SEE YOU IN HEAVEN
WOMAN'S OWN|June 12, 2023
Jennie Ludford, 47, is determined to keep her son’s memory alive
JOHANNA BELL, AMANDA CHALMERS
SEE YOU IN HEAVEN

Sitting in the cafe opposite a woman I’d never met before, I stared down at my cup of coffee and untouched pastry. It was August 2019 and I’d not had much of an appetite for weeks. In fact, looking after myself had been so far down on my priorities. I’d just about managed to brush my hair and disguise the bags under my eyes with a bit of concealer for this meeting. The truth was, life at that moment felt surreal – like one big terrifying blur. And the woman sat in front of me, Rachel Ollerenshaw, then 49, knew exactly how I felt because she had been where I was – living every mother’s worst nightmare. As she spoke softly to me, telling me about her daughter Molly who had died from kidney cancer eight years before, I couldn’t stop thinking about my son Charles, 12, and how I wouldn’t be able to live without him when this cruel disease took him, too.

FINDING A FRIEND

‘How are you still able to smile when Molly isn’t here?’ I asked Rachel through tears.

‘Molly wanted me to be happy and help other children like her,’ Rachel said. She had set up a charity in Molly’s name, to help other children with life-threatening illnesses. A friend had put me in touch with her, and even though I’d only just met her, she was already an inspiration to me.

Charles had been a happy, healthy 12-year-old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in June 2019. We’d been back and forth to the doctor over three weeks about pain in his arm, dizziness and sickness. Then, when he woke in the middle of the night unable to walk properly, my husband Jim, then 47, and I called an ambulance.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMAN'S OWNView all
Loose Women IN CRISIS
WOMAN'S OWN

Loose Women IN CRISIS

With unhappy viewers and panel fall-outs, are the key characters about to be axed?

time-read
3 mins  |
November 18, 2024
MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS
WOMAN'S OWN

MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS

Pe This istand in the ut 7% Indian Ocean feels Sa: like paradise, says Charlotte Richards

time-read
2 mins  |
October 28, 2024
I HATE BEING A MUM
WOMAN'S OWN

I HATE BEING A MUM

One woman, 55, reveals why she resents all of the sacrifices she made to be a mother

time-read
5 mins  |
October 28, 2024
SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM
WOMAN'S OWN

SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM

Trying to lose weight? With these clever tweaks, you don’t have to miss out on the seasonal sweet stuff

time-read
2 mins  |
October 28, 2024
DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR
WOMAN'S OWN

DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR

Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions

time-read
2 mins  |
October 28, 2024
SEX HORRORS SOLVED!
WOMAN'S OWN

SEX HORRORS SOLVED!

Stop physical intimacy from turning into the stuff of nightmares with our expert advice

time-read
2 mins  |
October 28, 2024
THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH CANCER
WOMAN'S OWN

THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH CANCER

More than 12,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumours each year in the UK. Two mums tell us how the cruel disease changed their lives forever

time-read
3 mins  |
October 28, 2024
DAWN NEESOM MIND OF MY OWN
WOMAN'S OWN

DAWN NEESOM MIND OF MY OWN

The Woman's Own columnist has her say on marriage, tea and Absolutely Fabulous!

time-read
2 mins  |
October 28, 2024
TRAPPED INSIDE MY HOME WITH A MONSTER
WOMAN'S OWN

TRAPPED INSIDE MY HOME WITH A MONSTER

Gemma Williams, 46, thought she'd die at the hands of her partner

time-read
4 mins  |
October 28, 2024
AMANDA TO REPLACE CAT?
WOMAN'S OWN

AMANDA TO REPLACE CAT?

With increasing criticism directed at the This Morning host, are producers ready to call in a familiar face?

time-read
3 mins  |
October 28, 2024