HE may have been diagnosed with a brain tumour this year but one young Corkman still considers himself one of the luckiest people in the world.
James Murphy and his “walking club” friends. Pic: Denis Scannell
Ballincollig native James Murphy said since he was diagnosed earlier this year, he has found out exactly what the incredible loyalty of family, friends, work colleagues, and local business means to him.
The 26-year-old is undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy and must take it easy on the exercise as he recuperates. That’s where his loyal group of friends come in — they all meet up with James for “Sense of Tumour Walking Club” every week, pounding the pavements together to look out for their friend, all done at James’s pace.
They’re going one better tomorrow — they will attend the FAI Cup Final between Cork City and Dundalk at the Aviva Stadium together. Just before that they will take part in Brain Tumour Ireland’s annual walk. James had hoped to raise a few hundred euro for the cause, but has smashed that target by raising a whopping €8,000 for Brain Tumour Ireland before even taking a step.
“I’m amazed and blown away by the support. I was hoping for €500 but this is incredible. Brain Tumour Ireland is a brilliant foundation so I’m thrilled to be able to help raise funds and awareness. I actually do consider myself a lucky person,” he said.
James was living in Dublin, working for Twitter, in May this year when he had what he thought was a bad hangover after a night out in Cork. However, when the pounding headache didn’t go away over the weekend, he decided to go to the doctor when back in Dublin. She sent him to the hospital in Dun Laoghaire, and anomalies were found on his brain and lung.
He was diagnosed with a grade 3 brain tumour but, luckily, it was just a chest infection in his lungs. Doctors think the headache was actually related to the chest infection and not the brain tumour — another reason James considers himself lucky. He had no other symptoms.
He said his employer has been incredibly supportive, as have parents Mick and Kathleen, twin Daniel, and siblings David, John, and Lisa. The local community in Ballincollig and beyond, he said, had enhanced his faith in humanity.
For more information, search for Sense of Tumour on Facebook and www.gofundme.com. Information on Brain Tumour Ireland at: www.braintumourireland.com.
The post James walks the road to recovery appeared first on Evening Echo.