Recalling her own past health concern experiences and moved just now by the courage of a best-selling author, our columnist has a timely reminder to readers during Breast Cancer Awareness Month of the importance of being breast aware…
When I heard best-selling author Emma Hannigan, or as I like to call her, ‘the matron saint of modern women,’ had been diagnosed with cancer for the tenth time this week…yes, you read it correctly, the tenth time, I immediately contacted her to show my solidarity and offer her any support that I could possibly give. However, this tough lady, who, despite her ordeal down through the years, still continues to ooze positivity, beauty and strength as well as display the most amazing, mind-blowing resilience that I have ever witnessed. She actually tut-tutted her recent diagnosis with a “sure I’ve had this type of stuff before.” You’ve guessed it, Emma doesn’t do self-pity.
While I’ve never actually met Emma face to face, we have chatted extensively over the ‘phone, swapped war stories and exchanged emails; but it has to be said, following each encounter, this woman’s courage renders me speechless, awestruck and feeling incredibly humbled by the way she refuses to allow the big ‘C’ define her.
You see for Emma, a talented best-selling author, wife and mother of two teenagers, cancer just seems to hang around like an unwanted memory that stubbornly refuses to die. A haunting presence, that, every so often, just as she gets the ‘all clear,’ identical to the enveloping fog we’ve all experienced over the past week in Roscommon. Cancer raises its ugly head, and, unfelt, unseen, undetected, save for a routine scan, like some dastardly evil manifestation, storms back to enshroud its casualty like a menacing spectre.
As is the case for many Irish women, Emma carries the BRCA1 gene, meaning she is predisposed to cancer and, as she told me, rather than live in fear, in 2006, she decided to take evasive action and underwent a bi-lateral mastectomy (both breasts removed) and a bi-lateral oophorectomy (both ovaries removed). Incredibly, this woman did everything she could possibly do to prevent cancer from striking. However, just four months following her ‘preventative’ surgery, she contracted cancer, telling me, “it’s been in my head, my neck and across my chest.” Now this scared the bejaysus out of me because, as I’ve shared previously, both sides of my family are affected by cancer; and of course I went through a particularly scary time in 2012 when, one Thursday, following a routine cervical smear and an ovarian scan, my surgeon sat me down to tell me I needed a total abdominal radical hysterectomy…”like, next Tuesday.” I was shocked, but having the surgery was a no-brainer; I had a ticking time bomb inside me and I wanted rid. ASAP!
However, two weeks post-surgery, a routine mammogram – been having them annually since my 30’s due to the family’s dodgy genes – found ‘breast abnormalities,’ and so, before my hysterectomy stitches had time to dissolve, I was sent to another hospital for a breast scan and a biopsy and, so convinced was the surgeon she’d have to operate, a titanium clip was shot into my right boob in an ‘X’ marks the spot type of thingy.
I can tell you all sorts of emotions went through my head and I was not nearly as brave as Emma. Besides, as I told her, no way could I have pulled off the Right Said Fred look as fabulously as she had. Also I felt the support network was non-existent at the hospital I attended, and, if I hadn’t been someone who researches, asks questions and had the wherewithal to ring the breast cancer helpline and contact a journalist friend who’d survived breast cancer while I waited for an inexcusable ten whole days for my results, then I believe I could possibly have dropped dead with the fear and the dread.
You see the hospital in question –a major Dublin one – treated me like a statistic rather than an individual. In short, their consideration of me was definitely not person-centred, rather one size fits all – and that’s just not good enough for any fearful patient. I will add that my fabulous, at that time new doctor here in Roscommon, Barry Cosgrove, was a great support.
Thank God, and the angels who answered my prayers, my ‘abnormalities’ were benign; nothing to worry about, and I’ve been discharged into the breast check programme for monitoring. Also, only last month, having undergone gruelling six-monthly, then annual, vault smears to detect any possible residual cells, I received the ‘all clear’ following my hysterectomy. Elation does not even come close to describing my feelings.
You see readers, when faced with the possibility of a life-threatening situation, it’s important to harness your emotions and to try and remain positive. Easier said than done, I know, because I was not only anxious, I was absolutely petrified, and, bloody big drama queen that I am, became convinced I was going to die. I was nowhere as brave or as calm as Emma, and I feel now, part of that was because the hospital didn’t take the time to counsel me or discuss with me what may, or indeed, to put a positive spin on things, what may not, happen; they just fobbed me off with “We’ll discuss it in 10 days’ time when your results come back,” leaving me shocked, vulnerable and responsible for sourcing my own support. Wholly unacceptable!
So ladies (and gents) October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please log onto www.breastcancerireland.com – they’re an amazing charity – and download their free app to find out how to check your breasts and help them aim to transform breast cancer into a treatable illness; and if you’re worried or have questions, call them on PH: 1800 940 025. Remember, breast cancer will affect one in every twelve women in Ireland, and even though it’s important to keep in mind that not all ‘abnormalities’ are cancerous, women and their families need understanding and support while waiting on those results.
There’s also a wonderful Roscommon Cancer Care Service in Vita House beside this newspaper’s office, so give them a call if you need help and reassurance on PH: 090-6625898.
I know that the unstoppable Emma Hannigan is going to be okay; she’s an amazingly strong, positive, talented woman who has all the essentials for a vibrant, full and wonderful life bubbling within her and she will never allow anything to extinguish that light. I wish her every happiness, health and success and I respect her enormously. Check Emma out at www.emmahannigan.com
