My name is Lisa. I have a son and a daughter, and five grandchildren. Four of my granddaughters live in London, and my grandson JJ lives here in Edinburgh.
My mum lived with me for 12 years before she passed away on 15 February 2022. At one point, my husband, mum, daughter, and grandson all lived under the same roof until I moved in July 2023.
I have a sister in Torquay and a brother in Kent. I’ve been married for 21 years this year and with my husband for 28 years in total. 
My daughter is a community nurse, my son is an excavator operator, and I worked as a social care worker for the council until I took ill-health retirement in 2023.
My cancer journey began back in 2016. I was experiencing overwhelming fatigue and felt as though I was looking through cloudy glass. I had a dull back ache that came and went, which I put down to my car seat. I was also having night sweats and occasionally noticed blood when wiping after passing urine. At the time, I assumed this was all linked to the menopause, I was 50, and didn’t think too much of it.
Eventually, I visited my GP. A urine test confirmed there was blood present, and I was sent for an ultrasound of my bladder, which came back normal. I probably wouldn’t have gone back again if it hadn’t been for my daughter, Leah, who insisted I push for answers.
Thankfully, a urology consultant, Mr Kevin O’Connor, reviewed my notes. He said that anyone over the age of 45 who sees blood in their urine should have a CT scan. That decision saved my life.
I had my scan on a Monday, and by Saturday I was already being brought back for the results. I knew then it wasn’t going to be good news. When I walked into the room, a doctor sat behind a desk with images of my scan on the computer screen, and a nurse sat beside him. My husband was with me. The doctor looked at me and said, “I’m afraid it’s not very good news.”
There was a long silence. Then he explained that I had a 10cm tumour on my left kidney, and they suspected it was cancer.
I remember hearing a humming sound getting louder and louder, and then realising it was me. I stood up and ran out of the room. The nurse tried to calm me down, but all I wanted was to get outside and phone my mum. My dad had died of cancer at 59, and I’m his double. In that moment, I truly believed I was going to die.
Eight weeks later, on 4 August 2016, I had a radical nephrectomy (removal of my left kidney). My surgeons were Mr Kevin O’Connor and Mr Alexander Laird. Shortly afterwards, Mr O’Connor returned to Ireland, and Mr Laird became my consultant going forward.
While I was recovering in hospital, James Whale MBE was in the Big Brother house and sharing his personal journey with kidney cancer. His story helped me more than I can explain – he was a walking miracle, who had lived with kidney cancer since 2000. I was deeply saddened to hear of his death at the end of 2025.
My pathology results showed Stage 2, Grade 2 RCC (Renal Cell Carcinoma), with a Leibovich score of 3. I was placed on annual scans, and for years, everything appeared to be fine.
Until August 2021.
I was told that there was something in my left lung that had been under observation. They planned to rescan me in six months. When that time came, the night before my results appointment, my family and I went out for a meal – my husband Jock, my mum Maureen, my daughter Leah, my grandson JJ, and me.
While waiting for our food, my mum suffered a massive stroke at the table. We got her onto the floor as she began convulsing. It was horrific. She was taken to the hospital under blue lights and died shortly after arrival.
The next day, still in complete shock, I was told they suspected the cancer had returned in my lung.
After further tests, I met cardiothoracic surgeon Mr Vipin Zamvar, who agreed to surgically remove the tumour along with a wedge of my lung. In April 2022, I had a VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery) lung wedge resection.
With everything going on, I never had time to grieve for my mum, and I don’t think I ever really have. I buried my emotions because I don’t think, once opened, they would ever stop.
Following surgery, I was placed on six-monthly scans.
Everything seemed stable until April 2023, when my scan showed thickening of the transverse colon. A colonoscopy was recommended. At the same time, they noted something on my AP window lymph node, located near the heart, lungs, and aorta, but decided to deal with the bowel first.
In July 2023, my colonoscopy revealed a 3cm tumour in my transverse colon. It was Stage 2, Grade 2 bowel cancer (adenocarcinoma). I named it Slippery Sue.
I met colorectal surgeon Mr Chinnappa Reddy, who performed a right extended hemicolectomy on 23 September 2023. Thankfully, the cancer hadn’t spread to any lymph nodes or blood vessels, so I didn’t require further treatment.
Once healed, I returned for a CT scan to review the AP window lymph node. Unfortunately, it had grown. I requested surgical removal and was referred back to Mr Vipin Zamvar.
He initially attempted removal via VATS, but due to scar tissue from previous surgeries, this wasn’t possible. He proceeded with a thoracotomy and successfully removed the node. It was confirmed as a second recurrence of renal cell carcinoma, removed on 3 January 2024.
This was by far the hardest recovery. I developed an infection and was readmitted to hospital. My wound had to be packed twice weekly for three months. Thanks to Mr Vipin Zamvar and the incredible nursing teams both in hospital and the community, I eventually recovered.
I remained on six-monthly scans, and still am.
In May 2025, I attended a routine mammogram and was recalled. I truly didn’t believe I could face a Third cancer, but unfortunately, I did.
Further mammograms, ultrasounds, and biopsies confirmed breast cancer. A marker clip was placed, and on 4 June 2025, I underwent a lumpectomy, followed by 15 sessions of radiotherapy. The cancer was Stage 2, Grade 2, oestrogen and progesterone positive, HER2-negative.
I was prescribed Letrozole, but I couldn’t tolerate it. The hot flushes were unbearable, alongside insomnia, joint pain, and mood swings. I decided to stop the medication and requested a double mastectomy.
Due to my breast size, my consultant, Ms Victoria Webber, recommended a staged approach. I am scheduled for a breast reduction on 5 March, and once healed, the remaining breast tissue will be removed and replaced with small implants.
I have also requested a hysterectomy and ovary removal to reduce future risk. My gynaecology consultant, Mr Chamberlain, has agreed, although due to extensive abdominal scar tissue, this surgery will require a multidisciplinary team, including a bowel surgeon.
These risk-reducing surgeries are elective decisions made by me, and I am incredibly grateful that the NHS has approved them, given my history of three separate primary cancers. 
My most recent scan, in November, showed NED (No Evidence of Disease).
I cannot put into words how thankful I am to the NHS. They have been absolutely marvellous. Now is my time to give back and to raise awareness, support others, and help or inspire anyone I possibly can.
My care team & hospitals
All of my surgeries were carried out at The Western General Hospital, Edinburgh and The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Three of my surgeons – Mr Vipin Zamvar, Mr Alexander Laird, and Mr Chinnappa Reddy – have appeared on Surgeons: At the Edge of Life. I genuinely wish I could nominate every one of them for an OBE or MBE. They saved my life and deserve the highest recognition.
