“I have spent the past three years in physical rehabilitation, I am getting stronger each day."
“I broke my left arm, and I was told I would require surgery. However, post-surgery the feeling never returned in my arm. After exhausting all other avenues, I was booked in for a brain scan. At this point, my health was deteriorating rapidly and ended up being admitted to hospital. This was in 2020, just as the Covid pandemic was kicking off.
“I was in hospital for several weeks, with numerous tests and scans. A biopsy result came back to show I had CNS – lymphoma of the brain. The cancer was present in my front temporal lobe and right temporal lobe. Within 48 hours I started aggressive chemotherapy. The treatment was intensive, but without it, my chances weren’t good.
“I spent the next nine months in hospital and my weight dropped to 30kgs.
“The unpredictability of treatment was the hardest part for me, my body reacted differently to each round - physically, mentally and emotionally. Accepting my body required rest when it needed it, was challenging. For someone who is a control freak, realising some of those things are now out of my control, was also tough to get my head around.
“The treatment was successful, but I lost the movement in my left arm and leg. I couldn’t walk or stand.
“I have spent the past three years in physical rehabilitation, I am getting stronger each day. I am in the active monitoring stage, with scans every six months.
“I would like to say to others going through something similar, you aren’t alone. Also, you are not a burden on your friends and family. They want to help and be there for you, so try be open and share how you are feeling. Also allow them to share their feelings also, try your best to keep an open dialogue.”
“I was issued with an emergency medical card when I was diagnosed, but then when I applied for a proper one, I was denied.
“I appealed my decision, but I honestly gave up after about 10 months, I even got a local TD involved at one point. The process was incredibly draining, and I just didn’t have the mental or physical energy for it.
“Since I was diagnosed, I have been in a wheelchair. The equipment payments are incredibly high, and they all come from my own pocket. If my wheelchair breaks, I must pay. If something needs to be changed, I must pay. Its currently missing an arm, which will set me back a few hundred euro.
“I only just paid 4,000 EURO for orthotics to try get me back walking. My neuro-physio appointment is 145 EURO an hour, and I need to attend this twice a week.
“I don’t qualify for a bus pass so have to take taxis to all my appointments, which really do all add up.”
