This Carers Week, we recognise the dedication and resilience of those who support loved ones with cancer. Rachel, who cared for her husband Mark after his Stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis, reflects on her experience and the vital role of the Fountain Centre in helping her family navigate an uncertain time.
Discovering The Fountain Centre
Rachel first learned about the Fountain Centre in the midst of medical appointments and difficult decisions, she sought a place where her entire family—herself, Mark, and their three young children—could find guidance and support.
"I was searching for something concrete and tangible—a place where we could each get what we needed," Rachel shares. The Fountain Centre became that place, offering counselling, therapies, and emotional reassurance at a time when she needed it most.
Support from our Psychological Support Service helped Rachel identify her children's needs and provided crucial emotional guidance for Rachel herself. Mark also received counselling, ensuring that every family member had access to the care they needed.
The Reality of Being a Carer
Life changed instantly after Mark’s diagnosis, as Rachel adapted to a new reality—balancing medical appointments, emotional stress, and everyday life.
"At first, there’s this very weird shock. It’s the biggest, most critical news you’ve ever received, but life has to keep going."
She describes the challenge of keeping life as stable as possible for her children while also facing difficult conversations with doctors and loved ones. The Fountain Centre’s complementary therapies, including Reiki and Reflexology, gave Rachel time to process her emotions, providing space to think and prepare for what lay ahead.
Prioritising Wellbeing and Finding Peace
Rachel emphasises how essential it was for her to care for herself.
"Mark and I were both so focused on each other and the children that I had to learn how to put myself first. And that was incredibly difficult."
Through this experience, she came to understand that looking after her own wellbeing wasn’t selfish—it was necessary to keep her family strong. Today, she moves forward with one guiding principle:
No regrets.
"Every decision, every moment we had together—no regrets. That’s what keeps me going."
Encouraging Others to Seek Support
Rachel hopes her experience encourages other carers to seek support, even when the road ahead feels overwhelming.
"The Fountain Centre helped us close the gap between the unbearable truth and the ability to accept it. The emotions we went through were impossible to handle alone."
For anyone caring for a loved one with cancer, Rachel’s advice is simple: be honest about your needs, reach out for help, and embrace every moment—however difficult it may be.
This Carers Week, we recognise the strength of carers and the importance of support networks like The Fountain Centre. If you or someone you know needs support while caring for a loved one with cancer, help is available.
