A New Year’s resolution by Imelda Byrne was the first step in the Bohola woman’s journey to
this year’s VHI Women’s Mini Marathon.

Declaring 2024 would be the year she’d improve her fitness, Imelda’s announcement was met with laughter and banter at the family Christmas gathering, not least from her dear sister Annemarie. At the time, Annemarie was in the midst of another round of treatment but she was stable and enjoying time with her family over the holiday period.

A few short months later, Imelda and her family were blown away by the incredible care, attention and love that Annemarie received at Mayo Hospice.

Sadly, the mum-of-three passed away at the Castlebar facility in April this year, but it was the phenomenal
care she received there that inspired Imelda to participate in the June Mini Marathon to raise funds for Mayo Roscommon Hospice.

“I didn’t exactly stick to my New Year’s Resolution in terms of fitness,” Imelda admitted, with a smile. “But I made a promise to Annemarie that I would do something to try to repay Mayo Roscommon Hospice for everything they did for her during her final weeks. Together with some family members and some of Annemarie’s friends, we walked and skipped our way through the Mini Marathon in June.”

Initially, the seven-strong group set a €500 fundraising target, but they managed to raise more than €13,000 for the organisation.

“Annemarie had really been through a lot over the previous 18 months but her experience with Hospice was fantastic. It was everything you would want it to be. She talked about how safe she felt there, and that’s the best possible compliment a healthcare facility and its team could receive,” Imelda continued.

In September 2022, Annemarie Byrne- Cunningham was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. She underwent surgery, followed by chemotherapy treatment, concluding in May 2023. Annemarie and her family knew the treatment wasn’t curative, but by May, the disease was under control. Unfortunately however, in August 2023, the cancer returned and the next round of treatment was planned for December. “Annemarie had a really difficult chemo journey and there were issues with bowel obstruction. Her treatment was traumatic, painful and invasive. There was never anything straight forward. In November, she spent three weeks in hospital, and then restarted chemo, but by February 2024, she was finding it tough and had debilitating chemo side effects,” Imelda recalled.

Both Annemarie and Imelda had a lot of experience in healthcare and in some ways, maybe knew too much. “Annemarie was a trained nurse and had worked with people with intellectual disabilities and in other settings. She knew about healthcare and conditions,” explained Imelda, who is also a nurse.

In February, Annemarie’s Consultant advised that she undergo the next three weeks of treatment and then reassess her options, but before the three weeks had passed, she had made the difficult decision that she did not want any more treatment. “At the time she felt guilty thinking like this, but as it turned out the decision was made for her, because at the end of the three-week period, the tumour had grown,” said Imelda. Despite huge health challenges and several offers of help from Hospice, Annemarie remained resolutely independent throughout her illness. “She had previously been referred to the palliative care team in November. She met with them, but didn’t embrace it. There was also talk of Hospice daycare at the time, but she wasn’t ready. She thought there were people more deserving and in need than she was,” Imelda continued.

By late March, however, Annemarie was very fatigued. She was sleeping a lot and the smallest activities would take a lot out of her. The palliative community team came to meet her, and her bowel discomfort was escalating. Once again, Annemarie’s family encouraged her to embrace the support.

“One particular Monday, the palliative care nurse came to Annemarie’s house to talk to her, and introduced the idea of her going to the Mayo Hospice for some symptom management. That day, she agreed. We knew that admitting she was ready to seek Hospice care was a huge step but we were relieved she had made the decision herself,” said Imelda.

Going just a few short miles down the road from her home in Baloor, Breaffy, to Mayo Hospice in Castlebar, made all the difference. “Within 24 hours, she was a new woman. She was relaxed, and she wasn’t trying to cover up her symptoms. We felt like we got her back that day. We had fun, we laughed, we had some great conversations. She was so much happier and we had the peace of mind that she was allowing people to care for her,” Imelda added.

The staff and volunteers in Mayo Hospice were a dream. “The social worker, Agnes, was amazing. Annemarie trusted her so much and really opened up to her. Within a couple of days, Agnes knew as much about Annemarie as her family did. During her illness, she had also lost her faith and was, understandably, very angry, but she formed a great bond with the chaplain and she came back to herself. The holistic care was incredible. She had aromatherapy treatments and even had her hair done. She was restful and peaceful, and we knew she felt both calm and empowered. She was able to access all of the necessary supports and to talk to her husband Jarlath, and their sons – James, Mark and Shane – about everything. They got to spend time together, making memories and planning her funeral. One of the lovely things they also did was make cufflinks together. The cufflinks have already been used by the boys, including for the Debs, Graduation and other important milestones. It’s like her way of being with them for the big days too,” Imelda confided.

During her final weeks, Annemarie was fulsome in her praise for the Hospice team. “She always felt she was their priority. The team was so caring, so discreet and we had open access to her when we needed it.”

On the Sunday before she passed away, one of Annemarie’s sons took her out for a few hours. She was able to go for a visit to her home in Bohola. “She was in great form and had a cup of tea with us. I remember saying that I wished we could keep her with us, but she couldn’t wait to go back to Hospice. She was so well cared for there, and she wanted to die in a safe, controlled environment, as pain free as possible. And that’s what Hospice delivered,” said Imelda.

That night, Annemarie’s family were called to her bedside, and for the next 48 hours, they sat with her until she breathed her last, aged just 52. “We miss her terribly but we are so grateful to Mayo Roscommon Hospice for all the wonderful care they gave her. Of course, the medical care and attention was really brilliant, but everything about the facility in Castlebar is just so perfect, and they couldn’t do enough for us,” she said.

“Annemarie was blown away by it all. She loved that the door from her room led her
straight outside. She could see and hear the birds in the trees. She loved her dog Bundi, a Bernese Mountain Dog, and the fact that Bundi was able to come to visit her in Mayo Hospice, and could literally come and greet her at the door, was lovely. It was all just so special and we will forever be grateful to Mayo Roscommon Hospice.”