Cancer nurse who lost both parents to disease, praises health service for saving her husband and daughter

A former cancer nurse from Co Antrim who lost both her parents to the disease has praised health workers for successfully treating her husband and daughter.

The devastating effect of cancer on family life is all too clear for Ruth Arthur (71) from Ballyclare, who was attending Sunday’s Pink Run in Belfast along with her daughter Joanne Jones (42), a breast cancer survivor, and granddaughter Robin Snoddy (15).

Ms Arthur’s mother died from an undiagnosed cancer six years ago, with her father several years before.

“My husband had cancer a few years ago and now my daughter. I was a cancer nurse so I can see things from both sides, from the patient and the family side. It’s very, very difficult being the relative,” she told the Irish News.

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“So the cancer journey for me has been going on for years.”

Ms Jones was diagnosed three years ago, and after surgery became involved campaigning with Cancer Focus NI.

“Hopefully other women will have got something from listening to my journey and experiences, so I would hope it would encourage them to reach out for help as well,” she said.

Last month, serious concerns were raised over breast cancer waiting times in Northern Ireland - prompting the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to move the “unacceptable” waiting lists to a regional model.

Despite the obvious strain on the health service, Ms Jones praised the “fantastic” team at Antrim Area Hospital for the care she received.

“I was seen quickly and operated on quickly, the aftercare from the hospital was fantastic as well,” she said.

Ms Arthur added that her husband also had a positive experience with his cancer treatment at the same hospital.

Looking at the scale of the support on show for her mum and others at the Titanic Slipways, Robin said: “It’s just been amazing to know she didn’t have to go through it alone.

“We all knew she could do it, she’s strong and she beat it.”

Also taking part was Sarah McGuckin (37), alongside her fiancé Philipi Ferreirinha (39) and sister Niamh (28).

Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, with her treatment including six rounds of chemotherapy, 20 rounds of chemotherapy and a lumpectomy.

She will also require a further five years of hormonal therapy.

“I was really lucky to find it early on, allowing me to get a lumpectomy,” she said.

“That slowed the growth of the cancer and made all the difference. It’s amazing to have my whole family here today.

“It’s just mad to think that this time last year I was going in for my second round of chemotherapy, now I get to be here and participate, to see the joy on the other side.”

She also reported being treated without delay.

“I found the lump on a Sunday and I saw my GP the very next day. I was red-flagged right away,” she said.

“So for me, yes there’s a lot of pressures on the health service, but when something serious happens it’s amazing to see the machinery kick in.

“Once you’re in the system, it’s all go, go, go. I never found any problems with my care, the nurses and doctors were really fantastic.”

Sharing her advice with others at the start of their cancer journey, she said: “You’ll get through it, make sure you have your support around you.

“Maybe life isn’t going to be the same as you’re going through it, but there’s joy there that you’ll find in different places.”

Philipi added: “Being here today is a new experience and I’m glad to be part of it. When I met Sarah she was in the early stages of her diagnosis.

“To be part of that journey means a lot to me, especially in our relationship. I did lose people in the past to cancer and I know how it feels.”

Niamh said being in a different country when her sister was diagnosed had felt like “mental torture.”

“It’s just really lovely to be here, I’ve seen her throughout her whole journey with all the ups and downs.

“It was really agonising, I was over in Australia at the time when I found out. It was just awful to know something was wrong with her and I couldn’t be there physically.

“It was almost like mental torture, that’s why it’s so nice to be here today to support her.”

Sharing her advice for other families supporting a loved one through cancer, she said: “I would just say to be strong for them. But actually going by what Sarah was like, I think I struggled more than she did. She was so strong.

“But I tried to tell her ‘be positive, ‘there’s going to be bad days, but there’s also going to be good days, so just try and keep that momentum going throughout the treatment.’”