Dan Danaher talks to Miltown Malbay businessman Tony Cogan about his traumatic experience with cancer

A well-known Miltown Malbay-based businessman has revealed how he missed his father’s funeral as a result of a severe reaction to his treatment for testicular cancer.
Tony Cogan, who runs Clare Bar Supplies as well as a bar and restaurant in Miltown Malbay, collapsed coming home from his chemotherapy treatment last May and was advised to return to University College Hospital by his GP at midnight.
The following day his father, Jim, who was receiving treatment for bowel cancer at the same time, got a bad infection and was transferred to the High Dependency Unit at Ennis Hospital.
In a cruel twist, Jim died on Sunday, May 8, while Tony was sedated for two weeks in Galway and was too sick to attend his funeral.
When he came round, he had surgery to remove six feet of his intestines towards the end of May and all cancer treatment had to be put on hold for a six-week period.
When Tony was first diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 46, his father Jim (71) was in the latter stages of bowel cancer.
Ironically, Jim proved to be a great support for Tony as they went to consultations together with oncologist Dr Macon Keane in the Galway Clinic.
“I was privileged to have had it in house because I knew what chemotherapy, radiotherapy and side effects were before I started my journey,” he said.
Tony collapsed while on holiday in the Canaries this time last year having suffered from a bad ‘flu for about four months. When he returned to Clare about five days later he did nothing, despite advice to seek urgent medical attention from a doctor in the Canaries.
About two weeks later, the ‘flu returned with a vengeance prompting a return to his GP.
Dr Billy O’Connell found a lump in his chest cavity around his heart and immediately sent him for further investigation to Galway Clinic.
Dr O’Connell decided to do the blood test for testicular cancer before the end of March after a string of inclusive biopsies.
Tony and Jim had attended consultations with Dr Keane together and the former was sure he also had cancer once he was called for an appointment.
Describing Dr Keane as “one of the most positive men”, Tony recalled he told him, he had “a small bit of a problem” but he was going to fix it and that it was “96% curable”.
After a thorough examination, Dr Keane found a lump in his testes and it was confirmed on the day with the blood tests. Tony believes he wouldn’t have found this lump as his symptoms presented more ‘flu like and run down.
Having been so sick, Tony was relieved to be able to put a label on what was wrong.
“At least I had an answer to how I felt. I had a total lack of energy, interest in everything from work to life, friends, to going out, which was a very strange one. I didn’t want to be near people before I was diagnosed.
“I used to be very sweaty. The shock didn’t register. I don’t think the shock still has registered in relation to the sense of relief to why I felt so miserable.”
Tony had to be hospitalised during his chemotherapy treatment at University College Hospital, Galway over five days every three weeks.
Every Friday he had day treatment and had four cycles. After his first cycle, he had a very severe reaction to one of the drugs, when his intestines closed down, which subsequently prompted the surgery.
While it would be understandable if Tony became bitter, he has adopted a different approach
“The mistake is if you try to equate it with justice, you never get an answer.
“I think you should put it down to pot luck. You could ask the question, why me? The answer is why not me, why should it be somebody else either.
“Maybe am I lucky in the sense I will always be in the cancer services. I will always be scanned and monitored. Have I saved myself something more horrific in years to come?
“I would be very much aware of my body and I wouldn’t be afraid to seek help if I felt there was something wrong.
“I have noticed the amount of men that ask me questions that, on the surface, could appear very personal. The question is really about themselves and their own fears.
“When I am in the bar, I am asked ‘did you feel a lump?’ ‘how sick were you?’ They may only have the ‘flu but they would be looking for reassurance they haven’t something serious.
“Men seem to be reluctant to show what may be perceived as a weakness in relation to testicular or prostate cancer. Men have fear of being examined by the medical profession, which they shouldn’t have,” he said.
He believes the new group set up by Sláinte An Chláir will be very beneficial for members and will reach out to those undiagnosed who feel alone and frightened.
“It should encourage men who have fears to come forward. It is important to put a face to cancer to show I am still alive, I can still work and lead a healthy social life. It is not all doom and gloom. There is a life after cancer. If treated in time, you have a much greater chance of survival.”
Apart from his father, there was no history of cancer Tony’s family.
“I am in a much better place than I was a year ago. If I continued to ignore it, I would be dead. I was so sick, I had to get help.
“Once diagnosed you have some support. To be sick, alone and not knowing where to turn is a scary place,” he said.
Tony was discharged from hospital after Whit weekend. His next cancer treatment resulted in him missing his first Willie Clancy week in 27 years as a publican.
He finished this round of treatment in the first week of September. Then he had a break, had testicular surgery in early January following numerous scans in between and is now waiting more tests to start the next round of chemotherapy.
“I feel 100% better compared to where I was this time last year. You become aware of your mortality. You become aware of some of the stupid things you did in your life and some of the small things that bothered you.
“It makes you appreciate a fine day,” he added.
Tony hopes his story will encourage men to seek professional help when they are unwell.
“If it helps one person with a genuine concern to attend a GP, I will be happy,” he said.

New support group for male cancer patients

The establishment of a new male-only free cancer support group in Clare has been hailed as a positive move by bowel cancer survivor and former Clare Fianna Fáil Deputy, Tony Killeen.
Professor Frank Sullivan, who is a consultant radiation oncologist based in Galway, will act as facilitator for the inaugural meeting at Sláinte An Chláir, Kilnamona on this Saturday at 2pm.
Mr Killeen said, in his experience, support groups are extremely beneficial for cancer survivors and those who are undergoing extensive treatment for this disease.
“It is not widely known that a lot of people who have received chemotherapy can experience lifestyle issues. It is extremely helpful for these people to link up with others who are having a similar experience.
“It is also very helpful that ongoing professional help will be available to any man who has medical questions or concerns that need to be dealt with.
“This is a very welcome development for Clare men who are getting cancer treatment to share their experiences with others,” he said.
A spokeswoman for Sláinte an Chláir said it was decided to set up the group for men-only, as it was felt some men have a difficulty expressing their feelings or coping with a challenging condition like cancer.
The spokeswoman confirmed that a new male and female counsellor would be available free of charge to anyone attending the centre next month.
“Any man who has questions about his cancer treatment, a family member of a cancer patient or any male who has general questions about cancer are welcome to attend,” she said.
For further information contact 087 2765978.