Local woman nominates Beaumont nurse for award

FORMER patients of Beaumont Hospital were given the opportunity last week to pass on thanks to members of staff whom they believe went the extra mile in helping them regain their health and wellbeing.

Each patient talked briefly about the circumstances that brought them to the hospital and presented an ‘Honour Your Heroes’ award to the person or team of their choice.

Emma Cassidy, from Raheny, nominated Louise Costigan, Breast Care Nurse, for an award. 

In June 2017, Science and PE teacher Emma (30) went to see her GP. She had been feeling very tired with very low energy and had a general feeling that something was not right. 

Her GP gave her a B12 injection to help her energy levels which made little impact and on a subsequent visit, her blood samples were taken but these came back normal. 

Emma had been treated for skin cancer in 2015 and as a precautionary measure, her GP sent her to the Emergency Department in Beaumont Hospital. 

“Doctors in the hospital found a lump in my right breast within 20 seconds,” she recalls.  

Emma was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease, and within a week was undergoing surgery to have a double mastectomy. Emma felt “punched in the face”. 

“It didn’t seem real,” she says. “I never thought that at 30-years-of-age I’d be facing something like this. I tried to absorb as much information as I could and decided to approach my treatment with a positive attitude. That was massively important for me.” 

Things moved swiftly along for Emma and in August last year, she began chemotherapy which continued until Christmas. She then underwent radiation treatment and has recently undergone breast reconstruction surgery at Beaumont Hospital. Throughout the course of her treatment she bravely documented her fight with the disease on her Instagram page and has been very vocal about her battle against cancer. Emma named Louise Costigan as her hero. 

“Louise was one of the first people that I met when I was diagnosed,” says Emma.

“She was so calming and made me feel like everything was going to be ok. Louise was always at the end of the phone for me and knowing that I had her support was amazing and made my journey so much easier. “She has definitely made a lasting impression and I will forever be grateful for all of the things that she has done for me.”

Paddy Delaney, managing director of Beaumont Hospital Foundation, says: “Many of those who shared their personal accounts have had to fight long and hard on the road to their recovery. 

“But with the support of Beaumont and its staff, they have made a return to health and indeed, many of them have gone on to fundraise for improved patient care at Beaumont Hospital. 

“‘Honour Your Heroes’, highlights our best product which is the medical expertise and the great level of care which staff provide to patients.” 

Separately, Carmel Butler (84), from Donaghmede, a patient of the Day Hospital in St Joseph’s Hospital, Raheny (part of the Beaumont Hospital Campus), where she attends for regular health check-ups, thanked Consultant Geriatrician, Alan Moore, at the event.

•To find out more about the Beaumont Hospital Foundation’s work, vist www.beaumontfundraising.ie