A MUM-of-two battling cancer is looking to help others in her shoes as she raises money for a charity’s research into the illness.
Rachael Wood, from Colchester, was 29 weeks pregnant with her son, Harrison, when she started having seizures.
She was diagnosed with a suspected low-grade brain tumour, later identified as a grade 4 astrocytoma.
The 36-year-old spent a month in hospital under observation during her pregnancy, and suffered uncontrolled epilepsy in response to an allergic reaction she had to one of the drugs she was given.
Despite this, Harrison was born in June, fit and healthy.
Rachael, who also has a five-year-old daughter, Bella, had brain surgery in November, but was shocked when biopsy results revealed her tumour is a high-grade astrocytoma.
She said: “I went through such a rollercoaster of emotions, being diagnosed, then being told my tumour was low-grade followed by the joy of my son’s birth and then the devastating revelation my tumour was in fact high-grade.”
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Rachael had combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy and is currently undergoing a six-month course of chemo.
She said she is “taking it day-by day”, but added treatments are “brutal”.
Although on sick leave, Rachael usually works as a bridal consultant for The Wedding Shop in Colchester.
Now, she and her colleagues will celebrate the Brain Tumour Research charity’s Wear A Hat Day fundraiser on March 31.
Rachael, who will join her colleagues for photos on the day, said: “There are around 15 of us and they’ve all been amazing.
“They’ve got colourful mother-of-the-bride hats and big hats for events like Royal Ascot so I’m sure the girls will choose dramatic ones for the photos.
“The charity’s pin badges are already on sale in the shop and for every hat sold on the day the owner will donate £10 to Brain Tumour Research.”
Rebecca added: “After I was diagnosed, I learned treatment for brain tumours hasn’t changed in years, and there is no cure.
“I’m in a position now to help prevent other people from having to go through what I am, and if there’s a breakthrough in ten years, if I’m lucky, I might still be around to benefit from it.
“I’ve got to do what I can to be here for as long as possible for my children.”
For more information, visit braintumourresearch.org/donate/WAHD23.
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