Rachel’s story started in July 2015 when she was given a diagnosis of grade 3 invasive triple negative breast cancer. From this moment on, I watched my best friend go from being gentle, laid back and care-free (well as care-free as you can be juggling being a wife, midwife and mum to two young girls!), into a strong, brave and dignified force. She battled surgery twice-for removal of the lump and then of the lymph nodes, intensive chemotherapy and then radiotherapy. She braved the side effects and strove on, supporting fellow friends who were fighting cancer too, without ever getting caught up in self-pity.
When treatment finished, Rachel remained realistic but positive for the future and normality resumed with her returning to one of her primary passions, being a midwife, but not for long.
Cruelly, it was a year to the date of her first diagnosis; a date that should have been celebratory for surviving the initial diagnosis but the cancer had returned.
Rachel threw herself in to what needed to be done and underwent a single mastectomy-she would do whatever it would take , to keep her here, with her daughters, family and friends.
But it was not over - Rachel developed a cough, which after further investigations gave her the dreaded diagnosis of lung metastases (secondary cancer) over Christmas. Sat with her consultant she was given the worst news possible. There was no cure.
Rachel truly believes in NHS. She trusts the knowledge, and treatments that her physicians have to offer but she now needs to explore any other options which are not available under NHS. Rachel knows that she isn’t looking for a cure but something to bide her more of that precious time. So we appeal to you to donate. Then just maybe, she can slow down this awful disease and gain some extra time with her family. Rachel has a fantastic network of family and friends around the world, many of whom have asked how they can help, so we are hoping this is one avenue.
By Leanne Walker