Supporting Naomi through her cancer journey

Story

Hi, I'm Rachel...... Supporting an Incredible Woman on Her Journey: There are some people in this world who radiate strength, kindness, and love—my dear friend Naomi is one of those people. She is not someone who speaks of battles or fights; instead, she embraces her journey with cancer with courage, grace, and an open heart. She is an inspiration, not just to me, but to everyone who knows her. Naomi is an incredible mother to two wonderful boys, a devoted partner, and the kind of friend who brings light into the darkest days. She is resilient, wise, and full of love, even in the face of life’s hardest challenges. I admire her deeply, and it is with all my heart that I want to support her in every way possible. While she has the love of a wonderful man and family around her, I want to give her the gift of this GoFundMe—to show her just how cherished she is and to help her access the best treatment and alternative therapies available. She deserves every opportunity to heal and thrive, and together, we can make a difference in her journey to recovery. With love, compassion, and the power of community, let’s stand by her side. Any contribution, no matter how big or small, will help provide the care and support she needs. Naomi needs help with funds to cover not only the surgery costs of £5000, but as she has had to close her business and is relying on minimal benefits (she receives none for sickness or disability. Amazingly, 'cancer' and surgery is not covered until you've had it for at least 3 months) living costs on top of her travel costs back and forth to London, additional health treatments (the list of vitamins/supplements to help support her immune system), hyperbaric oxygen therapy for post surgery healing and physio therapy and counselling for her and her boys. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. With love, Rachel X In Naomi's words: My world was shaken on January 10th of this year when I was told had breast cancer. Caught very early, but the process since has been emotionally and physically exhausting. Our local NHS hospital in Bath discussed with us what surgery and what treatment plan was ahead of me. I was told that, due to my size (& lack of fat), a lumpectomy and partial reconstruction would leave me with a much smaller and misshapen breast. I would then also have to have radiotherapy. The other option that was given to me was full mastectomy with implant reconstruction. I was told that reconstruction using my own tissue from my tummy (DIEP flap), was not an option due to my lack of fat. Neither felt right to me. I did know however that I wanted to avoid radiotherapy due to the risk to my lung. Back in Jan 2024, I made the decision to take out medical insurance for me and my children. To some, this seemed like an expense (for a single mum with no disposable income) that was unnecessary. I was in ‘good health’ at the time, I had had severe medical traumas (stroke from carotid artery tear after an electric shock) in the past but I was doing ok. However, without much conscious thought, I was adamant about going ahead with it. Fast forward 11 months and I’m thanking the heavens for the cancer cover I have on my policy. Only because of this I have been able to see one of, if not the best surgeon in his field. I spent days looking and researching possible surgeons for this particular type of surgery, speaking to many medical professionals in the field (including local to me), and I kept being redirected back to Stuart. I have been back and forth to London to meet with him and other surgeons (turns out I need two. One for the mastectomy, and one for the reconstruction). Stuart James met with me, listened to me, looked at me and said ‘yes, we can do the DIEP surgery’. Frightened, but overjoyed, he has over 30 years’ experience and utilises methods others don’t. He also, in 15 years has had a 0% failure rate. I had the chance of having surgery to give me back a natural, soft new breast. This option, although major surgery to start, long-term it is much safer, once past the initial 2 weeks, with far less complications (than implant). Surgery will be anywhere between 8-12/13 hours. The mastectomy, then followed with cutting me hip to hip, semi-circle up to my belly button and mirror image below. This, plus the arteries will be used to reconstruct a new breast. Stuart will ‘plumb in’ the arteries into their new home in my chest and under my rib cage. All through a small hole from cutting under the lower half of my nipple and a touch out to the side. A magician of his trade. I’m so thankful I found him. Unfortunately, there is a shortfall with my insurance policy. They pay up to a certain amount but because of the complexities of my surgery and the expertise needed from the surgeon and anaesthetist, they are not ‘fee assured’ with the insurer. And so, here I am. I’ve held off writing this for my own ‘go fund me’ page as I feel embarrassed to be in the position of asking others for financial contributions. I have considered and exhausted all other options, including an Airbnb booking on my house for 2 months, through a housing agency to house a displaced local family who sadly had had a house fire. I would have had 3 days to prepare the house, pack up, move out and work out where the children and I would camp out from for the time away. I was trying to make it happen, as the money for my surgery was right there…within my grasp. However, family and friends made me see sense and that of course my children need to know their home is theirs during this very difficult time. In hindsight, having had one small surgery and struggling with the recovery, I can see that it would have caused a lot of harm and stress. I wish I could come up with the money myself, but in this moment, it is clear to me now that I need to ask for help. Already, with train fares and gene test (not covered) The year ahead looks like it will have its challenges, BUT, even within a ‘lifeshock’ such as this, I truly believe everything happens as it should. I know I will learn some beautiful life lessons through this journey. There are silver linings, and I have seen and felt them already. This year, I have been the most content and happiest I have been in my entire life. I’ve got through some big struggles over the last 10 years, I’ve made peace with things and a year or so ago, had the most amazing human being become a part of my life. Marcus has brought me so much laughter and joy and he’s been my rock. Caring for me, supporting me, travelling back and forth to London with me. Attending every appointment. Nourishing me with his incredible cooking, all whilst trying to keep his own business ticking over. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such a person, but I am so very grateful for him. My life with him, and our children is so full of beauty, I want to ‘live it’ so very much. Something like this happens and you realise how much you want to live. I’ll do whatever it takes.