CANCER campaigner Vicky Phelan has spoken about her decision to cease palliative chemotherapy treatment saying she didn’t think she would “see Christmas” this year.
Appearing on the RTÉ’s Late Late Show on Friday, the Kilkenny mother of two said that following six gruelling months of experimental cancer treatment in the US, she would rather spend the time she has left making “memories” with her family.
One round of treatment, on 18 October, was particularly devastating.
“I couldn't get out of the bed until 29 October, that's how bad it was", Vicky told host Ryan Tubridy.
She said she was “sick, in pain, tired, and going from one side effect to another.”
“[This aspect of cancer] is something people don't talk about…the horrors of the treatment are often worse than the actual disease itself”, she said.
On her decision to stop chemotherapy, the brave health campaigner said: “For me it’s the right thing, I know it’s not for everybody but I would rather my children have memories of doing stuff with me, and if I go sooner, so be it.”
“I just said no. I’m not doing this to my kids, I’m not doing this to myself. At this stage, I’ve been fighting this terminal part of the disease since 2018.”
Vicky said that after trying four different lines of treatment, she wants to prioritise “quality of life”.
Host Ryan Tubridy asked Vicky how she relays the upsetting news to her children.
“Do you shoot straight?”, he asked.
Vicky replied: “Yeh, they are tough conversations”.
"I would rather my children have memories of doing stuff with me and if I go sooner, so be it."
The inspiring and ever vibrant Vicky Phelan joins Ryan for a catch up. ❤️ #LateLate @PhelanVicky pic.twitter.com/0sgiSNZNdm— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) November 19, 2021
She said that she knew the day would come when she would need to make difficult decisions on whether to continue with treatment.
"I've known for four years now that there was a point that I would have to make really hard decisions. I have always known this cancer was incurable," she said.
"I have always known that whatever drugs I would get, one would only keep me alive for a certain point, but nothing was going to cure it, you know, unless some miracle drug came out.”
In a characteristic display of selflessness, Vicky urged the public not to ignore signs of any potential health problems.
The Irish can be "too quiet for our own good", she said.
"Know your body, and when you know your body, don't be afraid to ask questions about it, and get another referral if you're not happy.
"You only have one life."
