Cancer affects everyone. Therefore I’m jumping out of a plane. Well, kind of…
Today marks a pivotal day in my life, a milestone. This day five years ago I was sitting on the couch with my mam when the phone rang. It was my oncologist Seamus ringing to tell me my scans came back clear. My cancer was gone. I was free. I got to hit restart on life. This day, five years ago, I officially beat cancer. And to mark this, I’m doing a fundraising skydive June 13th in aid of Cork ARC Cancer Support House (Link in bio!!!).
Cork ARC is a not-for-profit safe haven for cancer patients and their families, offering free services from counselling, wellness classes and professional support, so donations make ALL the difference!! 💓 A cancer diagnosis comes with an unexplainable level of loneliness, but Cork ARC offers a supportive space to remind both patients and loved ones that they are not alone. They really helped me, and are making the world of difference for people very close to my heart, so please support in any way you can - even if that’s by reposting this and spreading the word!! 🫶
On August 21st 2020, I started chemotherapy for stage 2 Hodgkins Lymphoma. I was 16. I was healthy and active. I was an elite swimmer. But in March 2020 I found a lump above my right collarbone, and after 5 months of phone calls, antibiotics and biopsies, I was diagnosed. I was due to start 5th year in just over a week, but instead I spent the next 6 months isolated and getting chemotherapy.
Although cancer was terrifying, it was made clear to me from the start that I would be okay. The really scary thing was everything else. I got neutropenic sepsis, pneumonitis, and shingles. Covid would have killed me. I also got Chemobrain (yes it’s a thing!!) which led to memory loss, focus issues; the works.
But then on March 26th 2021, the clouds lifted over mine and my family's lives. I got that magic phone call telling me the cancer was gone. So now here I am, five years cancer free (yippee!!) ⭐ I get to experience life and be surrounded by wonderful, inspiring people every day whom I love and adore. So please - ALWAYS vouch for your health. Get that second opinion. Have the conversations 💛🌼
