Daffodil Diaries

“When I was told I had cancer, I said 'I don't have time for this, I have a child to get better'.”

"I think my doctors were surprised by my attitude. They said I was unique"

"My jaw just hit the floor. I really wasn’t expecting a stomach cancer diagnosis, and I was in a bit of a blur"

"I noticed that my right breast had gotten bigger and this wasn’t normal for me" 

“Coming to terms with the fact that your life is put on pause in some ways, is strange.”

“I hadn’t had an eye test since I was a child, and that you could get cancer in your eye, which a simple eye test could detect, never occurred to me”

“Always follow your instincts. My gut was telling me that something wasn’t right in my body. Sometimes you have to push for further testing, you know your own body best”

"There is still a life with and after a cancer diagnosis”

“I have to say, through the whole experience, my husband was incredible. For a guy who couldn’t initially boil an egg, he really rallied around me and the kids. I don’t know what I would have done without all the support."

"I have learnt that each day is a blessing.”

"I ask myself, what can my family and community gain from my experience?”

“My Irish Cancer Society nurse has been amazing and has been there for me every step of the way. This support was invaluable.”

"If you are like me and living with cancer, try live your life as normal as you can. Don’t beat yourself up when you know you can’t do something. Be empathetic with yourself."

"Ovarian cancer can be difficult to catch, so it’s so important to be vigilant of any little changes that take place in your body. Always get yourself checked out and push for answers.”

“Hearing the words was surreal. Even though I pretty much knew what was coming, to hear it said out loud, it took me back. I was only 36 at the time, so felt I was too young for cancer."

“Before my diagnosis, I didn’t have my priorities right in my life, now I’m doing one thing at a time and life is less stressful."

"Having the Irish Cancer Society Volunteer Driver service was such a blessing. It was incredible, someone was always waiting to bring me to chemo and bring me home."

“I’m sharing my story to let people know that what you’re feeling is valid. The counselling really helped me to prepare for that. You do worry it will come back."

“If my story helps one person, I’ll be happy. I think especially men can put things off, but if there is something wrong, go get it checked. It mightn’t be serious but go get it sorted. If I hadn’t, I might not be here today to tell my story.”

“I look back now and I think ‘what was I made of?’ You never realise how strong you can be, and what you can get through."

"If you don't feel right, or have any doubts at all, get checked out again. It’s so important.”

“Being involved in that research started me on a journey and since then, I’ve thrown myself into things because it is so important that the patient’s voice gets heard.”

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I get to give back and be there for people going through what my own Caroline did three times.”

“We were getting married abroad in May and the diagnosis made me more determined than ever to push ahead with our wedding as I wanted to ensure that my husband and children would be protected and financially supported.”

“I think we need to create that awareness around different treatments and how not everybody will look and go through the same thing when they have cancer.”

“Now that I know the signs and symptoms of this cancer, I know the importance of raising awareness and that’s why I want to share my story”

“I am living with advanced, incurable cancer but I have to say, the medically induced menopause has actually been more difficult to deal with. It has hit me like a train.”

“It’s almost as if I had to de-programme myself from associating cancer with death, which is much easier said than done.”

“Even if just one person reads my story and says okay, my next birthday, I’m getting a check-up, that would be worth me sharing what I’ve gone through.”

“That has been the big thing for me to come to terms with – just how lucky I was to notice the lump and to get it checked out when I did.”