The Future is Rosie

In her poignant memoir, Carolyn describes the heartbreak of losing a child, and how she and her family dealt with unimaginable loss and learned to live again. Married with two daughters, Ellie aged 14 and Rosie 11, Carolyn was teaching at Redroofs School for the Performing Arts when Rosie suddenly developed vasculitis, a rare auto immune disease. Rosie spent many months in hospital undergoing tests, scans and operations whilst her family were worried sick and traumatised by the lack of support for parents in their situation. Rosie's tragic death six months later compelled Carolyn to set-up Rosie's Rainbow Fund in her memory and to honour Rosie's wish to help other sick children. The charity has achieved major success bringing music therapy to thousands of sick children in hospital, care for parents with hospitalised children and ongoing support for bereaved parents. As a believer in spirituality, Carolyn felt that Rosie was sending messages and helping her through her grief. Predictions given to Carolyn previously that her destiny was to have another child, and with Rosie's blessing, Carolyn and her husband embarked upon a five-year programme of fertility treatment. Carolyn describes in intimate detail all the processes, procedures and disappointments she experienced. Finally, at 54 years of age and through IVF and a donor egg Carolyn gave birth to their son Dominic and a brother for Ellie. After a painful divorce Carolyn discovered a breast lump in 2016 and following a diagnosis of cancer had to undergo a mastectomy. She chronicles the gruelling regime of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the caring medical staff and inspiring patients that helped her through this frightening chapter. However, the rollercoaster of life and death hadn't finished with her yet...