Rachael Bland’s final episode of the ‘You, Me And The Big C’ podcast has been released, eight days after her death.
The BBC Radio 5 Live show, co-hosted with Lauren Mahon and Deborah James, was recorded less than a month ago and before Bland had been told by doctors how long she had left to live.
The episode is titled ‘About The New Normal’ and looks at trying to come to terms with a ‘normal’ life after a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
In the recording, Bland, who died at 40 years old from breast cancer, talks about the impact of her prognosis on her three-year-old son Freddie.
“I want to spend valuable time with him – whatever time I have left – I want it to be good time,” she said.
“The way I deal with it is by not thinking about it too deeply. I know I’m probably not going to be living for much longer but I don’t think about it too deeply because I wouldn’t be able to look at Freddie without weeping all over him.”
In a piece for HuffPost UK, Bland discussed how she was preparing her son for the future. “My main plan has been to write my memoir, ‘For Freddie’, which is almost finished. It’s a collection of all those stories your parents tell you over the years from their point of view, mixed in with all the advice they give you.”
She added: “I have a Whatsapp group with Steve’s sister where I send her things I want for Freddie and his future. The things that might overwhelm and upset Steve now but she will make sure happen.
“I’m also planning and wrapping birthday presents which he can open between the ages of four and twenty one.”
Bland’s death was confirmed in a statement by her husband Steve, and co-signed by her son Freddie, on Wednesday 5 September.
He said: “Our beautiful, courageous Rachael died peacefully this morning surrounded by her close family. We are crushed but she would want me to thank everyone who took an interest in her story or sent messages of support. You’ll never know how much they meant to her.”
The family also asked for their privacy to be respected while they come to terms with their loss.