A cancer diagnosis can be hard to come to terms with, no more so than when it comes out of the blue.
For Pat Smith, it became all encompassing, trampling and halting every other part of her life for almost two years as she battled against it.
It took dedicated doctors and nurses, the support of her family and an inspiring charity to help her through the worst days.
Now the 62-year-old medical receptionist, from the Rosehill area of Aberdeen, says an incredible opportunity to celebrate her courage and those of others who have fought cancer is helping her to move on with life.
She will become a fashion model for the weekend, alongside a line-up of women from across the north-east, for Courage on the Catwalk.
The fashion show is being held in aid of the Friends of Anchor charity, an organisation that supports those going through cancer and haematology care at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Mrs Smith says she had no idea she would be selected to become a participant until a phone call at the end of March revealed the good news.
Her daughter Rachel had submitted an application on her behalf and she will now play a central role in the fundraising event, which takes place at the Beach Ballroom on May 12 and 13.
Mrs Smith said: “It was a total surprise when I got the call.
“Courage on the Catwalk is picking me back up after being quite down, which is why I think Rachel really wanted me to get involved.
“It has given me a push to just get on with life.”
Mrs Smith was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in December 2015 following a routine mammogram.
The scan detected a deep-tissue tumour, which was removed via a lumpectomy, but that was only the beginning.
Following the surgery, Mrs Smith endured six rounds of chemotherapy, three weeks of radiotherapy and then 18 months of Herceptin injections.
She admitted: “Treatment isn’t easy and it can take up a large part of your life.
“For me, it was 22 months from the day of diagnosis to the day of discharge.”
When that day finally came, Mrs Smith celebrated by hugging her consultant Dr Trevor McGoldrick from the Anchor Unit.
She said the support of Dr McGoldrick and the rest of the team in the unit at ARI had helped her to push through the worst days of her cancer journey.
Mrs Smith said: “He was wonderful. Everyone in the Anchor Unit was.
“It’s hard to find the words to explain what a difference it makes being there.
“Everyone, from the doctors and nurses to the wellbeing team, is just lovely.
“As the weeks go on they get to know you and it feels more like a social gathering than anything else. It’s such a positive and cheery environment.”
Mrs Smith said she can’t wait to take part in this year’s Courage on the Catwalk, which her daughter Rachel believes has helped her mother “regain confidence in herself and feel empowered.”
She added: “I’m looking forward to being a model for the weekend – being styled and professionally made up.
“I’ll be out of my comfort zone, but that’s not a bad thing.
“Before this, I went to work, came home and did not want to socialise.
“This is helping me meet the world again and I just love it.”
