An SNP MSP who battled breast cancer has received the all clear from ‘amazing’ nurses who helped with her recovery.
Christina McKelvie was given her diagnosis in January last year and had her first operation just weeks later.
McKelvie announced in February she would be stepping aside from her role as minister for equalities and older people for a “short time” for treatment for a then undisclosed medical condition.
The MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse prepared to return to work at the Scottish Parliament soon after, as she’d completed her treatment.
And on Thursday the 54-year-old announced she’s ‘got the all clear’ following a mammogram.
Posting on social media, she wrote: “A wee bit of personal news today, my cancer care nurse called just after 5pm to tell me that I’ve got the all clear following my mammogram this morning and they will see me next year.
“The breast cancer nurses are absolutely amazing, I could never thank them enough for all they do.”
A plethora of ‘delighted’ Scots politicians came together to congratulate McKelvie.
Fellow SNP MSP Shona Robsison wrote: “Fantastic news, Christina.”
Former Scottish Health Seretary Jeane Freeman posted: “Brilliant news.
“Delighted for you.”
Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman commented with three red hearts under McKelvie’s post.
Meanwhile the current Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf, wrote: “So happy for you, Christina, wonderful news.”
McKelvie paid tribute to the NHS in February.
She said: “The health service pick you up and carry you through and I could not fault any step in my treatment programme.
“Any questions I had, any concerns I had – knowing it was all in safe hands was very helpful at a time in your life when you’re facing your mortality, and you’re wondering what’s going to happen to yourself and your family.”
She added: “I think I’ll focus on the positives of getting back through that door, and knowing there’ll be smiles, hugs and tears – usually from me.
“It’s not the worry about stepping back in but the welcome I’ll get, and I will give other people, because I’m desperate to see them again.
“I love hugs.
“And during this whole process that’s been difficult because of Covid I’ve have to protect myself.
“But I’m now quadruple vaccinated so I will be looking for some proper hugging from some of my pals, because it’s been a long time.”
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