I treasure every minute of my life

Sep 30 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

A MUM of two will compete in this year’s Great North Run with her daughter by her side six years after winning her battle with leukaemia.

Rachel Sellwood, of Hill Top, in Eggleston, County Durham, was diagnosed in 2002 after noticing bruises on her body.

The 43-year-old spent most of the next six months in Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, where she underwent four bouts of energy-sapping chemotherapy.

Cutting-edge medication was needed to fight the rare and aggressive strand of the disease, called acute promyelocytic myeloid leukaemia.

Even now, she requires constant medical reviews and when she finishes the race on Sunday will have a six-month check-up to monitor her progress.

But despite that, Rachel is determined to run the half-marathon with her daughter, Emma, 21, to raise cash for the charity Leukaemia Research, which helped save her life.

Last night she relived the moment she was given the devastating news of her illness.

She said: “I was perfectly well and fine. I was not aware that anything was wrong. When I look back, I thought I was a bit tired, but you don’t think of these things.

“I started to develop these big bruises and my husband forced me to go to the doctor’s. One day I was fine, and the next thing I was stuck in a hospital. They told me it was very aggressive and if they hadn’t caught it when they did, I would’ve died. I feel I have been a very lucky and privileged person.”

On Sunday 52,000 people will run from Newcastle to South Shields as they take part in the greatest half-marathon in the world.

And it is an exciting prospect for Rachel, who lives with her husband Kevin, 46, and son David, 19, as she continues to rebuild her life.

The experience has given her a philosophical outlook – and one that makes her value every day she is able to spend with her family.

She said: “If it wasn’t for the research that Leukaemia Research is involved with, I might not be here today. My treatment was very cutting-edge and made me very ill, but still I am so grateful to still be here. I get very nervous about hospital visits. I never like to tempt providence, but I know I just have to get on with life and make sure I enjoy every minute.

“My family is my life and I’m so proud of them. I treasure every minute of my life now – that’s what I have learnt. My husband Kevin meets me half way round my training runs with drinks. He’s so special and I will be so proud to run with Emma on the big day. I think it might be a bit emotional.

“I would like anyone who finds themselves in a similar position to feel encouraged by my story and to know that there can be a future after such a terrible illness.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor Rachel can visit www.justgiving.com/rachelsellwood