'You try to not sweat the small stuff' - Laois woman reflects on her cancer journey

Life is very different now for Laois woman Susan Moore after overcoming Hodgkin's lymphoma during Covid.

Susan, who has lived in Portarlington her entire life, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in July 2021. When she received the dreaded diagnosis after a PET scan and biopsies, Susan told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that her life came to a halt.

"When I look back on it now, I realise you're on a road and then when you get a diagnosis like that you're kind of parked. Your life is parked up there on the side of the road for the few months or whatever length of time that you're getting treatment and you see everyone else going on with their lives and you're just stuck and you just have to get through," she explained.

On top of being faced with cancer, Susan's diagnosis came amidst the Covid-19 pandemic which meant she couldn't have any visitors while she was going through treatment.

When she reached the end of her treatment in February 2022, Susan got Covid despite all the precautions she and her two sons were taking at home to prevent her from getting the virus. She then developed pneumonia and ended up on oxygen and in isolation for three weeks.

"We tried our best to keep Covid out of the house. But once one got it, we all got it and then that was it. That was hard because I had nobody for three weeks. I was just in a room on my own. I thank God for video calls and Whatsapp!"

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With no one able to visit Susan in hospital and no one in her family having any experience with cancer, Susan described it as a lonely experience.

"It was tough. It was lonely. You're going to all these appointments and having all this treatment, but it is lonely as well. There wouldn't be anyone else in my family that would've been through the treatment to talk to about it. That's why the counselling in the Cuisle Cancer Support Centre was so good."

Despite the challenges, Susan looked back on the experience with a deep gratitude for the support she received from her two sons and mother, as well as the Cuisle Cancer Support Centre in Portlaoise.

"My sons at home always made me laugh and my mother who lived with us. Between them and the incredible people in the Cuisle Centre, and the doctors and nurses in Tullamore Hospital are just brilliant."

The Cuisle Cancer Support Centre in Portlaoise provides emotional support to people affected by cancer including those who care for them, from the time of diagnosis, throughout treatment and afterwards. The services provided by the centre were a major help to Susan as she battled cancer.

The Portarlington woman urged anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis or is going through treatment to avail of all the supports available.

"You have to get on with it and you have to go through the treatment, unfortunately, to get out the other side of it. But I would definitely say accept any help and any support that is out there."

Making connections with people who were in the same boat was a big element of this for Susan.

Now cancer free, Susan continues to maintain these connections through Relay For Life which fundraises for crucial cancer services as well as provides a way for survivors to share their stories and make meaningful friendships.

Life has changed for Susan since she first received the diagnosis, and her outlook is certainly more optimistic.

"My perspective has definitely changed because you try to not sweat the small stuff. The easiest example I have is I have never been into fitness, but I was thinking about joining the gym. I was like 'oh my God, I don't know if I can do that.' But you've had cancer, you've had chemo, you can go to the gym."