Bríd's Story.

Bríd was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in March 2023. It's difficult to describe what you are feeling or thinking when you are taken into a treatment room by a Doctor in Temple Street Children's Hospital and told your daughter has cancer.

There really is no easy way to tell it or to have to listen to it. The world around you and your family shatters. The news affects so many people in your child's life, especially their own young friends.

Bríd was transffered a couple of days later to Crumlin Children's Hospital which is the cancer treatment centre for children from all over Ireland, she had lots more tests to confirm her full diagnosis. The waiting is probably one of the worst parts of it all, You are certainly bargaining with whoever your god is for those days and nights, but it is all absolutely necessary so the exact treatment can be planned to treat whatever type of cancer is diagnosed.

In those first few days Brid began to meet all of the members of Crumlin's Oncology /Haematology team including two special people who were an important part of Bríd's journey, Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) specialist nurse, Joanne O'Mahony and Paediatric AYA Haematologist, Dr. Peter McCarthy, we knew we were in safe hands! (and yes, adolescents are a whole speciality of their own 😉)

Every step of the way Brid was fully aware of what was happening as the amazing Nurses and Doctors kept her informed and explained every detail or, as much as she wanted to hear (which was everything!) 

The Oncology/Haematology ward in Crumlin is called St. John's ward, and many people will hear about it from different places. We had heard about it from watching the Late Late Toy Show and the Toy Show appeal. St John's is no ordinary hospital ward, it's a place where the best people in their field, work. Be they a clinician, a play therapist or a member of the catering or housekeeping staff, they all provide amazing care for the children attending for treatment. The teams working on the day units and the ward have the knowledge, competence, kindness, sense of fun and love for their job to get the children through the difficult process of treatment. You are struck when you are on the day unit or the ward, of the acceptance, tolerance and bravery of the children and their families in what is undoubtedly a truly terrible time in their lives. But like us, they were surrounded and supported by people who could give them that vital support and strength to get through.

Childhood Cancer Charities like Aoibheann's Pink Tie, Gearóid's Smile, The Irish Cancer Society, and many more, all play a major part in helping families on a very practical level, day to day to get by, during what is a very difficult time. To give an example of the level of practical help, Brid loves Achill and swimming in the sea but has a central line in her chest which under no circumstances is allowed to get wet. Bríd's Nurse Specialist Joanne put us in touch with Linda from Aoibheann's Pink Tie,  "We'll get a dry suit custom made from England", measure her up and we'll sort it. The Dry suit arrived a few weeks later and is amazing, it has made a massive difference to Brid's well-being throughout treatment.  That level of problem-solving and practical support is not possible without your donations.

Please donate and it will make a difference to the next child diagnosed with cancer. Bríd is still in the process of recovering but she is in very safe hands with her brilliant team at Crumlin and all of the supporting charities and many friends and family helping her and sending her support love and prayers. Thank you all 💗