Rowena's diagnosis was shattering. She had just moved into a beautiful thatched cottage in Monxton and was starting a new chapter in her life, she had never been happier. The pain she was experiencing in her hip was so intense that she took herself to A&E. She learned within hours that she had secondary bone and brain cancer and the cause was non-smokers lung cancer.

She didn't want to know how long she had left or be defined by her diagnosis. Instead she took every day as it came still finding fun and laughing irreverently at life's ups and downs. Celia was by her side from day one, first to support her and later to care for her. But most of all she helped Rowena to live whilst dying. The illness did not deter them from travel and their USA road trip (picture above at the Grand Canyon) and their last European adventure made Rowena incredibly happy. She was equally proud of Tom and more than anything wanted to be part of their lives as long as possible. I will never forget her as a friend, she was the best.

A lot of care, support and help is needed along the way after a lung cancer diagnosis particularly toward the end of life. If we can help another family cope it would be a great way to remember Rowena.