In Memory of Rachel

Hello, My name is Samantha and I’m fundraising for my beautiful friend Rachel.

Rachel is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. She is a Mum of two beautiful children, Joanna (13) and Alex (11). She’s also living with cancer.

On the 28th of December 2020 at the age of 39, Rachel was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer - metastatic to the spine.

Soon after her diagnosis, Rachel started on a treatment called 'Palbociclib' to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and monthly injections to force her into early menopause. This was an attempt to control and starve the cancer. She stayed on this treatment for 18 months till it stopped working.

In May 2021, cancer was discovered in Rachel’s left femur. A 30cm piece of metal was put inside her femur to strengthen the bone. The cancer was surgically removed with success, but Rachel had to learn to walk again.

After her surgery she continued to fight the other cancer in her body, and despite everything she was going through, she still managed to find the time to advocate for young women with breast cancer, with a charity called 'SO BRAVE'. A charity which advocates for early and correct diagnosis, as key to saving lives, erasing long held views even in the medical world that some woman are just too young to have breast cancer.

Rachel talking at a local high school.

Rachel hasn’t been able to work since late 2021 due to the immense amount of pain she was in and because of the high amount of pain medication she’d been prescribed. Her husband James also had to leave his job to be her full time carer as Rachel had trouble with day to day living and was unable to drive. This was a financially difficult choice, but a necessary one with 2 young kids.

In December 2022, Rachel commenced on 3 months of oral chemotherapy. Unfortunately, this treatment didn't work either.

Running out of options, it was then that Rachel decided to have a single mastectomy - this surgery was done in April 2023. Her oncologist was confident that all of the primary cancer in her breast was gone, and she was left with 1 spot on her lower spine, and 1 on her pelvic bone. The plan was to have Radiation on those two spots.

Rachel after her Mastectomy - April 2023

As soon as Rachel had healed from her surgery, she had an MRI to confirm where she was to have radiation. This MRI didn't give her the results she expected, as the report said that she had 10-15 spots on her spine. Rachel didn't believe it, and so she had a PET scan which sadly confirmed the MRI results. The MRI also showed activity in the right side of her chest, near to where she had her mastectomy. In July 2023 Rachel had Radiation to the two biggest spots (1 on the lower spine and 1 on her pelvic bone). At this time, Rachel also applied for and was waiting to be accepted into a trial in Adelaide. Whilst waiting to hear about the trial, the cancer continued to grow.

Just after her 42nd birthday in early September 2023, Rachel had another PET scan and received the news that not only had her cancer multiplied on her spine, it had also spread to other parts of her body. The cancer was now on her chest wall, ribs, right femur and 2 spots on her liver. After this news, it was decided that Rachel would start IV chemotherapy.

Rachel had always wanted to do a road trip with her family and knowing that she may never be a ‘grey’ nomad, the family decided that a camper trailer road trip would be a good family holiday. Rachel has family in the Hunter Coast, so after talking with her Oncologist she was able to get a referral to start IV Chemotherapy interstate. On the 26th of September 2023, Rachel and her family packed up the camper trailer and headed south towards the Hunter Coast (NSW) and have so far been making happy family memories along the way.

Upon arrival the Oncologist in NSW ordered lots of scans. Unfortunately they showed what Rachel was not expecting, the cancer had spread to the lining of her brain and there were now multiple spots on her liver (along with all the known cancer in her spine and other bones). The cancer is now life threatening.

Rachel commenced weekly IV chemotherapy on the 7th of November, and on the 4th of December she commenced 5 days of radiation to the lining of her brain.

She won’t know until late January if the chemotherapy and/ or radiation have / or haven’t worked.

Throughout her journey, Rachel has been in a lot of pain and has a lot of strong pain medication to get her through each day. This causes her to get tired very easily. Despite all the pain and side effects from medication, Rachel is simply amazing, a resilient and steadfast Woman who is an inspiration to so many facing their darkest moments.

Rachel doesn't know where this journey will take her, but as her friend, I would like to help make it a memorable, enjoyable and less stressful one. Not having to worry about money would really help ease the burden but also lighten up this year’s Christmas for her family as expenses begin to pile up. Unfortunately this Christmas could potentially be her last Christmas. This is also an opportunity for others to contribute in a way they know how and to let Rachel know they are behind her all the way.

If you have anything to spare, I would be so grateful.

Thank you XOXO