Teacher Rachel loses lung cancer battle

Her 'devastated' family said she "fought till the end".

She was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in March last year and sought out private treatment abroad, as she was considered "untreatable" by the NHS.

Rachel passed away on Thursday, January 18, aged 44, at John Eastwood Hospice surrounded by her parents, sister, niece and three friends.

She left behind her sons, George, nine, and seven-year-old Milo.

Lynn Lucas, Rachel's mum has said the loss is still very raw.

She said: "One of the last things she said was 'I don't want to leave but I'm very tired now.'

"She was a real fighter.

"We saw the change in her the day before she passed - she said 'I feel different' and she deteriorated quite quickly.

"It should not have happened; when you are old you expect it.

"As she was missdiagnosed makes it a hard pill to swallow - it makes you angry."

Since Rachel was diagnosed with lung cancer the community has rallied behind the former Quarrydale Academy teacher.

Raising over £30,000 for her to seek medical treatment in Istanbul.

Rachel was previously diagnosed as having self-organising pneumonia before she was told she had lung cancer.

Lynn said: "We went to Istanbul twice for her treatment.

"We should have gone five times, we only got to go twice because she was getting so ill.

"She never took no for an answer she was very determined very strong minded.

"We were told we would lose her by August.

"She was full of life.

"From the minute she went we all missed her. "

The funeral service will be held at St Andrew's Church on Mansfield Road, Skegby, on Wednesday, January 31 at 1pm.

Rachel will be laid to rest in Sutton In Ashfield Cemetery, on Lammas Road, Sutton at 2,30pm on the same day.