Rachel had advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma, a type of tongue cancer.
Surgeons then used muscle and blood vessels from her legs to reconstruct her tongue and the arteries and veins in her neck.After the operation Rachel was left unable to speak or walk and had to undergo months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As Rachel's time on the unit was during the Covid pandemic she was not allowed visitors or to mingle with other patients. She came to rely on the support of TCT staff - nurse Fiona and youth support worker Nicola."It feels like they're not even there for a job, it feels like they want to be there and want to support you," she said."Fiona is so kind and so caring.
Rachel is now the face of their new appeal, alongside advising the charity while she continues with her studies.