In 2017, Margaret Molumby from Thurles, Tipperary was told her breast cancer had spread to her sternum and spine. Her metastatic diagnosis followed her breast cancer experience in 2004.
“20 years ago now, in March 2004, I found a lump in the shower and I went the GP straight away. I got a referral to go to Waterford Regional and I was seen to on the 3rd of April and by the 11th of May, I was in for my mastectomy – I kept a diary at the time, that’s why I have all the dates to hand.”
Following her surgery, Margaret went on to have six rounds of chemotherapy followed by 20 radiotherapy sessions. “Our kids were younger back then. Michelle, my eldest, was going into her Junior Cert that summer, Gus was 14, Vincent 12 and my youngest, Mairead, was just 9. It was very hard to break the news to them, but we got on with it. They were brilliant, my husband Gus was amazing, and we had our family, friends and neighbours all stepping in to help us along as well. Once my active treatment was finished, I went on Tamoxifen for a few years, continued my regular check ups and then in 2009, I got the all clear.”
Margaret had been a hairdresser up until her first diagnosis but stopped during her treatment. “I went back and done some hairdressing from around 2006 in a day care centre for local older people. I done that from 2006 right up until the pandemic in 2020. Gus was a carpenter and had his local workshop. All throughout my cancer experiences, he would be working away but had the flexibility to drop everything when needed to get me to and from appointments.”
“What’s Dragon Boating you might ask and what’s a gang of women from Tipperary doing going around all over the country paddling a big boat?"
During her first diagnosis, Margaret was approached by her local cancer support centre in Thurles. “Everything you needed was there to help you along with your cancer experience – we had yoga, reflexology, counselling and so on. I eventually got into the yoga and really enjoyed it. It was through the centre where I met other people going through breast cancer, and all other types of cancer and it was where I first got introduced to Dragon Boating.”
“What’s Dragon Boating you might ask and what’s a gang of women from Tipperary doing going around all over the country paddling a big boat? Well, there’s sports science behind it from a Canadian expert, Don McKenzie. It’s great for your physical and mental health, it’s a great social gathering and it’s also proven to help breast cancer survivors overcome lymphedema which can be an aftereffect of breast cancer. The first ever Dragon Boat team established in Ireland was the Plurabelle Paddlers up in Dublin, they formed in 2010. We formed the Suir Dragon Paddlers in 2013, the second team formed in Ireland and I’m one of the original founding members.”
"I remember the words the doctor said to me. ‘It’s treatable, but not curable’. I think you would have to be superhuman not be knocked by that – I was devastated."
13 years after her first diagnosis, Margaret felt a sharp pain down her right breast and went to her GP to get it checked. “We thought it was a viral infection initially, and I was put on antibiotics for two weeks, but I felt worse. After that, because of my history, I was pushed through and sent to Waterford Regional for a series of tests. Soon afterwards I was told of my metastatic diagnosis. I remember the words the doctor said to me. ‘It’s treatable, but not curable’. I think you would have to be superhuman not be knocked by that – I was devastated. It knocked me and I was in a bad place for a few months. But I’m generally a very positive person, and after a while my outlook began to change. I was able to say to myself, ‘you’re still here’ after all you have been through and honestly, as hard as it was, I just had to focus on cherishing every day. Every day I wake up is a gift and if the sun is shining, it’s a bonus.”
"There are days when I need to slow down, and I will sit in my chair and put on my music and take a break."
“I’ve been on oral chemotherapy tablets since 2017 and every couple of years, we have adjusted my dosage because of my changing blood pressure. I’m getting on with life. My eldest Michelle welcomed her first baby and I’m now a grandmother. I thank God and our Lady for every day that I am here, and I am determined to make the most of it. I was going to do some counselling in the cancer support centre, and you know what, I said I didn’t want to sit in that chair and take the place of somebody who needed it more. The Dragon Boat girls have been there for me, my children are checking in on me all the time and Gus is by my side. There are days when I need to slow down, and I will sit in my chair and put on my music and take a break. I’ll listen to some André Rieu, a bit of Leonard Cohen or John Denver. Once I’ve had my break, I’m up and off again. Life is there to live to the fullest, even with cancer.”
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're calling on the Irish public to host a Big Pink Breakfast or make a donation to support vital services and supports for breast cancer patients and their families. For more information, visit: Big Pink Breakfast | Irish Cancer Society
For any cancer-related queries, please get in touch with our Cancer Nurses through the Irish Cancer Society Support Line at freephone 1800 200 700 or by email at supportline@irishcancer.ie.
God’s Beauty, written by Margaret, which helps her through her cancer experience.
Glance across the meadow at the layers of frosted ice
The magic of a snowfall Christmas day would be so nice
Oh! to look at spider's web
Each thread in its own place
One would think it is a perfect piece of Lace
Colours of the rainbow outstretched across the sky
The crock of Gold never found
Oh! To know the reason why
All the little rabbits scurry underground,
And will surface once again when they know we're not around.
The trickle of the rain
Falls deep in the Underneath.
And Gives us back
"God's Beauty"
To treasure and to keep.
