Rachel
At 48 after
discovering a lump in my breast, I was told the words ‘You have cancer.’ With
those words, my life changed forever. I was diagnosed with Triple Negative
Breast cancer—something I never thought would happen to me. I can’t remember
much about that day, except being told it was aggressive, that my treatment
would be full on, but I could take it.
With that, cancer had entered my life. Everything looked the
same, but everything had changed.
The following days were a whirlwind, filled with tears and
uncertainty as I awaited my treatment plan. My initial fears were overwhelming: Would I
die? Would I lose my hair? How am I going to do this?
My cancer was treatable, it was aggressive and not as well
understood, so required an equally aggressive approach. My body was pushed to its limit and beyond,
having endured countless procedures, operations, chemotherapy, radiotherapy,
ongoing daily medication. As well as the
emotional toll of losing my hair, something which was/still is extremely
traumatic for me.
Post treatment, recovery is a long road, I am still putting
myself back together, both physically and emotionally and finding the ‘new me’,
It hasn’t been all bad! I have a new outlook on life, I
accept myself for who I am, and I grab life a little more, saying yes when
before I would have said no. I have
gained the cancer community. It really is the community you wish you never
would become a part of; we stand together and share a bond no one else could
understand.
Having made a life changing move from Meriden, in the centre
of England in 2025 I live with my husband and two dogs in beautiful West Wales. Surrounded by the stunning coastline and the
tranquillity of nature, I continue my journey of recovery, finding peace and
strength in daily walks and serenity.
Our Story – How Courage & Care began
The day after my diagnosis, my sister (Lisa) sent me a
bouquet of flowers. The card simply read, “You’ve got this”. At a time
when it’s hard to find the right words, those few offered just enough—no fuss,
no drama, just a heartfelt message of encouragement and belief. They were words
of hope.
Alongside the flowers was a little bear, which soon became my
constant companion and I nicknamed him “Chance”. He accompanied me to every single appointment
(and still does). Chance proved to be an ice breaker, sparking conversations
with nurses and providing a welcome distraction from needles and machines (he
also had a change of clothes for different occasions and procedures!). He was
there for me to squeeze tightly and hold on to — he became well-known and
deeply loved.
Throughout my treatment, Lisa was my main support; everyone
needs someone who can listen without making things harder or asking for details
they aren’t ready to share.
In searching for ways to support me and show me how much she
cared, Lisa soon realised there was nowhere for someone on this journey to find
a curated collection of helpful items all in one place.
Trying to source products that were gentle and could help
with side effects became a minefield. I was learning the hard way—by trial and
error—what might (or might not!) help manage the side effects of treatment.
We decided that it would be helpful for those going through
treatment (and for their family and friends) to have one place where products
that are not only practical but have been thoughtfully and carefully sourced
can be found
We hope this website helps you feel as though someone is
holding your hand, guiding you, and making the journey you face a little
easier. Our carefully chosen selection of products is intended to help you
manage some of the side effects from treatment or simply help you feel a little
brighter at a time when you might be feeling a bit rotten.
The cancer journey, no matter how much support you have, can
be a lonely one. A little-known truth about cancer is that even when treatment
ends, the emotional battle continues. This website aims to offer guidance and
solidarity to everyone affected by a cancer diagnosis, and beyond.