Catriona underwent surgery, which involved the removal of her left kidney, but a year later, the cancer returned
A grandmother who was initially sent home from hospital with painkillers during the Covid pandemic was diagnosed with a 4.5 kilo tumour. Catriona Tremlett, from Haslemere in Surrey, discovered she had a rare terminal cancer after her initial symptom was dismissed.
Now the 80-year-old is set to abseil from a 170-metre landmark for charity to help others in her position. Catriona’s health issues began when she experienced abdominal pain just after Christmas 2020.
The pain was so severe that she had to go to A&E. She tested positive for coronavirus and was placed on a Covid ward for a few days before being sent home with painkillers.
However, she then started vomiting and was soon back at A&E. It was then that she was diagnosed with retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma.
This is a rare malignant tumour that develops from smooth muscle in the retroperitoneum, the space behind the abdominal lining. According to charity Sarcoma UK, there are an average of just 525 cases of leiomyosarcoma diagnosed every year in England.
Surgery on her tumour took place in February 2021, which involved the removal of her left kidney. But a year later, the cancer returned.
Catriona required radiotherapy and a second operation in summer 2022. Her ordeal still wasn’t over as, in 2024, the cancer returned once more.
This time, Catriona was told her illness was terminal and received chemotherapy as a last resort, not knowing if it would work. After two sessions, the signs were good and the treatment continued.
Though the chemotherapy led to heart failure, her current condition remains stable. Catriona, who is married and has four children, two step-children and 14 grandchildren, said her family offered “fantastic” support during her illness.
“The chemotherapy gave me a little more time,” she said. “I arranged a big party with all my family and gave a farewell speech…but here I still am.”
She added: “I wasn’t fighting cancer. I always accepted the fact I had cancer and made the best of it. There was no point in becoming angry.”
Now, Catriona is fundraising for Sarcoma UK and is taking part in an abseil from the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, scheduled to take place on May 10. She said: “I wanted to do something challenging like a skydive or a wing walk but I was told I couldn’t because of the heart condition. Sarcoma is a rare cancer and Sarcoma UK is a small charity so I want to do something positive for them.”
She has been given the all-clear for the abseil. But it won’t be the first time she has taken part in such a challenge – 20 years ago she descended from the tower at Guildford Cathedral on a zip wire.
Catriona is also no stranger to heights, and as a young woman she piloted light aircraft. Sarcoma UK’s director of fundraising and communications, Kerry Reeves-Kneip, said: “Catriona’s extraordinary courage and determination exemplify the spirit we see in so many affected by sarcoma.
“Her fundraising efforts for the Spinnaker Tower abseil are really inspiring, especially considering her own health challenges. Donations like hers are vital in helping us fund groundbreaking research into new treatments, so that future patients won’t have to face the same difficult journey Catriona has experienced. We’re incredibly grateful for her support and are cheering her on for this remarkable challenge.”
Symptoms of leiomyosarcoma can vary depending on the size and location of your tumour. You may experience all, some, or none of the symptoms below before you are diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma.
A lump or swelling in the soft tissue of the body under the skin, often on the arm, leg, or trunk, that is:
- Increasing in size
- Is larger than 5cm
- Usually painful, but not always.
For uterine leiomyosarcoma, symptoms may also include:
- Vaginal bleeding post-menopause
- Vaginal bleeding between periods
- Vaginal bleeding that feels unusual to you
- Pain around the pelvis or stomach.
If you experience any unusual symptoms you should speak to your GP. To sponsor Catriona, visit justgiving.com/page/catriona-tremlett-2.