“I’ve been fighting it for 16 years, nearly half my life” John says. Originally from Milltown but now living in Salthill, John was diagnosed when he was 23, with a very rare brain tumour called Liponeurocytoma while living in Germany.
“I had a pain in my head and numbness on one side, and I went to the hospital. I was there for 80 days. There were only 6 or 7 people known to have that cancer at the time [in the world], now there are 40 known cases, but I am the only one that is still alive.”
John, now 39, described his life since his diagnosis, which has included 3 operations on his brain, and 6 on his back. He now has 2 tumours in his brain, 6 in his back and 2 in his leg, however he is living with his cancer and continues to work, and raise a family of three with his wife Edel.
“I’m not in any pain ... Today I’m ok, but tomorrow I might not be. I’m a spiritual person, and I’m happy. I’m busy with a family, three small children, and work. I have to take it day by day.”
Asked if he ever felt afraid, he said that he does.
“I do get scared. I feel like a big boy is chasing me– that’s the cancer – and I’ve been fighting it for 16 years, nearly half my life.”
Listen to John Walsh's interview with Máirtín Tom Sheáinín here.
John has written a book entitled Headcase, which will be launched on Wednesday September 14, in the Galway Bay Hotel. When asked why he decided to write the book, John said this was his change.
“My father died in September, and I said to myself, life is too fickle. This is my chance now to write a book because I have a big story to tell. I hope that the book will inspire people.”
There is further information about the book at www.johnwalshheadcase.com
The interview with John Walsh was broadcast on Ardtráthnóna on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.
