Gone Too Soon: Séimí's Story - Orna Brennan

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.Mom to triplet boys Lindsay Harrison joins me in this episode as she shares her son Joshua’s story of Ewings Sarcoma. Joshua and his brothers were all born prematurely, Joshua the smallest of them all. He has had to fight his whole life to be here and while his parents fought along side him with different challenges, nobody could have anticipated childhood cancer.He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the cancer after developing a rash when he was 9 and they were referred to a dermatologist when it wouldn’t clear up and needed a full year of chemotherapy treatment. They became 2 separate families with Lindsay and Joshua in hospital and Justin and their other two boys at home, work and school - with all 3 boys handling this new reality differently. We talk about the diagnosis, his treatment and how as an autistic child he found it all so overwhelming. We also talk about the supports and how as a family they coped, the value of peer to peer support  and the real impact on a parents nervous system during and most importantly after treatment ends. Childhood Cancer Ireland and our clinicial Psychologist Dr. Mairead Brennan can be a huge help to families. Please text GOLD to 50300 and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.Childhood Cancer Ireland is a charity founded by and led by parents of children with cancer who know that one of the greatest sources of strength for this fight, is conversation. As a non-government funded organisation, Childhood Cancer Ireland values every single donation. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.We are joined today by a son and dad team, Rob and Conor Crabbe.Conor is 13 and was diagnosed with ALL when he was 10 and we talk about looking forward to hopefully finishing treatment this summer, about how hard it's been to miss school, time with friends and never knowing when a temperature might hit. Conor has changed a lot over the last 3 years and he looks back on his beads of courage with pride and understanding how much he has gone through. We also hear his dad's perspective from symptoms to diagnosis to having to stay calm, positive and keeping the show firmly on the road in work, at home and in his relationship with Conor.Please text GOLD to 50300 and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.Childhood Cancer Ireland is a charity founded by and led by parents of children with cancer who know that one of the greatest sources of strength for this fight, is conversation. As a non-government funded organisation, Childhood Cancer Ireland values every single donation. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.May is Brain Tumour Awareness Month. Brain tumours are the second most common cause of cancer in children in Ireland. Always speak to your GP about any unusual signs and symptoms your child is experiencing. This episode discusses the loss of a child to cancer.While this conversation is essential for families who have experienced this grief, it may be understandably upsetting and so we encourage you to protect your emotional wellbeing. You’ll find more information on Childhood Cancer Ireland’s bereavement supports in the show notes and on childhoodcancer.ieOrna Brennan was working a neurosurgical nurse in Temple Street on St. Gabriel's Ward (the brain tumour ward) when she became a mam and had her son Séimí in 2014. She said goodbye to all her colleagues assuming she wouldnt see them while on maternity leave but when Séimí was 2 months old, Orna noticed that he was making funny eye movements, ones she recognised from work. While in for an MRI Orna knew something was wrong because of how quickly everything was happening and they were told they found a tumour Shunts, surgeries, a stroke while in theatre with left side paralysis, then meningitis all before his first birthday and still 'Séimí bounced back each time.  But in 2017 a new cancer in his cerebospinal fluid changed everything and with a little life of 3 years and 3 months, 'Séimí passed away at home with Orna and his dad Dave by his side. Séimí's fought for his whole life - but his cancer was not who he was.As Orna takes us through - he was a big brother, a best pal, he brought sunshine to the ward with his 'Séimí shuffle and he was brave beyond measure and left his mark on their family and the team on St. Gabriels Ward. Please text GOLD to 50300 and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.Childhood Cancer Ireland is a charity founded by and led by parents of children with cancer who know that one of the greatest sources of strength for this fight, is conversation. As a non-government funded organisation, Childhood Cancer Ireland values every single donation. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.May is Brain Tumour Awareness Month. Brain tumours are the second most common cause of cancer in children in Ireland. Like a lot of childhood cancers, the symptoms can be varied and can be similar to other childhood illnesses. Always speak to your GP about any unusual signs and symptoms your child is experiencing.Sinead Egan joins me in this episode to share her daughter Abigail’s story of a rare brain tumour diagnosis known as APXA just over a year ago. Abigail is now 8 and is doing really well after an extremely intense year of surgery in Temple Street and proton beam therapy in Manchester but as the tumour is rare its been difficult to find information and connect with other people with a similar diagnosis. We talk about the initial symptoms as Abigail began to drag her leg and how while visiting a physiotherapist the urgency of see a neurosurgeon became flagged, how everything began to move so quickly after this point with the family moving to Manchester for 7 weeks while trying to maintain as much normality as they could for Abigail and her younger brother Ben - and the support that has kept their family standing throughout this past year.Please text GOLD to 50300 and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.Childhood Cancer Ireland is a charity founded by and led by parents of children with cancer who know that one of the greatest sources of strength for this fight, is conversation. As a non-government funded organisation, Childhood Cancer Ireland values every single donation. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.Just over 10 years ago, when Sarah O’Neill was 17 when she was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma.Sarah’s life changed that day and while she did beat cancer here she reflects on the ways it changed the course of her life, her fears, her fertility, her strengths and her purpose as she dedicates her career to fitness and has joined the programme committee for our CAYAS conference - childhood, adolescent and young adult cancers and survivorship.Sarah’s consultant said to her 'give me a year of your life and you'll be back to normal'. But in many ways she feels “normal” was never coming back. Here we talk about the impact of the diagnosis at her age, her concerns and frustrations around fertility preservation, early menopause and a health system not used to supporting women at her age. And why exercise has been so important for her mental health, her sense of control and her drive to use what she learned at 17 to help anyone who needs to get back on track with their life. Please text GOLD to 50300 and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.Childhood Cancer Ireland is a charity founded by and led by parents of children with cancer who know that one of the greatest sources of strength for this fight, is conversation. As a non-government funded organisation, Childhood Cancer Ireland values every single donation. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.Joining me today is Ciara Ui Chonghaile to share her son Rian’s T-Cell Lymphoma's diagnosis in 2022. .it was a rough start but once Rian responded really well to treatment he wanted to reintegrate into school and sports as much as he could - and 2 years on is now in maintenance - due to finish in April 2026. It’s been a heavy few years for this little family and while it’s not over yet they have so much hope whats ahead and are now looking to support others as Ciara has recently joined the Board of Childhood Cancer Ireland and as she lent on this podcast so much when Rian was diagnosed, today her story could help you.  Please text GOLD to 50300 and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.Childhood Cancer Ireland is a charity founded by and led by parents of children with cancer who know that one of the greatest sources of strength for this fight, is conversation. As a non-government funded organisation, Childhood Cancer Ireland values every single donation. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.In this episode I’m joined by Yvonne Shannon as she shares her daughter Ruby’s incredible recovery from a grade 4 brain tumour, diagnosed when she was just 2 and a half. Ruby is nearly 11 now and loving life, growing up fast and nothing is holding her back after a huge fight against childhood cancer.A CT scan found her tumour which kick started a journey of surgery, chemo, stem cell transplant and  at the very end, septicaemia left her in ICU for 14 days. As Yvonne describes. She is a miracle child.We talk about her illness, the team that saved her and the legacy of trauma. Play therapy and attending Childhood Cancer Ireland’s Parents workshops and working with our Principal Psychologist Mairead Brennan have given them both a new future where they can heal and look forward. Please text GOLD to 50300 and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.Childhood Cancer Ireland is a charity founded by and led by parents of children with cancer who know that one of the greatest sources of strength for this fight, is conversation. As a non-government funded organisation, Childhood Cancer Ireland values every single donation. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.This episode discusses the loss of a child to cancer.While this conversation is essential for families who have experienced this grief, it may be understandably upsetting and so we encourage you to protect your emotional wellbeing. You’ll find more information on Childhood Cancer Ireland’s bereavement supports in the show notes and on childhoodcancer.ie *Lauren McCormick joins me in this episode to share with us her wonderful daughter Aaliyah.Aaliyah was diagnosed with DIPG a brain tumour in 2021 and passed away a little more than a year later. We talk about the symptoms that brought Aaliyah's diagnosis, her courage and light, how together Lauren and Aaliyah’s dad Karl protected and minded each other and what they have learned about grief and hope and living without their little girl.  And it's been through active support like counselling or tapping into a spiritual connection with Aaliyah that has brought them some comfort and a way to live through each bad day together. Please text GOLD to 50300 and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.Childhood Cancer Ireland is a charity founded by and led by parents of children with cancer who know that one of the greatest sources of strength for this fight, is conversation. As a non-government funded organisation, Childhood Cancer Ireland values every single donation. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.In this episode I’m joined by Elaine Crowley as she shares her son Beau’s story of being diagnosed with ALL in Feb 2024 when he was 2 and a half. He was quite well before his diagnosis but pale and so for Elaine and her family leukaemia really was a shock. We talk about the impact of Beau’s treatment on him and their normality at home. As the youngest of 3 boys the house became a lot quieter, like the fun had been dialled right down but play therapy has been a huge support.  As was attending Childhood Cancer Irelands free parent workshops as Elaine and Brian could connect with other families voicing similar thoughts and the advice given by our psychologists was practical and easy to implement in the real world. The workshops are aimed at parents / guardians of children, adolescents or young adults who have received a diagnosis of childhood cancer and facilitated by Principal Clinical Psychologist  Mairead Brennan and Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist & Play Therapist Debbie Cullinane. To find out more and book your place in our Parent Workshops - click HEREPlease text GOLD to 50300 and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.Childhood Cancer Ireland is a charity founded by and led by parents of children with cancer who know that one of the greatest sources of strength for this fight, is conversation. As a non-government funded organisation, Childhood Cancer Ireland values every single donation. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.On this episode I’m joined by Niamh Hurley Forrester as she takes us through the story of her son Josh’s diagnosis, treatment and how their experience led her to forming a team of Aer Lingus volunteers that support families travelling for treatment. Josh was 3 when he was diagnosed with a Rhabdoid Tumour in 2019 and is doing really well now. This cancer is rare but their team had hope that it could be treated with high dose chemo surgery and proton radiation in Germany. Niamh has worked with Aer Lingus for many years and travelling was her life - and yet, this travel and the stress it brought opened her eyes to the experiences of many who must pass through our airports.   After she received the support of the Gavin Glynn Foundation who took care of what they needed to get to Germany she knew she wanted to do something more to help families - which led her to forming Team Gavin Glynn, a Volunteer Group in Aer Lingus who donate their time to taking families through the airport. She now has 100 volunteers who help families on their days off. They meet them at the entrance, take them through check in, security etc, take them for a coffee and make their journey as smooth as possible and run fundraising initiatives. Please text GOLD to 50300 and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.Childhood Cancer Ireland is a charity founded by and led by parents of children with cancer who know that one of the greatest sources of strength for this fight, is conversation. As a non-government funded organisation, Childhood Cancer Ireland values every single donation. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.