January 5th, 2008
A milestone
On this day five years ago, around about this time, I was propped up on a trolley in the casualty department of St. James hospital. My legs - still in fetching pyjamas, you don’t get to throw on clothes for the ambulance, you understand - were covered in black bruises. An oxegen mask was helping me to breath and a sizeable clot (a mutant conker? A tennis ball?) snuggled itself against the wall of my right lung determined to make breathing very painful. Having done a three-day trolley marathon with a leg clot just six weeks before, I got worried when the nurse said there was a bed for me. This is a casualty rarity. And around 5pm, when they finally did the big reveal (”The news isn’t good, you’ve got a rare form of leukemia”), everything went chaotic and dark in my head.
Five years is cancer’s big “in the clear” milestone, so today I feel lucky and grateful and aware that very little else matters in life if you’re not in possession of good health. And after all that gruelling chemotherapy, I’m even more blessed that I have a beautiful son who is a constant source of wonder and joy.
Life is good. I hope 2008 brings continued good health to you all.
January 5th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Sinead - congratulations - and many more years of good health to you.
January 5th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
FTW! Stuff like that really puts things in perspective.
January 5th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
[…] http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2008/01/05/a-milestone/ […]
January 5th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
As I’ve already said elsewhere there’s a virtual champagne winging its way to you
January 5th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Congratulations, stay well.
January 5th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
As I’ve already said elsewhere there’s a virtual champagne winging its way to you
You tight bastard.
January 5th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
You’re an inspiration Sinead.
January 5th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Congratulations and indeed, many more years of good health to you.
January 5th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Hooray for you! And congratulations.
January 5th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Congratulations Sinead, that’s such brilliant news, I’m delighted for you. All the best to you and yours in the future x
January 5th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
You’ve made my day!
Well done, and long years of health to you.
January 5th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
What an important milestone.
Congratulations.
Cheers to your continued robust health, Sinead.
January 5th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Now that is a milestone to write home about!
Happy new year Sinead.
January 5th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
That’s worth celebrating Sinead (and a good reminder to us whiney fuckers that we’re nothing without good health :/).
January 5th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
That’s great news sinead. I wish you many years of good health.
January 6th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Congratulations Sinead and glad you’ve marked the milestone by reminding others what’s important in life
January 6th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Fantastic news, Sinéad. Congrats! And never a truer word spoken - your health is your wealth. Stay well and happy 2008. xxx
January 6th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Can only echo what has been said already Sinead, but its great to know that you are through a big milestone like this. Keep well!
January 6th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Superb. Congrats Sinéad!
January 6th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
One of the finest posts I’ve ever read. So positive and life affirming. Hats off Sinéad. And many, many happy returns to you for 2008 and beyond.
January 6th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
As the great Ferris Bueller once said… “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop
and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
January 6th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Congrats, Ma Gleeson - best wishes in ‘08 from the far side.
January 7th, 2008 at 1:49 am
well done, sinead. i hope you have a great year!
January 7th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Just saw this now Sinead! Well done and all the best for 2008 and onwards.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Congratulations and many more years of good health to you.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Congrats Sinead, that’s great news. We’d be lost without you on these here internets
January 7th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
[…] Monday Monday January 7, 2008, 12:53 pm Filed under: random, weekend | Tags: random, weekend Well I got over mystupid pointless bad mood on Saturday. Reading about Sinead’s amazing milestone gave me the kick up the arse I needed and I stopped being a spoiled brat. […]
January 7th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
It is a great milestone and I am delighted for you. Happy and Healthy New Year to you too
January 7th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
[…] Move over Una, Sinead Rocks (The Sigla Blog) […]
January 7th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Stay that way too, the world needs quality.
January 8th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
You deserve what you have now more than most I know of Sinead. Keep on rockin and writin me dear!
January 8th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I’m a few days late but thats great news Sinead! And congrats on the new arrival too. Best wishes for 2008 and continued health for the future.
January 8th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Also late but just wanted to add my congrats and best wishes, Sinéad.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
That’s great news, Sinead. You’re right - nothing else really matters. Keep it up missus.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Continued happiness to you and yours Sinead. You’re the most courageous woman I have ever known and an inspiration for us all.
January 10th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Great milestone Sinéad. Congrats and Happy New Year!
January 12th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Glad to hear it - have a great year!
January 30th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
[…] The Sigla Blog - A milestone […]
February 11th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
[…] The Sigla Blog - A milestone […]
February 11th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
[…] The Sigla Blog - A milestone […]
February 14th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
thanks for the important reminder Sinéad, this is inspiring!