My mother was a cancer patient at Letterkenny University Hospital until her passing in September 2025. She first encountered the disease two decades ago and was a regular attendee for checks, scans, and bloodwork over the years. Sadly, in her 81st year, the cancer spread. She was admitted for 10 days in February/March and advised that she wasn't strong enough for treatment. To her great credit, she would go on to receive Chemotherapy 13 times from May to August this year as a day patient, while also being admitted to the oncology ward on two occasions.

Throughout our journey, but most especially this year, our Clinical Nurse Specialist, Mary Grace Alegarme, was an immense help. Mary Grace ensured we were up to date, answered our questions on treatments, tests, scans, and more. Much more than that, she made a conscious effort to get to know not just my mother, her patient, but the family too. My siblings and I had many calls with Mary Grace, and she got to know us and was a real support to each of us.

We could also see, clearly, the relationship she had developed with our mother over the years. There was a bond, a proper sense of care and compassion for her patient, and a willingness to do her utmost to make the cancer journey as bearable as possible. For all of that, we'll be forever thankful to Mary Grace and the wider oncology team in Letterkenny University Hospital.