Cork mum: 'I remember writing to my baby in case I wouldn't see her grow up'

“No matter what stage of the cancer journey you are on, you are not alone.”

That’s the message from Grainne Prendergast, manager of Cork ARC Bantry, which offers information, practical help, counselling and complementary therapies for people diagnosed with the illness.

And that was the message Gillean Guy got loud and clear when she needed support during, and after, her arduous cancer journey.

“I got tremendous help from Cork ARC Bantry,” says Gillean, a mother of two.

In 2002, she was diagnosed with the early stages of malignant melanoma on her left forearm.

“I was five months pregnant,” says Gillean. “The melanoma was treated with a wider excision, the most surgical procedure to remove melanoma. It was followed up for more than five years and it didn’t click why.”

The spectre of cancer was still present.

She underwent another excision in 2005, when she had a basal cell carcinoma on her forehead.

The worst was yet to come.

“In 2008/2009, I was diagnosed with NHL (Non- Hodgins Follicular Lymphona). I was 40, and my kids were five and two.”

It was a difficult time for Gillean and her family “My dad had died only seven months before, from lung cancer,” says Gillean.

“My symptoms of NHL were not typical. I thought I was finding it hard dealing with the grief of losing dad, being a young mother, and running my own business.

“I suffered from chronic fatigue. I could sleep for 12 hours a day and still wake up exhausted.”

Gillean had to have six months of chemotherapy, followed by two years of top-up treatment, quarterly, with monoclonal antibodies. “It took 18 months to two years for recovery and to get my stamina back,” she says.

After 10 years in remission, she was shocked to discover the disease had transformed to a more aggressive form, called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL).

“I had to travel to Dublin for treatment,” says Gillean. “I was really sick, and I couldn’t cope with the nausea.

“I was lucky my mother could stay with the children.

“I had to undergo six months of in-patient treatment followed by two years’ top-up treatment with quarterly treatments of monoclonal antibodies.”

Gillean went through the mill physically and mentally.

“It was mentally difficult,” she says. “The awful nausea I suffered caused me terrible anxiety. I’d be fine when I left the hospital, but when I returned for further treatment, I only had to smell the lunch, and I would be violently sick.”

Gillean, becoming familiar with St James’s Hospital, bonded with some of her fellow patients. “By 2018/2019, two patients died in six months,” she says. “I had kept in touch with them, and it was mentally challenging when their deaths occurred. You have to unpack the grief by yourself. I’m over it now.”

But her journey with cancer wasn’t over. It reared its ugly head yet again. Out of remission once more, Gillan was again diagnosed with NHL. That wasn’t all.

“I was diagnosed with NHL, very early stages, and with early stage breast cancer after a mammogram breast check,” she says.

“I had two doses of radiotherapy to my head where the NhfL was located. I had a breast lumpectomy, but I had no chemotherapy due to preservation of bone marrow because of NFL, possibly recurring in the future.”

Gillean went through the mill yet again. “I had ten days of radiotherapy, followed up with five years of Anastrozole meds. I’ll have bi-annual check-ups and annual mammograms until I am 70 years old.”

Of all her treatments, this stage scared her the most.

“The breast cancer frightened me the most,” says Gillean. “I was lucky to have a lumpectomy and thankful the lymphoma did no damage to my bone marrow. But it was terrifying.”

The haven of Cork ARC Bantry was waiting in the wings to support her.

“I realised there was support to be had here,” says Gillean. “I got in touch with Cork ARC Bantry where I was offered counselling.”

She was offered a lot more.

“There are complementary therapies, exercise programmes, health coaching, mindfulness and oncology nursing support.

“During lockdown, ARC House were very good to stay in touch.”

Covid was difficult for everybody.

“They provided great support for mental wellbeing,” says Gillean.

“Nutritional advice was on offer and that helped my stamina, and my energy levels return.

“When ARC opened up again after covid, various classes were available to take part in. I found ARC to be really motivating, giving us valuable tips to get back on our feet.”

Cork ARC Bantry can be cheerleaders. “They push you and cheer you on to better things health-wise, and mentally wise,” says Gillean.

After her long, arduous cancer journey, she has found her feet.

“I’ve come on leaps and bounds with the help of ARC House Bantry,” says Gillean. “I was very down and upset suffering two cancers at the same time.”

Gillean has bounced back.

“I remain positive. Looking back, having melanoma when I was pregnant, I worried that my unborn daughter could be affected. I remember writing a letter to her in case I wouldn’t see her grow up.”

Gillean, 57, her partner, and her children are getting on with life.

“Cork ARC built me up,” Gillean says. “I realise the huge benefit of it. The people there support each other, and offer company to each other.”

They offer even more.

“The humour and the laughter are all part of it. In the last six months I have felt normal again.”

Life is good.

“I want to volunteer for ARC House in the future so I can help someone else,” says Gillean.

ARC House Bantry provides cancer support services to the people of West Cork. All services are free of charge.

Cork ARC’s mission is to provide support to those with a cancer diagnosis and their loved ones, empowering them with compassion and understanding.

With a dedicated team of professionals and trained volunteers, Cork ARC Bantry aim to ease the emotional burden, inspire resilience and nurture hope, fostering a strong sense of community and well-being.

ARC House Bantry Bayview, Gouree Beg, Bantry Co. Cork. Phone: 027-53891. Email westcork@corkcancersupport.ie

After a gruelling battle against various cancers, Cork mum Gillean Guy tells CHRIS DUNNE about how Cork ARC Bantry were a great support in her times of need