(by Rachael McEven)
Hi, my name is Rachael McEwen and I am lucky enough to be with the most amazing man who has stood by me since the day we met.
Out of the blue I got very sick in 2010 after taking the pill Yaz resulting in severe bilateral dvt's in both my groins. It left me in a wheelchair for 6 months and with permanent damage to my legs & body. As a result, after being healthy all my life my world was turned upside down. I was doing my best to keep working but finding it more and more difficult.
By 2012 I was feeling very unwell, so the Dr's went on to diagnose me with a brain tumour, a bone marrow disorder that is not curable and multiple sclerosis. My only way to try and control my medical conditions is taking the harsh drugs of warfarin and chemotherapy tablets daily along with other medications required.
I had just met Dean a week before hand, so I had no idea how I would break this news to him. He called me to see how I went as he was aware I was getting test results and he insisted on me telling him over the phone even though I would have preferred face to face. I said to him that I totally understood if he didn't wish to see me again as I had no idea what my future would be. To his credit from that day onwards he has stood by me with all my medical ups and downs which continue, and we have an amazing love and life together.
At this point I was forced to give up work as I could no longer function in my job. Vertigo ruled my world and it was constant stopping me from doing everyday tasks. Unlike many girls in America who were able to sue Bayer and receive compensation I was not able to do this, so my life has been financially impacted not being able to work and earn money how I did in the past.
Last year around February after 4 years of monitoring my brain tumour my specialist said after another MRI that despite all the risks my brain tumour had to be removed or it will be fatal. Needless to say I was a mess and scared beyond words. Dean was my rock, always there to reassure me everything will be ok. It took till December for the actual operation to take place as various other medical issues came up and had to be dealt with. By the grace of god my operation went well, and I am now in recovery still learning to manage with the after effects of it that will be lifelong. I am not able to go back to work as I had hoped, this means I cannot earn money which makes it hard with ongoing medical bills and trying to save for our wedding.
To my shock and surprise in May this year he took me out on one of our mystery adventures to a beautiful rose garden. Before I knew what was going on he was on his knee proposing to me, I said YES and felt very emotional and so fortunate to be with a man that despite everything wants to spend his life with me.
I am telling our story because I want to give Dean a special day that we will both remember. I want his 8 daughters who live interstate to be here to celebrate with us and share this day with their dad and myself who they have treated amazing from the day they met me.
Your support of this very personal campaign will mean the world to us and help us celebrate as a big family. Dean will get to spend time with his daughters, their partners and his grandchildren he does not get to see very often. He is a very hard-working man keeping a roof over our head, he deserves all the happiness and love I can give him.
I hope that with your help be it big or small I can achieve my goal, it will mean so much to me and what I hope to surprise Dean with.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story, our love and happiness to you all.
after I found out about Rachael McEwen's story I met
Bella Le from Bella E La Bestia Bridal boutique fashion house in Maryburnong who shared her story with me::
"I'm going to have the showcase coming up next month
#BelleCharmWhiteNightWeddingShowcase2018https://www.facebook.com/events/2058562477758370/ , It's not only a wedding show but at this show also I will donate a wedding dress to help a lady been through difficulties [Rachael] ... I'm willing to help our bride for the wedding so I'm very happy and excited about it. Hopefully I can share the story on some channels.
Looking forward to hear from you!
PS: I was born in Moscow Russia too!"
We will be interviewing Rachael and Bella on 13 February with our media crew ( Bryanna Reynolds, Jennifer Zaman, Glen Wilson and Monika Hodkinson )
Belle Charm White Night Wedding Showcase 2018 takes place 25th February (media: Bryanna Reynolds, Natasha Marchev, Jennifer Zaman, Erkin Kalayci, Tugba Caglayan) at the White Night Receptions 42 Hampstead Road Maidstone
To add to this story
Glen Wilson and Camilla Wilson (filming and photography) and Monika Hodkinson(MUAH) kindly agreed to cover Rachael's official wedding day on July 01.
I am very grateful to our media crew who kindly offered their help on all three events.
Please stay tuned - I would like to share more details with you.
~ 2 MUAs and 3 Hairstylists for July 1 (optional)
~ one bridal bouquet
~ a wedding cake
~ anyone who can offer a honeymoon accommodation for this beautiful couple somewhere in the country or outside of Victoria
~ any businesses / sponsors we worked with in the past and we work with now who are willing to assist with their products / gifts and services