sepsis.

She says she is delighted to have made it through.

Sylvia told our sister title The Greenock Telegraph: "It has been the news we were hoping for.

"It's been difficult - the treatment itself was actually okay for me, but after it was over I had a delayed reaction.

"I fell very ill for about eight months.

"It's been an ongoing thing - I've had good days and bad days as a result of the treatment."

Brave Sylvia underwent no fewer than 30 doses of radiotherapy over six weeks, plus five doses of chemotherapy over a five week period and four doses of internal radiation therapy over two days.

She said: "I feel lucky to be here."

Sylvia, who is married to Port councillor Jim MacLeod, feels her positive attitude to life has helped her, as well as the love and support of her husband, family and friends.

She said: "I'm the type of person who has the attitude of 'just get on with it'.

"I just feel there's no point moaning about things."

Two years ago Sylvia contracted sepsis and this floored her, but doctors still don't know how she got it.

Sylvia had been feeling unwell prior to the diagnosis but put it down to the effects of her cancer treatment.

She said: "My hand was swollen and my face was purple and I was unresponsive.

“Jim called an ambulance and I woke up in hospital.

"I remember being terrified but the staff were fantastic."

At first it was thought she had a chest infection and Sylvia was set to be discharged after a week in Inverclyde Royal.

But Jim insisted on an MRI scan and that was when it was discovered Sylvia had sepsis in her hips and spine.

He said: "I was frightened the cancer may have come back - that's why I asked for an MRI.

"Sylvia spent 10 weeks in hospital on intravenous antibiotics and for four months afterwards she was taking oral antibiotics."

Sylvia was cared for under the auspices of infection control at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow and admits she had dark moments where she feared the worst.

She said: "I thought to myself 'I can't go'.

"I was worried about Jim.

"The sepsis was worse than the effects of the cancer treatment.

"My hair fell out in clumps, which never happened with the chemotherapy, and I was really ill - I couldn't stand on my own two feet."

Jim has had his own serious health issues to contend with and was bedbound for over a year.

Now the couple finally have a reason to celebrate after Sylvia got the all-clear from cancer medics.

Jim said: "It's fantastic, I can't begin to describe the weight that has been lifted from me.

"I am a worrier and I've been so concerned about Sylvia over the last five years."

Sylvia says she hopes to get the message across that people can survive cancer.

She said: "It's not always a death sentence.

"If detected early enough people can survive.

"I would urge women if they have any symptoms such as soreness or bleeding to get checked out and not to miss smear test appointments when they are asked to go for one."

The devoted pair are now looking forward to happier times and perhaps booking a cruise next year.

Sylvia said: "I am hoping that everything starts to get better this year and I am able to do the normal things I used to do."

Sylvia and Jim want to thank their family and friends, particularly Trisha and Billy Elder, Cathy Sweeney, Margaret Ann Henry, Jim's cousin Craig and everyone else who helped them during the difficult journey when Sylvia was undergoing treatment for cancer and sepsis.

They also want to thank all the staff at the Beatson, Inverclyde Royal and Royal Alexandra in Paisley.