UPDATE 24 March 2010

Local Mum and neighbour Michelle and her team of friends held a Coffee and Cake morning yesterday! The event was held at The Orchard Tennis Club and as the weather was beautiful people were able to sit outside to enjoy their coffee and delicious cake in the sunshine! Many homemade cakes were sold, there was a very successful raffle and everyone had fun whilst supporting Racheal. In total an amazing £1400 was raised! Thank You very much to the many people who helped and contributed to this hugely successful event.

UPDATE  23 March 2010

What have I been up to?

Well I got married to Chris.....new photo to follow soon! It's here!! We shared a wonderful day with our family, friends and Jamie, Ruby and Kitty our little stars! No honeymoon for us though as a few days later I started a drug trial! I will know more about the results of this in 6-8 weeks time when I have my next scan. I have also had numerous consultations, metabolic therapies and complimentary treatments.....I will do whatever it takes to fight this disease! When I have some rare free time I relax with my family.....I am also learning to meditate.

So far I have spent nearly £5,000 of the money that you have raised for me so a huge "THANK YOU" for all your help and support, I really couldn't do this without you!  Racheal x

RACHEAL'S STORY

My name is Racheal Mullen and I’m 38 years old. I am married to Chris and we have three beautiful children – Jamie (nine), Ruby (six), and Kitty (two) – who are the centre of our world. 

In June 2009, that world came crashing down around us with the terrible news that I had Ocular Melanoma (a cancerous tumour in the eye). For three years prior to this diagnosis, I had complained of severe headaches and disturbance to my vision. I was initially informed that this was nothing more than migraine, and was later treated with drugs used for epilepsy. 

My only option was to have my eye removed to cut out the cancer. Following the removal of my eye, I was worried that the cancer would spread but after an ultrasound scan, I was given the all clear in July. We celebrated beating the cancer and moved on with our life as a family.

It seems that the ultrasound scan from June may not have shown enough detail because in December 2009, shortly before Christmas, I pushed for a follow-up scan only to receive the shattering news that the cancer had spread to my liver. I was told that my cancer was both very aggressive and terminal, and that there were no options for me other than to go home and make plans for my family’s future without me.

But I refuse to be beaten. I will never give up. My family needs me and I will fight with everything I have to remain in their lives.

With the help of my family and friends, I have been researching my many options: some conventional and some more alternative. Ideally I would like to combine both to give my body the best possible chance to fight this disease. Both options, however, require much time and money. As a result of the original misdiagnosis and the later misinterpretation of my scan, I feel that much of my valuable time has already been lost and I have to act immediately. I feel I have been let down, but I have to push any negative feelings from my mind in order to continue my fight. 

I truly believe that with your help and support, I have the best chance of beating cancer. Unfortunately, goodwill alone is not enough, as there is no funding for most of the treatments that I require. It is really hard for me to ask you for money but I know that this is my only option if I am to win the fight of my life. Please help to support me in any way you can. 

ALL DONATIONS WILL GO TOWARDS FUNDING THE TREATMENTS THAT WILL KEEP ME ALIVE. 

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