Motherwell teacher returns to school along with neurosurgeon who saved her life
A primary school teacher of nearly 25 years has thanked her neurosurgeon, and over 600 pupils at her North Lanarkshire school for saving her life.
This week, Julie McCarthy visited the school in Motherwell with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde neurosurgeon Roddy O'Kane as part of a special assembly to do this in person.
Julie, 51, suffered a seizure while driving in February 2023, shortly after dropping her son at work. Her car crashed onto a roundabout, and she awoke surrounded by paramedics.
She was rushed to Wishaw University Hospital, where scans revealed a brain tumour.
Julie was then referred to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where she met Mr O'Kane.
'Meeting Roddy was surreal,' Julie recalled. 'Even though I was receiving devastating news, I felt an odd sense of clarity, like life was giving me a wake-up call. Roddy was incredible.
"I immediately felt safe in his care. After he explained everything, we even shared a laugh. I started to feel lucky. I was lucky that the tumour had been found and that I had a chance to fight it.'
Julie's surgery was initially scheduled for June 2024, with regular scans in the meantime. But one scan showed changes in the tumour.
'Roddy reassured me it wasn't time to panic, but he wanted to operate sooner rather than later.'
Julie had to step away from her beloved Primary 6 class. The school community was informed of her condition, and teachers shared that her surgery would be performed by Mr O'Kane, who has a unique pre-surgery ritual. He plays AC/DC's Thunderstruck and rocks out before entering the operating theatre.
On the morning of Julie's surgery, at 9.30am, more than 600 pupils gathered in the school assembly hall. With air guitars in hand, they blasted Thunderstruck and shouted 'THUNDER!' in unison - sending a wave of positive energy to their much-loved teacher.
Julie and Mr O'Kane returned to Cathedral Primary for a special assembly to thank the pupils and staff and, of course, to rock out once more.
'When I saw the video after surgery, I was overwhelmed,' Julie said. 'Their energy, their joy. It lifted me. I truly felt their love.
"Just the day before my accident, I had made them a huge poster with the Memorare prayer. They thought it was impossible to learn, but they said it every day. I believe their prayers and positivity helped carry me through.'
Thanks to the skill of Mr O'Kane and his team, over 95% of Julie's tumour was successfully removed.
'Roddy told me that when they operated, they discovered it was a Glioblastoma Stage 4.
'I'm so grateful for the exceptional care I received before, during, and after surgery.
'Roddy and the entire team were phenomenal' she said.
Before Julie underwent her treatment post-surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, she visited the school to get the 'ultimate power boost!'. She said:
'600 cuddles filled with joy and happiness. Going to see the kids was going to my happy place.'
Although Julie has now retired from teaching, her bond with the school remains unbreakable. She will continue to volunteer and work with the children.
'This school has been my life,' she said. 'I trained here, my three children went here, and I've watched so many pupils grow and thrive. I'm deeply thankful to the staff, the children, and my medical team at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and The Beatson. You're all truly remarkable.'
Cathedral Primary's headteacher, Graeme Young added: 'The children light up when Julie is around. We're so grateful to the doctors and nurses who helped her. Julie has been a cornerstone of this school, especially as we celebrate our 150th anniversary. She's helped bring that history to life for our pupils.'
Mr O'Kane also shared his appreciation.
He added: 'When Julie showed me the video of the kids rocking out, I was nearly in tears.
"The support from the school has been incredible. Thank you to everyone for your positivity. And, who knows, maybe we've inspired a few future neurosurgeons!'
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