Health

Carol’s Health

In October 2004, at just 26 years old, Carol was diagnosed with Stage 2A Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Since then, she has undergone a range of intensive treatments—an experience that not only shaped her resilience but also explains the variety of hairstyles seen across this website.

Her treatment began with a demanding six-month course of ABVD chemotherapy—a combination of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine. The rigorous schedule involved 12 treatments, administered biweekly, each leaving a significant physical toll. Despite the challenges, Carol continued to meet life and music with determination and strength, a spirit that continues to define both her personal and professional journey.

Unfortunately, the initial treatment wasn’t fully effective, and Carol had to undergo more aggressive high-dose chemotherapy – first ESHAP (etoposide, methylprednisolone, cytarabine, cisplatin), followed by BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan), culminating in a stem cell transplant in September 2005. Her own stem cells were harvested from her blood and preserved until she entered isolation at Hope Hospital. Preparing to spend up to six weeks confined in a small, sterile environment was a surreal experience, but Carol defied expectations – discharged after just eight nights, she set a new recovery record, once again showing her extraordinary strength and determination.

Following this treatment, Carol experienced a period of limited mobility and was wheelchair-bound for some time. Gradually, she regained some strength, but further scans brought more challenging news. The tumours in her neck and between her lungs had not been fully eradicated, leading to her transfer to The Christie Hospital – the world’s largest specialist cancer centre and clinical trial facility. Just before Christmas 2005, Carol underwent an intense three-week course of radiotherapy to her chest, after consultations with leading lung specialists in London. Although the treatment significantly reduced her lung capacity, Carol faced this setback with courage, accepting that when confronting a life-threatening illness, personal health must take precedence over career ambitions.

Despite her determined fight, the tumours remained active after radiotherapy. In June 2006, Carol enrolled in a groundbreaking clinical trial for an experimental antibody therapy (Medarex anti-CD30 ) designed specifically for Hodgkin’s disease. She was the 22nd patient worldwide, the second in the UK, and notably the first to complete the full three-month course of 12 treatments and show a positive response. Although subsequent PET scans revealed that the tumours in her neck and between her lungs remained active, they had significantly reduced in size. This allowed Carol a treatment hiatus while specialists maintained close surveillance. The trial ultimately enrolled 78 patients globally and succeeded in stabilising Hodgkin’s disease in a number of cases, marking an important advancement in the fight against this illness.

She was the 22nd person in the world to try this drug, the 2nd in the UK, and the first to complete the 3 month course of 12 treatments and respond to it!

By 2009, the tumours had begun to grow again, prompting Carol to pursue another cutting-edge treatment between her demanding tours with Seal and Sting. She enrolled in a trial for CHT25, an innovative antibody therapy conjugated with radioactive iodine. This treatment specifically targets the CD25 proteins expressed on tumour cells, delivering radiation directly to the cancerous tissue. As part of the protocol, Carol spent eight days isolated in a lead-lined room at the Royal Free Hospital, with no human contact due to the radioactivity she emitted. On her first day, a Geiger counter reading of 65 (compared to a typical 0.03 for a non-radioactive person) starkly illustrated the intensity of the treatment she was undergoing.

Early indications showed that Carol responded to the treatment, though the effect was limited. She then underwent four months of Gemcitabine chemotherapy, which also elicited some positive response. While continuing her global tour with Seal, Carol began a course of an experimental drug called SGN-35. After the fourth dose, a PET scan revealed that she had achieved metabolic remission—a significant milestone. This drug, now known as Adcetris (Brentuximab Vedotin), has since been FDA-approved, marking a major breakthrough in cancer therapy.

Following two additional doses, efforts were underway to find a suitable donor for a bone marrow transplant. A perfect 12/12 match was identified on the Anthony Nolan Register – a 43-year-old man from Germany. Understanding that remission might be temporary, Carol was advised to proceed with the transplant promptly. Encouragingly, tests showed she had regained lung capacity lost during earlier radiotherapy, a vital factor for her eligibility.

Despite the risks and intensity of the procedure, Carol began the rigorous chemotherapy regimen in September 2011. She received her donor’s stem cells on 21st September 2011 and has since maintained consistently clear scan results, a testament to her remarkable resilience and the advances in modern medicine.

It took over two years after the transplant for Carol’s blood type to fully convert to that of her donor, during which time she required blood transfusions every two weeks, alongside additional chemotherapy, biopsies, and numerous medical tests. Ultimately, her treatment journey reached its conclusion, with her DNA now fully aligned with her donor’s.

Throughout the nine years of her treatment, Carol remained actively involved with various cancer charities and strived to maintain as normal a life as possible. Reflecting on this, she shares, “Normality becomes a lifeline when you’re faced with the darkest prognosis. Even my specialists agreed that staying engaged and living fully was essential.”

Carol had the profound privilege of meeting her bone marrow donor, Thomas, in person – an emotional moment to express her gratitude for the gift that saved her life. Today, she embraces a vibrant life free from cancer.

Inspired by her remarkable journey, Carol has shared her story worldwide, delivering powerful talks from Boston to Singapore, Brazil to Croatia. She speaks candidly about confronting fear, defying statistics, and overcoming immense odds. Her impact is reflected in honors such as having a school class in London named after her, being invited to serve as Patron of a charity choir, and having musical compositions dedicated to her courageous journey.

You can also follow Carol’s personal reflections and experiences throughout her bone marrow transplant in her blog here:

CARING BRIDGE JOURNAL

If you would like Carol to speak at your event or conference, please visit her Inspirational Speaker website here:

INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER

You can also watch a documentary about Carol’s journey here: