Latest news with #RachelEvans
Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'Doctors thought my rash was eczema - then I was told I had six months to live'
When Rachel Evans developed a rash that made her feel as though she had 'insects crawling all over her body', doctors reassured her it was just eczema. Then she received a devastating diagnosis After developing an "intense" rash across her body, Rachel Evans was told by doctors that she had eczema, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something far more serious was going on. The 46-year-old was plagued by extreme itching, dizzy spells, nosebleeds, debilitating fatigue and unexplained weight loss, and despite pushing for answers, she was repeatedly turned away. Rachel recalled: "I couldn't manage my symptoms at all. The rash was unmanageable; it felt like there were insects crawling all over my body. I couldn't cope with the intense itchiness of that rash. I couldn't sleep, and I couldn't work. It completely took over my day and night, and the fatigue I felt was intense." Her symptoms started in 2020, but it took nearly two years for doctors to send Rachel for a chest X-ray, which detected a shadow on her lungs. A CT scan and biopsy followed, and, to her horror, Rachel was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma. Without treatment, doctors warned she may only have six months to live. READ MORE: 'I was told I had heatstroke from Turkey holiday - reality was scary' Married mum Rachel was devastated by the news, and says this was made even more difficult on account of her struggles with undiagnosed ADHD. Rachel, of Almondsbury, South Gloucestershire, shared: "Before my diagnosis, I was so burnt-out from struggling with life and undiagnosed ADHD. I have two words for how I was feeling: survival mode. "My doctors thought I would only have six months to live if I didn't have treatment. As I was emotionally dysregulated, I considered allowing my body to die from the cancer naturally. "But then I was able to consider the needs of my son, and so I decided to take the six months of ABVD chemotherapy." She added: "Everything happened really quickly. It was a very traumatic experience, more trauma on top of lifelong physical and emotional trauma caused by the ADHD. This developed into complex post-traumatic distress after chemotherapy." According to Rachel, who has a 10-year-old son and a nearly 20-year-old stepdaughter, her cancer treatment had a profound impact on her and her family. This was further compounded by the sudden illness and death of her mother-in-law. Her husband went to be with his mother in her final days, and then spent time grieving with his father and sister. Meanwhile, Rachel was left to care for her son alone for several weeks, amid a myriad of escalating challenges. Rachel explained: "Our home life was already emotionally challenged due to my undiagnosed ADHD, and our son's undiagnosed ASD and ADHD, so the cancer treatment caused a massive nosedive in the atmosphere. "In addition to the physical and emotional suffering from chemotherapy, like the pain of the picc line going in, problems with them extracting blood, panic attacks before chemo sessions, excruciatingly painful haemorrhoids, bloating, tummy pain, weight gain, loss of taste, nausea and receding gums, we had to deal with the very sudden family bereavement." In March 2023, Rachel went into remission, and while she still struggles with climbing stairs or hills, she's thankfully feeling much stronger physically. However, emotional recovery has proven to be more complicated. Rachel revealed: "My mental health has taken three years to recover. Thanks to ADHD medication, HRT for perimenopausal symptoms, psychotherapy, self-educating, and finding therapy myself, I am fully ready to engage with the world again, not just restored, but transformed." Going forward, Rachel hopes her story will help raise awareness of the more "sneaky" symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma. She said, "I wish that more health care professionals knew more about the symptoms - blood cancer is sneaky, and it hides in the shadows. "I had a movable, painless lymph node, but not in my neck like most people get, it was in my jaw. This is uncommon, but not unknown. "My weight loss was subtle because I was already quite slender, and the weight had dropped off gradually throughout the years. "I had a history of eczema, and a history of depression and anxiety, and I think this history masked the root causes of the blood cancer and the ADHD." Rachel says her ADHD only added to the significant challenges of her diagnosis and subsequent recovery. She continued: "I don't want any other human being to struggle the way I did, either physically, emotionally, or both. "I especially have a heart for women who have undiagnosed or diagnosed ADHD, and are perimenopausal, and have had to face a cancer diagnosis on top. ADHD is subtle and not easily detected, especially in women, unless you do the detective work. "I want to raise awareness so that others are educated and have a better chance of enjoying life, in all its fullness. I believe my life was saved in many ways, for many reasons, and sharing my story is just one of them."
Powys County Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Rhayader sisters win at Best of Welsh Business Awards
TWO sisters with a passion for fashion have spoken of their 'immense pride' after the clothing shop they opened just before lockdown was named Mid Wales' best fashion shop. Rachel Evans and Shan Williams were celebrating at Powys' famous Llangoed Hall earlier this month, as their shop, No8 Clothing, based in Rhayader, won 'Best Clothing/Fashion Store' at the Best of Welsh Business Awards 2025. Rachel described the win as a surprise and an amazing reward for the duo's hard work – something they are clearly not shy of, as both run the shop alongside full-time jobs. 'We didn't know anything about it,' said Rachel, 52, who revealed she is still not aware who initially nominated No8 for the award, for the Mid Wales region. The awards work by businesses receiving an initial vote; after which they are notified and can then collect further votes from clients and customers. Rachel said she first became aware of their nomination a few weeks ago, after receiving an email from organisers. It was then a case of publishing the news on social media and collecting votes. 'It's very heartwarming to find out people voted for us and appreciate us, it makes the hard work all worthwhile,' said local girl Rachel. 'It's an amazing reward for us, having started in difficult times.' Rachel and Shan took over the West Street shop from a cousin in November 2019 and sell women's, men's and children's clothing. No8 also sells gifts like candles, as well as bags, jewellery and accessories such as socks and scarves. They both run the shop alongside full time jobs, while Rachel's daughter Asha is also a big help too. 'We took over just before lockdown, so it has been a hard beginning,' added Rachel. 'For a small, new business, it was tough. It wasn't just lockdown, it took a long time for people to come back out to the high street, but we're still here and getting stronger and stronger. 'To get this award fills us with immense pride. We really appreciate our customers who voted, and it just makes me feel so proud and happy.' The Mid Wales awards were held at Llangoed Hall on Sunday, April 13. A post on the No8 Clothing Facebook page following the awards evening said: 'We're absolutely thrilled to share that No8 Clothing has been named Best Fashion Store 2025 at the Mid Wales Business Awards. 'A huge thank you to all our amazing customers, friends and family for your continued support since we opened our doors in 2019. 'It's been an incredible journey and this recognition means the world to us. 'Well done to all the other winners and finalists – it was an honour to be in such great company. Here's to the next chapter – we couldn't have done it without you.'
Washington Post
08-04-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Canadian couple likely the only business owners on Australia's Norfolk Island to face US tariffs
MELBOURNE, Australia — Jesse Schiller and Rachel Evans are likely the only business owners on Australia's Norfolk Island to be directly affected by the Trump administration's tariffs , as the South Pacific outpost they call home exports nothing to the United States. The Canadian couple, both aged 41, own a business that makes plastic-free hair accessories under the brand Kooshoo. Vancouver-born Schiller said he and his Norfolk Island-born wife are likely the only business owners on the island that will pay elevated tariffs — and they will pay at the rates imposed on Japan and India, where the goods are manufactured. Around 80% of Kooshoo's business is with the United States.
