A footballer’s wife and mum-of-two has shared her horror after her “biggest fear” has come to pass – with the cancer she has been battling for years now spreading to her lungs.
Rachel Borthwick, who is married to St Johnstone’s Graham Carey, is battling the disease for a fourth time and has been frantically raising funds to be able to seek treatment in Germany.
The 36-year-old has managed to raise over £100,000 so far but is still £50,000 away from her target.
And she was delivered “even more gut-wrenching news” this week, with doctors telling her the cancer – which started as breast cancer – has spread to both of her lungs.
“My heart is shattered,” the Glaswegian said.
“My biggest fear has happened and I don’t have any words.
“I am completely numb to my core.
“The [cancerous] nodules are tiny at the minute but I am absolutely devastated.
“As much as I’m trying to stay positive, I always had in my head that if it [the cancer] went to any main organ, it would be a downward spiral from there.
“I can’t even take it in or process it, to be honest.
“Life is so, so unfair.”
Rachel, who is mum to son Jaxon, nine, and her seven-year-old daughter Marlow, had “no symptoms whatsoever” and was in “great” health when she first found a lump on her breast in September 2021.
But she was diagnosed with breast cancer just six weeks later and quickly started treatment to beat it.
Rachel was given the all-clear for the first time in November 2022, but her “worst nightmare” came true when she found a lump in her armpit in March.
During treatment, in June she found a third lump in the same area – which was also confirmed to be cancerous.
And from there she was handed a fourth cancer diagnosis in November 2023.
While Rachel has had multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, none have worked long-term, and a fundraiser was launched to help fund the costs of alternative treatment in Germany.
Rachel said: “So far I have found two places in Germany that look promising but I’m still in the middle of sending emails and discussing lots of information.
“I’m not sure if it’s only the lungs they can target, but if so it means the cancer in my chest and muscle will continue to grow.
“It is hell on earth.
“The cost for these treatments is so unfair.
“I am so blessed to have some of the funds in my GoFundMe, but we need to raise more.
“I cannot tell my kids I’m leaving them, it’s too soon.
“One final push to pay for as many trips and treatments as I can over there.
“My cancer grows rapidly so time is against us.”
Prior to her initial diagnosis, the mum led a healthy lifestyle and exercised regularly.
Rachel previously told Need To Know: “I had no symptoms whatsoever.
“I was at the gym all the time and I was fit and healthy.
“My health was great prior to this – I barely even got a cold.
“Being told I had cancer the first time was horrific but another two times after is just indescribable.
“I now live in fear every single day and suffer from the worst anxiety.
“As much as I am trying to stay hopeful and positive, I really do feel like a ticking time bomb and every single second is precious to me.
“It has had a massive effect on my children.
“They know what is happening as I am always open and honest with them.
“My children shouldn’t have to worry about a life with no mummy.
“They are my whole world, and I made a promise to them to fight this with every inch of my being.
“Everything I do is for them.”
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