‘It means a lot to us': Sheehan family to run Echo Mini Marathon in memory of their mum

The Sheehan family from Charleville have been on many journeys together. And then some.

“Our dad did a motorbike run from his home in Milford to the Isle of Man on his vintage Honda motorbike that he restored himself,” says Ciara, who, along with her sister Triona, and her nieces, are taking on their next journey together, taking part in the 45th annual The Echo Mini-Marathon on September 20 in memory of Delia Sheehan and to support the Mercy Hospital Foundation.

“Dad did the motorbike run for the Mercy Foundation in gratitude for the wonderful care and top-class medical treatment he received at the Mercy Hospital when he had a kidney removed after a cancer diagnosis,” says Ciara.

Mossie wanted to give back. Lovingly restoring his motorbike for a momentous journey, he set off in his quest to raise vital funds that make such an impact on patients and their families at The Mercy Hospital Cork.

“He says the staff and the medical care and treatment he received at the Mercy Hospital Cork merited ‘top marks’,” says Ciara.

He rallied the troops.

“Dad, accompanied on the motorbike run by his son and son-in-law, raised €6,700 for the Mercy.”

Mossie’s wife, Delia, went through her own journey, cared for by the Mercy Hospital and by the Lee Road Clinic when she was diagnosed with cancer.

The beloved wife and mother sadly passed away just over two months ago at age 65.

Delia, resilient and positive, like her husband, went on a lovely journey, all the way to Tipperary when her son got married.

“She was great for the style,” says Ciara.

“When she was going through her cancer treatment, she loved showing the girls at the Lee Road Clinic pictures of outfits she was looking at to wear for the wedding that was coming up.

“Mum had a soft spot for the Lee Road Clinic, and the girls there became friends to her.”

How did the wedding go?

“Mam had a ball at Maurice’s wedding and at the Glen of Aherlow Hotel,” says Ciara.

“We were all delighted for her because she went downhill after that.”

After Delia underwent further tests, a cancerous lump was discovered in her oesophagus.

“Mum went straight to the Mercy in early September last year,” says Ciara.

“A treatment plan was put in place. Surgery wasn’t an option, and mum had 10 rounds of chemotherapy treatment.

“The cancer had decreased by Christmas, but there were nodules found in her tummy and her treatment was altered.

“Mum lost loads of weight; she lost her strength. She felt very tired all the time, and she didn’t make much progress. In January and February, Mum was put on a management treatment plan.”

Delia celebrated her husband’s birthday in May.

“A scan in April showed up a clot in mum’s lung,” says Ciara.

“The clot went to the brain, and mum suffered a stroke and a bleed in the oesophagus occurred.”

Delia’s family were with her all the way on her arduous journey.

They kept the home fires burning, like Delia always did.

“Dad and I were at home keeping things going,” says Ciara.

“We went to the hospital every day. The staff there were wonderful. Everyone rowed in.

“My brother took Mum to all her hospital and clinic appointments. The minute Mum was diagnosed, we all rallied around. We were all there for her. Dad was willing to do anything for her.”

Delia was always a positive person.

“And she was never sick,” says Ciara.

“She was only in hospital ever before her cancer diagnosis to have a baby!”

Delia was optimistic.

“She often put on her coat to come home.”

It wasn’t to be.

“The bleed in the oesophagus developed toxicity problems,” says Ciara.

“She lost her appetite, and she got weaker. The doctors at the Mercy tried radiotherapy treatment for six weeks. They couldn’t do enough for her.”

Delia was well cared for in her second home.

“That’s what the Mercy was like for Mum,” says Ciara.

“It was her second home.”

Delia was able to leave her second home on occasion.

“We were out for coffee one day, and I said to mum, ‘we are signing up to do The Echo Mini Marathon next year for the Mercy.”

What did Delia think of that?

“She said, ‘Are you really’? Mum thought that was hilarious!”

The important journey, now a family affair, was far from a laughing matter.

“We told mum we had seen the ad to sign up to do the mini marathon,” says Ciara.

“We told her we were doing it in gratitude for the Mercy because of the wonderful care and vital medical treatment that both she and dad got at the hospital.

“They took care of our mam, and they took care of our dad too.

“Mum was in St Joseph’s Ward in the Mercy and then in St Anthony’s Ward, where she received the best of care and medical attention.”

The Sheehans are all rowing in together like they always do.

“Myself, Triona, Lauren, Katelyn, and Emily, are all taking part in The Echo Mini Marathon,” says Ciara.

“The rest will be cheering us on! It will be a great family day out.”

Like Delia and Mossie, who had a special bond together, the girls, in stepping out together on September 20, have a common goal bonding them together.

“It means a lot to us,” says Ciara.

“I know mum would be happy for us.”

Delia always knew the family who journey together, always stick together.

They will be taking in the magical atmosphere that always prevails on the day of The Echo Women’s Mini Marathon.

“We’ll be walking the route,” says Ciara.

But then, on their important journey, they might take off. The Sheehans could hit the ground running.

“We might start running when the adrenaline kicks in!”

• To support their fundraiser, see: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/CS27598001
• To register for The Echo Women’s Mini Marathon, see: https://www.echolive.ie/minimarathon/