02 Apr Rachel
~ In Memorium June 25 1991 – October 7 2021 ~
We talk a lot about cancer survivors, and have many beautiful ways to celebrate them. We talk much less about the people who have the incredible task of living with a terminal diagnosis.
It’s romantic to talk about “living like each day is your last,” but there’s nothing romantic about being given a 5 year expiry date on the life you love. Knowing that you’ll still have all the mundane tasks of living, going to work to pay the bills, all the same struggles everyone else has- and that you’ll be adding a litany of medical procedures, experimental treatments, and pain that doesn’t ever go away for long.
I met Rachel when she came in for a boudoir shoot. Young and vibrant with an ascerbic wit and sassy smile, I assumed that when she said “cancer” she meant “curable.” At the time I didn’t know what Stage 4 cancer was.
I don’t know how anyone can be so full of life when they’re dying.
Rachel wasn’t a complainer, so it was only later that I came to know more of her story. She was diagnosed with cancer for the first time when she was ten, then again at 12 with a kind caused by the chemo that cured her first cancer. That 12yo girl underwent everything from high dose chemo to radiation to a bone marrow transplant, and at 13 was told she’d never be able to have biological children; but she was cancer free for several beautiful years. She finished high school, started an undergrad degree, fell in love, and travelled when she could. She got engaged and planned a future.
In 2016, as she planned her wedding, she was diagnosed with cancer again. This time there was no cure. Despite being told only 22% of those diagnosed with this kind of cancer survived 5 years, she didn’t give up; she got married, kept studying, and got her geology degree. She also had a boggling number of invasive, painful, life-altering treatments, therapies and procedures.
Rachel’s tenacity, humour, caring and sheer grit were awe-inspiring. As her clock ran down and she wrote the final pages of her story, she stayed optimistic and sassy and kind. She was an inspiration, and I am so grateful to have had her in my life.
Love you, Rachel. You have touched the world in ways it will never forget. I’ll miss you.
Kim Johnson
Posted at 21:39h, 02 AprilDear Rachael,
You are a brave, beautiful soul both inside and out. You are the best of us at life and what it means to be human. I wish you joy and peace.
Britt
Posted at 22:44h, 02 AprilSuch light in her eyes ❤️ Much love to you and yours Rachel.
Amy
Posted at 17:42h, 04 AprilRachel you are such a beautiful soul with a beautiful body and spirit. Your story just melted my heart. Shine away angel