A Scottish Gem

This is a compelling, true story of Carole, a courageous young mother, often compared to a Scottish Gem.
Despite the scars of childhood trauma triggered by their embittered, single-parenting mother, Carole eventually gives in to marrying her Prince Charming Richard aka Dick, giving birth to Kristy and Joseph, and moving into her dream house to live “happily ever after," or so she thought.
On December 24, 1999, Dick shatters Carole’s world by telling her that he has a girlfriend and wants a divorce. Months later, tests about a lump in her breast go from “there is nothing to worry about” to “I need your permission to remove your right breast” marks the beginning of an unimaginable emotional roller coaster for many years to come. Carole makes the hard decision to keep it a secret from anyone for as long as she can.
Cancer might stop some people in their tracks, but not Carole. Despite the cruel reality, her zest for life, wit, determination, and with the help of her family and friends who are playing a tremendous part in her amazing life, she never loses sight of the big picture. Carole takes flying lessons and even decides to pick up rock climbing. Then, she receives great news to be cancer-free.
Carole faces another challenge by climbing the famous Matterhorn in Switzerland only to have to give up halfway through because of dangerous weather conditions. In 2002, on a blind date, Carole meets the love of her life and soul mate Sean, an American Sergeant with Scottish roots. Wasting no precious time and despite some immigration issues, Carole and Sean marry at two different weddings in Scotland and eventually move to Long Island, NY. The kids adjust well but Carole struggles with her new lifestyle, his mother living in the same house, and the daily visits of his sister.
Her cancer comes back with a vengeance. She still doesn't dare to include her family. In defiance of that demon invading her body, Carole becomes her advocate by spending endless hours weeding through the Internet on metastatic breast cancer and alternative cancer treatments. Her illness leaves more and more visible marks, and Carole has no other choice but to confess her battle with cancer.
She participates in Breast Cancer Walks on Long Island and discovers a promising possible cure that still needs a lot of development. Cancer and cruel side effects from chemo and radiation don’t prevent Carole and her family from taking several trips. The hardest part is to lose her beautiful red locks, but Carole eventually makes peace by calling her newest wig “my new best friend Alicia."
In 2007, Astor Memorial Cancer Center, New York City, shatters Carole’s world by telling her that they stop all treatments. Devastated but not defeated, Carole seeks solace at the Padre Pio Centre in Pennsylvania, determined to receive the same miracle as people before her. Sean struggles with the thought of having to live without Carole by his side. Eventually, they find new hope at the T. Webb Cancer Treatment Centers, Philadelphia. After several tests, the doctors give Carole an eighty percent chance of recovery! After a promising start in treatments, Carole is the “Thousand to one chance” patient whose respiratory system is severely affected by the treatments. Despite her fighting spirit and being surrounded by so much love and support, Carole passes into eternal life on June 1, 2008.