Ellie’s forest retreat
Ellie is 40 and has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer. For her Special Break, Ellie and her family went on a woodland retreat with Forest Holidays.
“I can’t thank Willow enough for sending us on this wonderful break away.”
Ellie’s story
“I was first diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in April 2022, at only 35 years old. I had one lump in my right breast. I received chemotherapy, radiotherapy and I had a lumpectomy. It was a hard time but in comparison to now, when I look back it was a breeze. I lost my hair and had all of the other side effects that chemo had to offer. But I made it through the other side and finally in November I heard the words I’d been longing to hear – ‘you are cancer free’.
“In April 2025 I found another lump, this time in my left breast. The ultrasound showed it was another cancer but at this stage they were unsure what type until I got my biopsy result. The results showed it was triple negative again. I needed chemo, radiotherapy and surgery again. I felt numb.
“I had to tell my children that mummy’s cancer had come back, and it was the hardest conversation I’ve ever had to have. My eldest, Isabella, who was eight years old at the time, hugged me and told me everything would be okay. My youngest, Skyla, was only four and didn’t really understand. They knew that the medicine I would be having would make mummy poorly for a while, but it would make me better in the long run.
“Unfortunately, after an MRI scan, they found several tumours within my breast, and it had also spread to my lymph nodes. I had to have several biopsies which wasn’t the most pleasant experience. The chemotherapy caused severe side effects, including labrynthitis, colitis and osteoporosis.
“I had to be looked after 24/7 when I got home. This was a hard time for my family, especially my young daughters, and it was hard for me as I wasn’t able to do things such as school runs and making them their favourite snacks. I had to rely on those around me to help which was tough. Fortunately, I have a great support network around me with my mum and my mother-in-law. They helped a lot while my husband had to go to work.
“I heard about Willow from my specialist nurse, Angela. We went to Blackwood Forest for a long weekend away and stayed in a log cabin with a hot tub. It was wonderful to be away from the hustle and bustle and just relax for the weekend, just the four of us, and forget everything that’s happened and all that’s to come. I can’t thank Willow enough for sending us on this wonderful break away. We really did create a lot of memories that we will cherish forever.”
Willow provides special experiences for seriously ill young adults, like Ellie. Donate today to help more families create lasting memories.