Daffodil Diaries - Ciara Hayes

“We need to get into the habit of checking our bodies regularly and if something doesn’t feel right, don’t delay, go and get checked out.”

Aged 47, Ciara Hayes, a secondary school teacher and mum to three boys, was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2023.

“It’s a typical mother answer, but when I heard that word, cancer, my thoughts instantly went to my boys. How would they react to the news? How would I protect them from whatever was ahead of me?

I noticed a lump, but lumps had come and gone over the years during different times of my cycle. After a while, as nothing was changing, I decided to get it checked with my GP. She decided to refer me to the breast clinic in St. Vincents hospital for a triple assessment where I got an appointment three weeks later.

I had a mammogram, followed by an ultrasound and biopsy. It was only when a second sonographer was called in that I started to worry. They tried to reassure me while completing the biopsy, but deep down I knew something wasn’t quite right.

On meeting the consultant, I was told that the sonographer saw something, but they would have to wait for the biopsy results. I would get a call with an appointment for the following week and to bring my husband with me.

That was a long week. You are anticipating bad news, but your day-to-day life has to continue. When I went back the following week, the consultant was very upfront – ‘It’s not good news, you have breast cancer’. Thankfully my husband was with me because I didn’t hear anything else the consultant said.

We were taken into another room where a lovely, compassionate nurse answered any questions that we had. Straight away we were discussing surgery and private and public health cover.

"Breaking the news to my children was one of the hardest things that I have ever done. Each dealt with the diagnosis differently."

I underwent a lumpectomy at the end of April where they also removed five lymph nodes to see if the cancer was elsewhere. Unfortunately, they weren’t happy with two of the nodes and so further surgery was needed to remove all the lymph nodes on the left side. Four weeks later I returned for my second surgery. Thankfully, the remaining lymph nodes were clear.

After the surgery my treatment plan was laid out with the oncologist and radiologist. They suggested that we should try and get away as a family before my chemotherapy would start. This was great advice as the next few months were challenging.

Breaking the news to my children was one of the hardest things that I have ever done. Each dealt with the diagnosis differently. I was honest about my diagnosis, and I decided that ‘Cancer’ wouldn’t become some taboo word around the house. As difficult as it would be, I believed that it was important for our family to deal with it openly. So, I spoke about my treatment with them to ensure that they didn’t get their answers from Google!

"Having gone through cancer myself, and even though I didn’t use their supports, I take great comfort knowing the Irish Cancer Society is there to support patients and their families."

I think children bring some normality to your life even though life is far from normal. My routine was kept going for them – drop offs and collections at school and all sports and music practices was essential. You must keep going.

In the end, I completed four out of six cycles of chemotherapy. By the fourth session, I was struggling with various side effects, including shortness of breath, and so after reviewing my case, my medical team were satisfied that I had completed an adequate amount of chemotherapy and would progress with radiotherapy.

I took a break and by the end of November my next stage of treatment began with radiotherapy. As before, the side effects began to creep in. Thankfully the side effects were short lived, just some additional aspects to deal with. Everyone’s cancer experience is different – some will have side effects from treatments and others won’t. By Christmas 2023 all treatments were finished, and the future was beginning to look good again. It’s nearly two years after my diagnosis, and life may be different, but thanks to a great medical team and the support of my family, things are looking good.

Having gone through cancer myself, and even though I didn’t use their supports, I take great comfort knowing the Irish Cancer Society is there to support patients and their families. We’re big GAA family and we went down to Carlow last August to support the annual Hurling for Cancer research match in aid of the Society. My son also co-organised a 12-hour long ‘Tradathon’ last October through his Comhaltas branch in Monkstown raising an incredible €7,400 going directly to support their free services and cancer research.  

I’m sharing my story to raise awareness. We need to get into the habit of checking our bodies regularly and if something doesn’t feel right, don’t delay, go and get checked out.