Kim’s Special Day story

Kim’s biggest fear was her children growing up without their mother and she just wanted a chance to escape from all the hospital appointments and go back to normality. Willow sent Kim and her family away to Blackwood Forest to spend some much needed time together.

I was diagnosed in October 2014 at the age of 30 when my two boys were three and six months old. It was a big shock and I instantly worried about my kids growing up without a mum. Having chemo was hard, I didn’t have any sickness but I was tired. I felt guilty that other people were having to look after my boys. I was so tired and having such small children was difficult after having two lots of surgery, they didn’t understand why they couldn’t jump on me and why I couldn’t pick them up, it was horrible. But I’m now on the road to recovery and hoping things are back to ‘normal’ for them soon.

I wanted to get away from the hospital appointments and people asking how I am.

Kim

The weekend was great. It was lovely to get away with my husband and two small boys after going through chemo and two surgeries. It’s been tough on all of us so it was great to be able to treat them to a holiday.

It was great to be in the middle of nowhere with no phone signal and the chance to just have fun together. The hot tub was a massive hit with everyone and was used every day of our stay. My eldest boy loved having the forest right outside our cabin and was very excited to go bug collecting.

My 31st birthday was on the Sunday and they had a birds of prey experience which I went on and was fantastic!! Overall we couldn’t have asked for a better weekend away.

I wanted to spend some quality time with my husband and kids. Get away from the hospital appointments and people asking how i am. I really wanted my husband to relax as he has been super stressed with work. So a cabin in the forest with our own private hot tub sounded perfect! And what was even better was there was no phone reception so hubby’s phone didn’t ring constantly as it normally does. The kids had a fabulous weekend and my 3 year old didn’t want to come home.

Having a Special Day to look forward to really did help. Knowing that once I had finished chemo and had my surgery I could get away from it all and relax a little (well as much relaxing as you can do with two small boys!!) made such a difference. It has made us realise we need to do it more often.

Willow do such a fantastic job and I know lots of people who have had a Special Day and think exactly the same. My next fundraising scheme will definitely be for Willow.