The daughter of an Anglesey woman who was diagnosed with 12 secondary tumours, has raised thousands of pounds for the cancer unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd that treated her beloved mum.

 

In 2019, Suzie Roscoe’s mum, Judy Tideswell, was diagnosed with something called “Cancer of Unknown Primary” after discovering multiple secondary tumours.

Ever since, “Mamma Warrior” as Suzie now calls her has been receiving what she describes as “amazing care”, and immunotherapy, via the Alaw Unit, at Ysbyty Gwynedd, more recently undergoing radiotherapy at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

Suzie, who lives in Cheshire, said: “Despite the ongoing pandemic, the Alaw unit has continued to do what they do best; always with great care, humour and true professionalism, for which our family is so very grateful.”

Retired teacher Mrs Tideswell, who lives in Rhosybol, near Amlwch, found her first lump when having a shower, and another two were soon found. She had just returned from holidaying in New Zealand.

“Within an hour I saw my GP, I think so quickly because my family have a history of cancer I’ve lost my parents and sister to cancer, the latter just six months before my own diagnosis,” said Mrs Tideswell, who is a Welsh speaker.

The 70-year-old continued: “This was in May 2019 and by July I was receiving treatment at Ysbyty Gwynedd.

“It is very odd that the primary cancer has never been found but I’ve got my head around it now, and at present I’m very thankful to say there is no sign of cancer.”

She added: “I would just like to say how wonderful the treatment has been at Alaw Ward, how amazing the staff has been especially my oncologist Dr Mullard, she’s just brilliant.

“All throughout this challenging time I’ve just managed to keep calm and just get on with it, but thankfully I’ve never felt really that poorly.”

Suzie, wanted to find a challenge that would reflect her mother’s courage and positive determinism.

“When I was scouring for challenges, I came across the Ring O’Fire Challenge – a coastal ultra marathon which takes runners on an extraordinary 135 mile journey around the Isle of Anglesey,” explained the 41-year-old.

The epic foot race is staged over three consecutive days and follows the rugged and spectacular Anglesey Coastal Path (4,000m elevation).

In September 2021, 92 people set off and 40 finished. Suzie was one of just five women to finish, completing the challenge in just under 35 hours. Having clocked up a total of 2,000 of training miles in 2021, she raised an £6,604.46 for the Alaw Unit.

“It was a really, really tough challenge and for some reason I just couldn’t eat during the race which didn’t help but what always spurred me on was the thought of my mother and what she had and has been going through,” said Suzie, who works for the Department of Health, and recently been awarded a doctorate.

“When I got over the line at the end and I saw my mother there waiting for me, we both had tears running down our faces,” said Suzie.

“I’m so very proud of my daughter, and I’d like to thank everyone who donated to Suzie’s appeal,” said Mrs Tideswell.

“Including my community of Rhosybol, who helped raise money and who have been keeping an eye on me, I’m very lucky.”

Photo: Suzie Roscoe and her mum Judy Tideswell