Making memories for Rachel and her family

This page was created for Rachel and her family by all Rachel’s family , extended family and friends to help them make as many memories as they can without the added financial strain.

These words where written by Rachel’s sister Sandra and when reading this touching tribute to Rachel we can only imagine how difficult it was for Sandra to write

This is Rachel, shortly after her 40th birthday in 2016 she found a lump behind her ear and after a biopsy she was told the devastating news it was stage 3 melanoma.

Rachel underwent surgery to remove the lump and 6 months of intense chemotherapy in st James hospital followed, she was so happy to be then given the all clear.

Sadly in 2017 Rachel noticed another lump, in her neck this time, and after a biopsy revealed melanoma again she had to endure a neck dissection which included the removal of 50 lymph nodes of which 5 where cancerous. She then had to do 28sessions of radiotherapy at St Luke’s hospital before getting the All clear again. Sadly the happiness didn’t last long as a CT scan in 2018 showed the melanoma was now in her parotid gland , so Another surgery followed and after 20 sessions of immunotherapy ipi/Nivo in 2020/2021 she was again knocked back and told the melanoma was now in her lungs and liver , she now had to stop immunotherapy and targeted therapy started in 2022. Unfortunately it was a real struggle to find a treatment that suited Rachel’s body but eventually it seemed the chemo tablets where the fit for her until a CT scan showed that the melanoma had now travelled to her brain. And after just a-few weeks it seemed that they had doubled in size. The oncologist called Rachel in to tell her the devastating news that due to the rapid speed of progression unfortunately there is nothing more they can do for her and she must now prepare her family and friends.

Rachel is a young mother to a son Hayden and loving wife to the most supportive husband David and anyone who is lucky enough to know her knows she is the most genuine, loving, caring and positive person. She literally lights up a room wit her presence and smile. Not to mention her singing. Even through all the pain and suffering she has endured these last 6 years she has always worried about everyone else and how we where all coping.

Nothing can take away this horrendous disease and the heartbreak and pain that is ripping through our family but we are trying our best to fulfill her wish of making as many memories together as we can and letting her experience all the things she always wanted to experience.

So it is with deep sadness that I am asking for donations towards making memories we can share together and have forever in our hearts and also to help support David and Hayden for their futures.