Theresaisurgingpeople tolistentotheirbodies
AFTER LOSING TWO SISTERS TO CANCER, THERESA TYRRELL IS ASKING PEOPLE TO GET ANY ACHES AND PAINS CHECKED OUT, WRITES
A WOMAN who lost two beloved sisters to two cancer in a very short space of time is urging people to listen to their bodies and to get any strange pains or niggles checked out.
Theresa Tyrrell’s life changed in a matter of months when she lost her sisters Nora (Lalor) and Bernie (Tyrrell), aged 47 and 48 respectively, to two different forms of cancer.
‘Life can change so quickly and mine did with the death of my two sisters and best friends,’ said Arklow woman Theresa Tyrrell, who now lives in Dublin.
‘We were so close and in contact every day. We really were the best of friends. There was no history of cancer in our family. You never think it’s going to be cancer and that other people get it. The lesson that I have learned is that we all need to stop and slow down. We need to listen to our bodies, to stop running, thinking of the next thing and we need to be present,’ Theresa said.
Nora and Bernie’s illnesses shook the Tyrrell family to the core, including their devoted mother Hannah, who still lives in Arklow.
A mother of two daughters, Nora was a very busy woman, who was combining working in Busy Fingers pre-school in Aughrim and studying for a Masters in Childcare.
She was devoted to all areas of her life and was a much-loved teacher to her pupils.
‘In July of 2015, Nora was feeling very tired and we all thought she was low in iron – something that a lot of the family suffers with from time to time. She has been out for the day and, in the afternoon, Bernie called round to see her and she literally couldn’t get off the couch. This concerned us and when she got bloods back, they revealed that she was indeed low in iron so she got injections,’ Theresa said.
A short time later when Nora began suffering stomach pains, a scan revealed a tumour.
‘Nora had stage four bowel cancer and was told it was terminal. The cancer had spread and she passed away on December 13, 2015, just a couple of months after the diagnosis.’
While Nora was in her final weeks in St Vincent’s Hospital, Bernie unfortunately received her own diagnosis.
Many people will have known Bernie through her work at the Brockagh Centre in Laragh, where she was a dedicated member of staff and was known for her excellent work ethic and kind and thoughtful nature.
Bernie was also into fitness and was training for the 2015 Dublin City Marathon. It was for this reason, that when a stitch in her side persis- tently bothered her, she dismissed it as a result of heavy training.
‘Bernie could sometimes complain of this pain, like a stitch in her side, but thought it was from running. She ran the marathon and, afterwards, decided to go to a healthcare professional and was told that there was something there, that shouldn’t be. A blood test indicated cancer markers and she was diagnosed with Cholangiocarinoma – a very rare form of cancer,’ said Theresa.
At first, Bernie’s medical team were hopeful that treatment would be successful but within weeks her condition had deteriorated and she was told that it was terminal.
Bernie died on February 23, 2016, just two months after Nora.
‘It was a terrible time and for Bernie, when she was diagnosed, she was trying to be strong for Nora. When Bernie died, we grieved for them both at the same time. Nora and Bernie were two givers in life. They loved life and were full of fun. We never thought they were going to die and neither did they,’ said Theresa.
For this reason, she is keen to stress the importance of listening to your body and taking action if you have symptoms which you cannot explain.
‘You have a duty of care to yourself and your family. Many of us are so busy looking after others that we neglect ourselves. If sharing Nora and Bernie’s story achieves anything, I hope it might make people stop and think and be more health aware,’ Theresa said.
While the family rallied around Nora and Bernie before they passed away, Theresa said that she was struck by the vast level of care given to the body, while in many ways the emotional impact of a terminal cancer diagnosis is overlooked.
‘A good death is so important. Nora and Bernie never made it to a hospice. I found that the hospital treats the illness but not the mind. My sisters were under a wonderful medical team in hospital but I would have liked to see more professional, emotional support. As a family, we were all there, but a professional knows the right questions to ask and is experienced in dealing with end of life.’
Theresa said that hospice care enables the patient to ‘ take control back’ and she is very supportive of the new Wicklow Hospice project which will be breaking ground in May.
‘A hospice is where the body and mind are treated as one in a holistic way. It deals with the spiritual side and the emotional state of the patient and their family. It allows the patient to take control and to have the death they want. Death is such an important part of life, and a hospice is vital where there is palliative care to meet your needs at the end of life to help you on your final journey. It prepares you for death and normalises it,’ Theresa said.
To show support for the work of the Wicklow Hospice Foundation, Theresa and her family have organised a fundraising event in memory of their beloved Nora and Bernie.
‘A Night of Music and Fun’ featuring Leslie Dowdall and Black Cherry will take place in the BrookLodge Hotel, Aughrim, on Sunday, May 20 at 7 p.m.
Tickets cost €25 and a raffle and auction will also take place on the night.
For further details, call 087 0954137 or 0402 91310 or email sinead@wicklowhospice.ie.