Support Aideen's Treatment Journey

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

This is Aideen, my friend of 35 years. Aideen is kind, funny, a talented hair stylist in film and TV (and to many private clients who adore her!); she is a dedicated practitioner and teacher of yoga and epitomises the real art of practicing ‘wellness’ in everyday life. She is also the most stylish person I know and makes dressing an art form – you’d love to hate her but for the fact that she’s really sound too!!

Aideen and her partner Danny are also the parents of Alex, their gorgeous little boy who was born in July 2020. Whilst journeying through the new experience of parenting and breastfeeding in January 2021, Aideen discovered a non-painful lump in her breast. She acted quickly and went for tests and, following this, was diagnosed with a rare form of triple-negative breast cancer.

What followed was a very difficult time during which Aideen showed remarkable bravery and resilience. A treatment plan was quickly put in place, and Aideen was scheduled for 16 rounds of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, only 9 were completed due to the cancer not responding to the treatment and Aideen’s white blood cell levels falling dangerously low. The treatment was making her incredibly unwell. After a blood transfusion, surgery was the next option and this was brought forward. Aideen took this like a champion and her outlook inspired her family, friends and doctors alike. On July 15th 2021, Aideen underwent a mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection, exactly one year after going into labour with Alex. After the surgery, Aideen had to undergo 15 hard rounds of radiation treatment and this finished in November 2021. Finally, she was in the clear and things were looking up!

On 28th March 2022, Aideen was scheduled for her first ‘big scan’ post-surgery, which was nerve-racking to say the least. In the worst possible outcome, the CT scan showed small growths in both lungs. An exploratory lung biopsy was scheduled immediately, showing that Aideen’s breast cancer has returned and is now in her lungs. Just like that, Aideen, who had been planning to go back to work this month, has an unimaginable diagnosis to comprehend.

Aideen’s diagnosis is now Stage 4 triple-negative breast cancer. The median length of survival for this is 2 years.

Aideen’s promising career is now on hold. The unenviable challenge of exploring treatment options outside of the limited medical options available in Ireland is now hers. These possible treatments include holistic approaches not considered as standard in Ireland and medical treatments in other countries. The financial burden of treatments, childcare, rent and bills will be huge with one parent unwell and not working. There are treatments available and Aideen needs support in order to explore these and beat the odds!

Aideen thanks everyone for their kind words, thoughts, prayers and meditations throughout her journey.

With gratitude,

Aideen's friends and family