Ref. 73008-36THE future looked bleak for Carole Dolphin not that long ago.

After six miscarriages she was diagnosed with a severe form of cancer and her husband Ray feared she was going to die.

But life has taken a definite turned for the better since then.

Her traumatic experience changed her perspective on life and now she is running the pet-sitting business she always dreamt of starting up.

And she is the proud mum of five-year-old son Tom.

Carole, 43, of Waterdown Close, Haydon Wick, was diagnosed seven years ago with a form of cancer called chorio-carsinoma caused by several miscarriages that had created internal tumours.

The diagnosis came only just in time for the disease to be treatable.

She had to undergo a four-month period of intense chemotherapy and the couple's lives were turned upside down as they had to make weekly trips to Charing Cross Hospital, near Hammersmith in London, for the high-risk therapy.

Ray, 47, the assistant manager at Crofts Sports Centre, said: "I thought I was going to lose my wife.

"You can't imagine the heartache that we both had to go through.

"She lost her hair and was hardly able to move for that whole four- month period because she felt so ill after each therapy session.

"But, if you look at us now, it is a totally different story and shows that people can get through this type of thing."

After the chemotherapy, the couple then had to wait to see if it had worked and Carole had to undergo the anxiety of regular tests.

A year after the treatment she became pregnant again and the couple faced a harrowing wait to see if this would result in the return of the cancer.

Carole said: "I still have to send samples off every six months for tests.

"But we are hopeful that it will never come back again.

"Getting cancer changed my perspective on everything.

"Beforehand, I was a dance teacher but now I've realised that life is too short. I am doing what I have always wanted to do, which is look after animals.

"Basically, I've turned my hobby into my job and I love it.

"We look after animals all across Swindon and I even housesit for some people when they're away to look after their dogs.

"It is a real success story and I could never have imagined when I was ill that I would now have a son and be doing what I really want to do."

As part of her pet-sitting service, she looks after everything from Great Danes to goldfish, chickens to stick insects.

Anyone interested in taking advantage of Carole's Dog Walking And Pet Sitting Services can contact her on 01793 702098.

Newsdesk