Daffodil Day

Rachel was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. As part of her treatment, she took part in a clinical trial for a cancer drug. Today, 14 years after her breast ...

We were in a position that we were comfortable enough, we had the mortgage paid, Declan was working.” I was getting radiotherapy for five or six weeks and I stayed there for four. They would have looked after me then for ten years, normally your monitoring and treatment would be five years, but because I was in a trial it was ten. “They’ve a fantastic facility there and it was what I needed. Anyway, they did all the tests, the mammogram and ultrasound were clear, the needle biopsy he did was clear, but he also did a core biopsy as an extra. When you’re having chemo she said, if you don’t want to talk or meet people, close the door and take your time and listen to your body.” You’d come out again, you’d arrange to meet a friend or go for a walk, you’d have a bit more energy and put your best foot forward.” We had exposure to that, but I was 38, I was young, I wasn’t in that mindset, I never took my health for granted but I would have been very fit, very well.” We were going to Dublin to a concert and I said we’ll do that while we’re up. Rachel was then placed on another more established drug, but was still part of the clinical trial. “I wasn’t prepared anyway, it felt very quick, like a rollercoaster. Not that I ever took my health for granted, my Mum was a nurse and we were always mindful of our health, get your bloods done, be aware of it.