Whilst I was promoting the first fundraising book Beating Bowel Cancer, I came across a wonderful blog, 60 Postcards, written by the quite remarkable Rachael Chadwick. The blog tells how Rachael went to Paris to scatter postcards around the city in memory of her late mother who sadly passed away quite suddenly from bowel cancer. It was a story that needed taking forward, and the 60 Postcards book soon followed which en-captures the complete story from Rachael's mum's final months to Rachael's journey to Paris and beyond. There is no point me trying to retell the story in a paragraph, so I will just recommend you read the book. It is a fantastic read...
I was delighted when Rachael agreed to be part of the Lives & Times book. I have made no secret of the high profile public figures that I have managed to get on board the book, but chapters like Rachael's are in many ways the heart and soul of it. Without giving too much away we had to meet up twice to do the photo, but you will have to read the book to find out exactly why...
My mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer in 2012 and successfully had surgery to remove a section of her bowel. Unfortunately the cancer had also spread to her left lung and over the last four years she had undergone four more operations to remove nodules from that lung. The most recent operation was in March when she had the lower lob of her left lung removed in an attempt to stop the cancer coming back. Unfortunately last November Mum had a seizure and after tests we discovered that the cancer had also spread to her brain. In January she had "CyberKnife" treatment over three consecutive days for the brain cancer, which zapped one of the tumours, but unfortunately the other tumour has not responded and has increased in size. Her most recent seizure put Mum in hospital unable to move her right hand, right leg and badly affected her speech. It was while she was there that we got the devastating news that her cancer is now terminal. Last week she moved into a lovely nursing home where she can get the 24/7 care she needs. If ever she has needed positive vibes now is very much that time.
If anything the whole point of doing the book has been even more reinforced by this recent turn of events. Please support this fundraising book as every sale counts both in raising money and raising awareness about bowel cancer.
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