I was six months pregnant when my husband was diagnosed with aggressive cancer

SAMANTHA Halpin was six months pregnant when her husband, Ben, received an aggressive cancer diagnosis.

At the time, she was dealing with hyperemesis (crippling nausea), while the couple, who were both 30 at the time, were also working hard to launch their new joint business.

In a moment they’ll never forget, and in a stroke of luck given the odds, Sam and Ben’s son Hugo was born the day after he finished his final round of chemotherapy.

Ben is now cancer-free, and the couple are only just starting to appreciate the epic challenges they overcame and are sharing the life-lessons they learned along the way.

Sam and Ben met on the first day of college in UCC , where they became “college sweethearts” and, 11 years later, tied the knot in France in 2021.

Ben, originally of Douglas, joined the family business, The Halpin Group, a food logistics and distribution company, in 2013. In 2016, he bought the business, and has since grown, sold and relaunched the same business.

Sam, originally from Clonakilty, has over ten years’ experience in finance. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish her own business at the beginning of 2021, Creative Solutions by Sam, specialising in web design and marketing.

“During Covid, we seized the opportunity to embark on a new venture together and set up our own financial advisory company, Halpin Wealth Management,” said Sam.

We saw a gap in the market for both young and female finance advisors and wanted to educate the Irish people, who are not taught enough about the practical elements of finance in school, about the importance of financial planning and empowerment.

Post-Covid, both of their own businesses were starting to get busy again, and the couple were eagerly awaiting the outcome of their application with the Central Bank of Ireland for their new business.

“In the midst of these preparations, I was six months pregnant with Hugo,” recalls Sam, who was also grappling with hyperemesis, a condition marked by intense nausea and vomiting. Cariban, necessary medication for Sam to function, came at a significant cost, around €400-500 per month throughout Sam’s pregnancy.

Despite the physical and financial toll it took on her, the couple remained focused on the future, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their little one, and at the six-month mark they celebrated with a gender reveal party, learning they were expecting a boy.

Life was good for the Frankfield-based couple.

However, just a week later, our lives were changed forever by the devastating news of my husband’s diagnosis with high-grade lymphoma, a form of blood cancer.

His diagnosis only came about as the couple do yearly blood tests in a bid to be proactive with their health.

“Ben didn’t really have any symptoms; he was just back from a stag and had night sweats. He thought this was just the alcohol leaving his system, but this, along with the results of his blood test, led his GP, Dr Tadgh O’Sullivan, to investigate further. Out of an abundance of caution, he sent Ben to the Mercy hospital for a chest X-ray,” said Sam.

“From the looks on the junior doctor’s faces, I knew something was up,” remembers Ben, who was told he had a 10cm x 7cm mass in the centre of his chest and that it was presumably cancer.

From there, a full week of testing ensued and Ben was diagnosed with large diffuse b-cell lymphoma (LDBCL) and had to undergo chemotherapy called R-CHOP.

The treatment plan saw him stay in hospital from Monday to Friday, during which time he was on a constant chemo drip.

This was during 2021, when not all Covid restrictions were lifted and heavily pregnant Sam was at times not allowed to visit Ben.

Ben’s brother, Cian, moved in with Sam on these week-long chemo sessions, to help her, while Ben worked from his hospital bed to keep the businesses going.

He had to do six rounds of chemo and, thanks to Ben’s consultant, Dr Clodagh Keohane, working closely with Sam’s consultant, Dr Richard Horgan, Ben finished his final round of chemo on a Thursday evening and Hugo, their son, was born Friday morning by C-section.

At the time the couple were in ‘fight’ mode, and it’s only looking back now, they realise what they went through.

“We found strength in taking each day as it came. We adopted the mantra ‘just keep swimming’ from Finding Nemo,” said Sam.

Some days were incredibly tough, with Ben experiencing the side-effects of chemotherapy, while others saw me grappling with the effects of pregnancy and my hyperemesis.

“Despite the trials, we leaned on each other for support, finding solace in the shared determination to overcome our obstacles.

“Surprisingly, maintaining our work commitments provided a sense of normalcy and purpose amidst the chaos. It gave us something concrete to focus on beyond our personal struggles, allowing us to channel our energy into productive endeavours.”

The looming date of October 21, when Hugo was due to be born, served as a beacon of hope for the couple.

“We held onto the belief that we had to make it to that day for him, and that drove us to persevere through the toughest moments.

Together, we formed an unbreakable unit, facing every obstacle with the unwavering belief that ‘We got this.’

“This mantra became our rallying cry, a constant reminder that no matter how daunting the challenges seemed, we were stronger together.

“We knew that, even on the toughest days, when one of us could only muster 10%, the other would step in with 90%, ensuring that we never faltered in our journey.

“It was this mutual commitment to each other’s wellbeing, and our shared goal of bringing our son, Hugo, into the world, that propelled us forward.”

Reflecting on their journey, they know they’re stronger than they ever realised. But practically, they also realise how fortunate they were to be financially protected.

“When Ben first started his career, his financial advisor, Jim Barry, ensured that he had all the necessary safeguards in place. They had specified illness protection and private health insurance.

This foresight proved invaluable when Ben received his diagnosis, as the pay-out from Irish Life came through within a remarkably swift three weeks.

“This financial safety net allowed us to navigate the challenges of Ben’s illness with a degree of stability and security that would have been unattainable otherwise.

“Having this support meant he could prioritise his health without the added stress of financial uncertainty.”

This ethos of being financially prepared for the unexpected is something at the core of Halpin Wealth Management, a firm that actively promotes women in finance and encourages females to take charge of their finances.

When Ben was diagnosed, it was a moment that tested our resolve and determination.

“However, instead of derailing our dream of launching Halpin Wealth Management, the diagnosis only strengthened our commitment to helping others navigate life’s uncertainties. The experience reinforced the importance of being financially prepared for the unexpected.

“Thanks to our financial advisor, we were as prepared as one can be to face such a challenge.

“This realisation deepened our resolve to share our knowledge and expertise with others, helping them to proactively plan for their futures,” said Sam.

Ben had a scan in Christmas week and was given the all clear; the couple can now look to a promising future together.

“These challenging times undoubtedly had a profound impact on both of us. For me, witnessing Ben’s strength and resilience taught me the true meaning of courage and perseverance. It deepened my appreciation for the fragility of life and reinforced the importance of cherishing every moment.

“I realised just how strong I was and that we could take on anything together.

“Becoming a mother in the midst of it all, also transformed me in ways I never imagined. Having someone else to care for, to love, and to cherish gave new depth to my understanding of life’s preciousness. I treasure every moment with Hugo, Ben, and our dogs Hulk, Meatball, and Cassie.

“As for Ben, undergoing treatment for cancer only reinforced his steadfast refusal to tolerate anyone’s nonsense. If anything, it bolstered his resolve even further.

It deepened his appreciation for life’s simple pleasures and underscored the significance of family and relationships.

While the journey has been challenging, Sam admits, it has only fuelled their passion for making a positive impact in the lives of others.

“Even on the most challenging days, we persevered. Together, we relentlessly pushed forward, driven by the belief that preparation and determination can overcome any obstacle.

“Every effort we made, every business decision, was with Hugo’s future in mind. He’s our little CEO, inspiring us to reach greater heights.”