The heartbroken mother of a teacher who died after being flown back to the UK when she contracted E.coli in Turkey has paid tribute to her “wonderful daughter”.
Caroline Hope, 37, had been undergoing cancer treatment at a Turkish hospital when she became infected.
She was taken to Glasgow by private plane last month after campaigners raised thousands of pounds for a medical evacuation.
But Ms Hope died in hospital on Sunday, two months after picking up the infection abroad.
She had been working as a teacher at an international school in Turkey when she was diagnosed with late-stage colon cancer in January.
She had planned to return to Scotland and her employer had taken out medical insurance to cover her stay at the Medical Park Hospital in Izmir until the end of July.
However, she became critically ill after contracting E.coli during an operation to remove a tumour.
And the 37-year-old lost her battle for life on Sunday, surrounded by her closest friends.
Her mother, Catherine Hope, has now told of her daughter’s bravery in her final days in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
Ms Hope, from Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, said: “I never thought I would be in this situation. You always think you’ll go before your children.
“I just missed her passing – the taxi driver should have got a medal – but I cuddled her. She was still warm.
“She was such a wonderful daughter, I never had any trouble with her. She never disappointed me. Any time I wanted something done she would say ‘leave it to me, mum’.”
Jade Baumer has been best friends with Caroline since they were six years old, having grown up next door to each other.
The flight attendant, who now lives in London, told of the fun-filled memories she shared with the teacher and how she will be remembered for her wit, fun personality and, most of all, her loyalty.
She said: “She was such a bright, bubbly character. She was the kind of girl to light up a room. We were like sisters.
“She would do anything for her friends, she was always there.”
Caroline was diagnosed with colon cancer in January and had underwent treatment to cure the disease.
But things took a turn for the worse when she returned to hospital for one final treatment before planning to return home to Scotland permanently.
Caroline contracted E.coli and a further treatment to rid her body of the disease resulted in a ruptured bowel.
Speaking of her daughter’s diagnosis, Catherine said: “She said she got a fright, but she was so positive.”
Jade added: “She never showed any fear or worry. She was determined she was going to beat it.”
The family embarked on a mission to raise the eye-watering £29,000 to bring her home - and the target was smashed with £32,420 being raised within days.
She was flown home in a private plane on July 10 and was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University hospital in Glasgow where she remained until her death.
The family expressed their thanks to the staff at the hospital for their “incredible care” during Caroline’s treatment and those who donated to help bring her home.
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