When Heather Moir went to the doctor to get her jabs for a trip to Thailand, she had no idea it would save her life.
The mother-of-two had noticed a pea-sized lump on her neck, but had been told it was most likely a bug when she went to get it checked out.
Yet when she went to get her holiday injections a couple of months later, concerned doctors could see she was struggling to breathe so took bloods instead.
And when she began suffering chest pains and a “racing heart”, she was admitted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary – where medics broke the news she either had cancer, or a hormone imbalance.
Further tests showed Ms Moir had a lump the size of an orange pressing down on her spine, and she was diagnosed with stage four non-hodgkins lymphoma.
“I was told that it was aggressive and moving quickly”, said Ms Moir, who was diagnosed around her 51st birthday.
She was then hit with another blow, when X-rays and scans showed shadowing on her gums. She was told the dentist had 24 hours to get her teeth out, or she would risk suffocating to death.
“The teeth was a hard struggle,” Ms Moir said.
“I remember lying on the bed and crying so much.
“I was on a drip so every 20 minutes I would run to the bathroom and all I saw in the mirror was the blood and teeth.
“They said the chemo would cause my throat to swell up. I had my teeth out on the Tuesday and was having chemo by Thursday.”
Shortly after being allowed home to Bridge of Don, where she lives with partner Mark Knowles, she began suffering fits and struggling with her sight.
She was rushed back to hospital, where Mr Knowles and frantic daughter Louise, 29, son Scott, 26, and mum Violet Swanson, 82, were told to prepare for the worst.
“I couldn’t see and was in intensive care,” said Ms Moir.
“My family were told that I wouldn’t pull through.
“I had a reaction to the antibodies which caused my brain to swell up and my memory was gone.
“I knew my date of birth, but I thought we were in 1930.”
Miraculously, Ms Moir pulled through and fought hard to recover, first using a zimmer to crutches to get back on her feet.
And although this time last year she was unable to walk, she is preparing to take to the catwalk next month to show charity supporters just how far she has come since her diagnosis in 2015.
Looking back, Ms Moir – who is a customer services planner for Viking Lifesaving – said: “It was hard on the kids, and Mark took great care of the house.
“My legs still get sore and I’m back at work but it is tiring – but this time last year I couldn’t walk.”
She said her ordeal had brought her closer to her children, and made her “appreciate life” more.
Next month, Ms Moir will join 23 other brave women for Courage on the Catwalk at the Beach Ballroom, to raise vital funds for Friends of Anchor.
Encouraged by her family to take part in the event, Ms Moir is now looking forward to the big day.
“I’m glad I get to meet people and speak about life,” she said. “It is exciting, I’m looking forward to it and will really miss the rehearsals.
“I was still young and not ready to go.
“I would lie in bed with Louise and her two boys. Having a hard time makes you cherish moments like that more.”
