Sorry can you repeat that doc?

For most people it was an average Wednesday. Queues for Costa Coffee, people attempting to cram an extra dose of energy before they start their long day of work. Little did they know that the girl standing behind them in the queue, wearing a head scarf, looking worried and distracted was on her way up to an appointment to learn her fate. She was on her way to St. James hospital to learn if the toxic harsh chemicals that travelled through her body over the past few months were successful at killing those unwanted malignant cells. She was travelling with a sickening ball of nervousness in the pit of her stomach wishing and hoping beyond anything that she would get the result she could only dream of.

I felt every second pass in the oncology waiting room. Every time a door opened our necks would stretch to see if it was my doctor coming to beckon me into her clinic room. After what seemed like forever, my sisters and myself sitting in silence or amusing ourselves with nervous chit chat, my name was finally called. A flurry to gather our bags and then we were in my doctor’s room, ready to learn if the torture of the past few months was worth it. I felt like I was on the ascent of a rollercoaster, suddenly deciding I didn’t want to be on it anymore but stuck with no other option but to close my eyes and hope it finishes quickly.

“Your scans were fantastic, you have responded to the treatment excellently”, begins my doctor. Absolutely fantastic news, although I felt that there must be a ‘but’ coming at any time. She continued to say that the scans were completely clear, no sign of cancer present at all. All three of us, ready to bombard the doctor with many questions in the event of receiving bad news were just dumbfounded. I couldn’t talk, couldn’t form one question in my head. I felt there must be a catch and my sisters must have thought that also because the first question asked was ‘When you say clear, what exactly do you mean?”. My doctor proceeded to tell us everything you could only wish to happen but feel it would be too good, too amazing to actually materialise.

No sign of cancer, wow. It is the best result I could have hoped for. The future is not guaranteed, just like the future is not guaranteed for anybody. Leading a healthy lifestyle with a good diet and exercise along with listening to my body is the way forward. As the doctor said I must enjoy this momentous occasion. It’s not every day you are faced with the most gruelling obstacle and overcome it even though all the odds are stacked against you. I’ll never forget the 12th June 2015, the first day I went to a&e with a suspected appendicitis and 20th January 2016, the day I was told there was no cancer detectable in my body. I have won the battle, now onwards and upwards to win the war.

16 Comments

  1. This is fantastic news! So delighted to read that xxx

  2. hi sarah, i am so happy that u have responded to your treatment. keep positive darling your doing fantastic.

  3. Brilliant, Girl!! Absolutely fantastic news ..”Onwards and upwards”

  4. Fantastic news kid, beyond delighted for you :) :) :)

  5. Bawling again. But in a good way. So happy for you… ♥️♥️♥️

  6. U are an amazing inspirational girl .

  7. Absolutely fantastic news!!!! Over the moon for you, such an inspiration to all xxx

  8. Fantastic news defo an inspiration to all.

  9. Joe & Jillian Harrison

    Congrats! We are so happy to hear your good news!

  10. Great new, delighted for you xx

    • Catherine Kavanagh

      Hi Sarah. Congratulations on your good news. There are no words to cover the feeling you get when you hear ‘you’re clear of cancer’. I remember the date I found out I had cancer 6 years ago. I don’t remember the date I was told I was clear but I remember the feeling, afraid at first to believe what I’d heard and then the relief of knowing I’m clear. I have been cancer free for six years now thank God. I did have a few ups and downs getting back to full recovery but now I can truly say I’m back to 100% good health. You will learn to take things a bit easier for awhile and that you need to rest more. You will also listen to your body more to keep in good health. You have survived a very difficult challenge and can now look forward to what ever life brings. I wish you good health and happiness each day from now on.

  11. Amazing!! Well done Sal, such an inspiration. No bother to ya x x

  12. Brilliant news Sarah.. I’m delighted for you! No doubt your positive attitude played some part in the fight..

  13. Sal Carthy….you are one of the strongest people I have had the pleasure to meet. The openness and honesty with which you have shared your story is admirable. So proud of you and beyond delighted with your fab news!

  14. Fantastic news, wishing you a very happy and healthy life ahead, the world is your oyster x

  15. That is the best news ever. Delighted for you Sarah. You had such a fantastic approach and attitude,we have all been touched and inspired by your spirit and fight. Enjoy the celebrations.

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