Katy Corrigan
ALMOST A YEAR ON from being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma Churchill teenager Katy Corrigan is in remission.
The former Enniskillen Collegiate student was diagnosed with stage three Hodgkin’s lymphoma back on June 20, 2014 but is now fighting fit, thanks in no small part to a positive attitude and the support of her family and friends.
After undergoing six months of gruelling chemotherapy the 19-year-old learnt in February her tumours were gone, but a tonsil infection meant she did not officially get the all clear until April. She described the emotions at learning the good news.
“Everyone was just relieved really. I remember crying when the doctor told me my tumours had gone because that’s all I wanted to hear. I didn’t want to celebrate too soon because I had to have my tonsils checked and then removed. But after I got the biopsy results back from my tonsil surgery it was even more of a relief. I had two months of not really knowing what was going on so that was weird.”
Katy admitted that her treatment went by in a flash and believes a positive attitude was key.
“Sometimes I was in the house and watching TV and wondered when am I actually going to be able to do something again and felt bored of it all and annoyed that I couldn’t do what I was supposed to be doing, but people were never down around me, everyone had the attitude around me that you just have to get through it.
Everyone at the hospital was really positive as was mummy.
Because they told me at the beginning it’s 80% curable you never really think you’re going to be the 20% that’s not, so it was just a case of getting through it and having a positive mindset.
“My nurses always said ‘Oh you’re so positive, you’re so good, you just get on with everything’ and I think if you’re like that it makes it so much easier, because if you thought about it negatively it would just go so much slower and make you feel so much worse.”
While it was a challenging time in her life Katy was kept busy with her pet dog Muffin, friends and the various activities organised through cancer charities such as Clic Sargent and the Ellen Mcarthur Trust.
“I’ve always had something and I’ve met loads of people and that’s been such a good thing. I have had so many different experiences that I wouldn’t have been able to have and I’ve met so many people.”
Now the 19-year-old is looking ahead to university, a dream cut short last year. In September Katy will study Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds.
The Churchill teenager has taken cancer in her stride and believes the disease should no longer treated as a taboo subject.
“It really isn’t as bad as everyone thinks it is , people don’t talk about it enough. It is really annoying, I feel awkward telling people because they then feel awkward, but I don’t want them to.
“I like that I have been able to have this experience and meet different people and realise there’s other things in life than going to university.”
She added: “I hate that cancer is so taboo and no one mentions the word. If you have good people to be there , look after you and help you through it, it can be just a time where you just have to get on with things, get your treatment and move forward.”
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