Karen O’Reilly and her family have been overwhelmed by the support they have received from the local community
Originally from Coolgreany, Karen O’Reilly (née Redmond) built a house and settled in Johnstown in 2010 with her husband, Robert, their two boys who have autism, John (15) and Joe (12), and their dog Spot.
In September 2022, Karen was preparing for a holiday to Salou with her cousin Sandra. While simply brushing her hair in the mirror, she discovered something alarming. After a shower, when raising her arms, she noticed a crease or a slight indent at the bottom of her right breast.
“From this point on, our family’s life changed forever as we were plunged into the cruel reality of cancer,” Karen said.
“There was the impossible task of telling our boys, my siblings, parents and friends that I had this battle to fight, and that it was nobody’s fault and there was no one to be angry with.”
In the space of a few short weeks, Karen had found the abnormality, got a triple assessment, was diagnosed with breast cancer, and started chemotherapy on November 21 – her birthday.
Arklow woman Karen O’Reilly with her sons John and Joe. Photo: Brian O’Neill
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – September 24th
“During this time, Karen had to prepare for the fight of her life in every aspect of her day-to-day activities,” Robert said.
“This preparation involved emotionally supporting herself and her family, medical preparation, things like making sure your teeth are in good order, making sure your nails are healthy and all aspects of women’s routine health, and getting eyebrow tattoos and hairpieces in place.
“This proved to be vital in establishing a team of experts to help in the battle, as any issues can cause the treatment to be stopped, and teeth, nails and hair are the first casualties of the war.”
Karen’s chemotherapy continued for five months until March 2023, and two months later, she had her right breast removed. In June, Karen started radium therapy, which lasted three weeks, and from there, the cancer was ‘gone’ and, with a chemo tablet, would hopefully stay away.
Arklow woman Karen O’Reilly with her husband Robert and sons John and Joe. Photo: Brian O’Neill
Karen continued to get on with life as a mammy in her usual positive manner. The cancer fight had been horrific, and she was left with many battle wounds, some being numb feet, neuropathy, breathing, gynaecological and weight problems and the emotional issues of being a woman with only one breast.
“Throughout the initial, sometimes hopeless battle with cancer, there were many positive bright lights shining to show support for me and my family,” Karen said.
“Even when too sick to see them, they continued to keep shining and still do today.
“To name just a few of the groups, both as groups and as the amazing individuals who make them magic, there’s the Gorey Ukulele Group, Arklow Cancer Support, Our Lady’s Hospice both Wicklow and Harold’s Cross, the boys schools, Glenart and Bearna Chlé, Dr Buggle and McCabe and all the staff in Sheltonville Surgery and Enable Ireland (CDNT).”
“The most important group of all our friends and family, this group includes everyone, as it’s widely accepted that Karen is everyone’s friend and never just a client or patient,” Robert added.
Sandra Redmond (right) presents the proceeds from a benefit night to her best friend and cousin Karen O’Reilly.
For the next two years, Karen returned to life as the best mother, teacher and friend anybody could ask for.
She dedicated herself to teaching music to her group, the Gorey Ukes, which she set up seven years ago with her friend Susan and has grown to boast 50 members.
“She would work tirelessly preparing music and loves her Wednesday classes where she would meet the wonderful people that seem to gather when music is involved,” Robert said.
“The Gorey Ukes group today is well known for their gigs and bringing happiness and fun to gatherings all year round. From the Christmas turning on of the lights to playing in the nursing home, they always show up and entertain. The group has raised a lot of money for local charities.”
Arklow woman Karen O’Reilly with her sons John and Joe. Photo: Brian O’Neill
From the turn of this year, Karen had been struggling with breathing and could no longer sing or walk long distances, as her energy levels were way down.
After several hospital appointments and scans, a diagnosis of sleep apnoea and asthma was said to be at the root of the issues. Still not happy with things in July, Karen and Robert returned and had a PET/CT scan done, and, while waiting on the results, Karen became very unwell and attended A&E on July 28.
After 25 hours sat on a chair, Karen was informed that the breast cancer was metastatic and she was stage 4 with cancer in her lungs, liver, bones and lymph nodes.
Martina Costello, Stephanie Redmond, Noleen Hughes, Nathan (Redmond) Keogh, Sandra Redmond and Louise Byrne.
This terminal diagnosis was a major bomb to be dropped on the family that holds Karen firmly at the top of the tree, the lady who is “the peacemaker and the voice of reason”.
Today, the family deals internally with the desperation and despair of dealing with the unthinkable: “Life without mammy”, “Life without my friend”, “Life without my daughter”, Life without my sister”, generally “life without”.
“All the people who were there for Karen for round 1 of the cancer battle have doubled up on their support for Karen,” Robert said.
“I say doubled up, as they never went away and have been so kind to Karen and her family since the initial diagnosis in 2022. They have kept her singing, laughing and, lately, knitting; they have supported her and our family emotionally and physically as best they could.
“I feel terrified, desperate, overwhelmed by the task of being mammy and daddy and very alone, but in our darkest times to come, I cannot ignore the support and kindness being shown by friends and family.
“As I walk down a dark, desperate path, I must see the lines of people standing there with a torch of hope and support. Now it’s too foggy, but I need to keep the boys looking for the light”.
Hundreds of people recently attended a fantastic night of music at The Gallery in Arklow to show their continued support for their treasured friend Karen, with numerous local musicians performing and over 70 businesses donating prizes.
“The GoFundMe and all the events happening are very overwhelming and embarrassing too, but they are just so comforting to make us believe the path is not dark and desperate, all our friends and family stand out there in the cold, miserable nights with a torch for us to find our way through,” Robert said.
“The money raised will go towards a van to help Karen and the boys make some great memories together as we live in the now. As you know, Karen is tough, so let’s hope for lots of time!
“Thank you to everybody who helps every day. We fought for hope to beat cancer. Now we fight for Hope that it will go easy on us.
“There are no words to describe the support, just a question to ponder: Why do we wait for tragedy to show our kindness? We, the O’Reilly’s see it and very much feel it.”
Support the fundraiser for the O’Reillys please click here