O’Faolain revelation gripping yet heartbreaking
In a candid interview with RTÉ broadcaster Marian Finucane, the author and journalist described her devastation at being diagnosed with a terminal form of the illness just six weeks ago.
Ms O’Faolain, 67, also admitted she had refused medical treatment to prolong her life after a harrowing experience of radiation therapy in Ireland. She said she had returned to Ireland permanently from New York where she had lived for the past few years after learning of her illness.
Listeners to the Marian Finucane show on RTÉ on Saturday were shocked to hear that the former Irish Times columnist and writer discovered she had cancer of the brain, lungs and liver. Ms O’Faolain only learned that she had incurable cancer after losing power to one side of her body after a fitness class in February.
Until recently, she had been providing weekly commentaries on the US presidential election campaign for RTÉ.
In a pre-recorded interview, Ms O’Faolain broke down several times as she spoke of feeling “the world turned its back on me”.
The writer, who refuses to believe in the concept of life after death, said her life had been coloured by “feelings of wretchedness and sourness with life” following the discovery of her cancer.
Ms O’Faolain also revealed she has renewed contact with her former partner of 15 years, Nell McCafferty. She described her relationship with the journalist and feminist as providing “the greatest fun”.
Meanwhile, the Irish Cancer Society has expressed concern the interview may have created the impression that giving up smoking does not help to reduce the risk of cancer. During the interview, the writer, who had not smoked a cigarette for 16 years, claimed the decision to give up smoking had “made no difference”.
The society’s spokesperson said research shows the lung health of an ex-smoker returns to normal after about 10 years.
* The ICS freephone cancer helpline is available on 1800-200700.
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