2017 - A roller coaster of a year...
By Niamh Duffy -
2017 could quite possibly have been the most mixed bag of a year I have ever had. I had some of my biggest lows and biggest highs all within 365 days.
In an hospital appointment in March heart surgery was mentioned as a possibility, I immediately teared up. In June I was in my kitchen and opened a letter with a definite decision – I burst into tears. Late September, I was in theatre. October 10th, I turned twenty.
I know that everyone has things going on in their lives, and I am not naïve to the fact that this is minor compared to many other peoples problems. However, to me it was everything all at once. It needed to be done, and now I am pretty much fully recovered I am so thankful I have it. It gives me an extra confidence boost that I can carry on living this life that I absolutely love.
In an hospital appointment in March heart surgery was mentioned as a possibility, I immediately teared up. In June I was in my kitchen and opened a letter with a definite decision – I burst into tears. Late September, I was in theatre. October 10th, I turned twenty.
I know that everyone has things going on in their lives, and I am not naïve to the fact that this is minor compared to many other peoples problems. However, to me it was everything all at once. It needed to be done, and now I am pretty much fully recovered I am so thankful I have it. It gives me an extra confidence boost that I can carry on living this life that I absolutely love.
But the journey to get here was tough. I'm only little but a child's dose of paracetamol didn't really touch the sides. I'm fiercely independent but that was stripped away the minute I couldn't move. I lost confidence in myself and my appearance, constantly checking if you could tell the defibrillator was there or you could see the scars. We'd booked a holiday to the Dominican Republic for a month after my surgery... way before I knew it was happening. I was wracked with nerves – the long flight, concealing scars in the hot weather, smiling even though I was in agony. It turned out to be one of the best holidays. I realised that no one cared about my scars and it gave me the perfect opportunity to relax and recover with the people I love the most.
You may already know but my family mean everything to me and are my biggest support. This year we welcomed a new addition, my nephew, Tommy Charles Duffy. The idea of not being around to watch him grow and explore the world breaks my heart. That is what this surgery meant to me – it was a chance to ensure I am going to be a part of his life for as long as possible. He brought my family together, his smile brightens any room and any tears shed or pain endured is forgotten. Tommy, you kept me strong when I was close to giving up.
It's been a busy year. I've built the foundation for my career, I've explored some more of the world, I've been on countless nights out with friends and made amazing memories with my family. But, 2018 I'm ready for you!
It's been a busy year. I've built the foundation for my career, I've explored some more of the world, I've been on countless nights out with friends and made amazing memories with my family. But, 2018 I'm ready for you!
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