A teacher whose mystery cough was diagnosed as ‘terminal’ cancer has lived to see remission.

Gillian Rackley, 54, from Reading, has celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary and her daughter graduate university despite being told she was going to die six years ago.

Aged 48, she had been picking up all manner of coughs, flus and pains before she went to a doctor, who thought her symptoms were post-viral fatigue.

But after an MRI scan in August 2017, Gillian was told she had bone cancer and she wasn’t going to make it.

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“I was told this on day three of being in hospital without anyone I knew with me. Kevin [my husband] was a three-hour car drive away on business; we really had not expected this as a diagnosis.”

The source of the cancer was somewhere else in Gillian’s body, and doctors were struggling to locate it until a consultant discovered she had leukaemia.

“Kevin and I looked at each other and both asked at the same time if it was curable.

“‘That’s our aim’, was the response. We actually smiled at each other and said, ‘Let’s get on with it then’.

“I think the consultant was a little surprised, but after the first terminal cancer diagnosis we had some real hope.”

Reading Chronicle: Gillian and her family celebrate her daughter's graduationGillian and her family celebrate her daughter's graduation (Image: SPOT leukaemia)

Gillian underwent what she called a ‘flurry of medical intervention’ for five months, including a ‘very unpleasant’ bone marrow biopsy, a PICC line, stem cell transplant and chemotherapy.

“I was very deconditioned after being in hospital for so long and had lost a lot of weight.

“I also had problems with the ligaments in my foot and a shoulder issue. It took about another five months after discharge to actually feel human again.”

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She was discharged at her last appointment at the SCT clinic this year.

“Last year my husband, who was my rock through it all, and I celebrated our 25th Wedding anniversary - it's amazing how after everything we have been through such an anniversary became so important and very emotional.

“So, thanks to the amazing team at the RBH who got me into remission and looked after me for the best part of six months in hospital and the team at the Churchill for my SCT, I have been there for so many important life events and I can't thank them enough.”

“Also the advice books that Leukaemia Care produces were invaluable to help me understand everything. 

“SPOT Leukaemia is very important so that survival rates for AML improve and others survive to enjoy their lives and be there for the ones who love them."