Strabane man returns home after stem cell transplant and is clear from cancer

‘YOU’RE trading in one Christmas for 40 or 50 more’ – the words from Paul Carlin’s mother sounded repeatedly in his head for the five weeks he spent in isolation in hospital recently after receiving a life-saving stem cell donation from his brother.

For the last 16 months Paul has been battling against Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and the stem cell donation was only able to take place after he had been declared cancer free. This is the third time the Strabane man has faced the disease – he was only 18 when he was first diagnosed with the cancer, and it returned three years later when he was 21. Clear of cancer for 13 years Paul was devastated to learn it had returned in October 2020 and has been battling it ever since.

Speaking this week as he returned home to Strabane after his lengthy stay in hospital, Paul explained, “Things are going really well thank God, I’ve been home a few days and it’s been amazing to be back with the family again and fingers crossed everything goes as well as it should do moving forward.”

Amazing coincidence

In September last year Paul’s younger brother Conor donated stem cells to help with his recovery, a move Paul is forever grateful for. He explained, “I was due to get the transplant a few months ago but I ended up relapsing unfortunately, so for two to three months leading up to Christmas I was going through quite a lot of chemotherapy. When I got the all clear that’s when I was able to go up for the transplant.

“When I got to the hospital I had more chemo for a week, even though I was cancer free they needed to neutralise my immune system before putting my brother’s cells in to me,” Paul explained.

“I actually got Conor’s cells put in on his birthday. I’d had three or four delays for the transplant at that stage but the day they went in was actually his birthday. A weird but amazing coincidence – December 20, definitely a date we won’t forget.

“I was in isolation from the middle of December until last week so I couldn’t see any family or friends, that was really tough. I was in hospital for five weeks and I will be in isolation in the house for the next three months, I can’t afford to pick up any infections or anything – that would set me back big time,” he continued.

“Christmas was really difficult to get through, I was just clinging on to something my mum (Gemma) had said about trading one Christmas in for 40 or 50 more. They were all getting tortured over Christmas on Facetime, I probably saw more of them than if I had been at home,” Paul laughed.

“I have four brothers, Conor and Tom at home with me, and Jack and John live in England but they are coming back over to Strabane at the end of January and we are going to celebrate Christmas together as a family. Get the Christmas tunes on, open up the presents, and my poor mother is going to have to look at a turkey again.”

And while things are looking positive for Paul he knows there are still challenges ahead. “The cancer is gone – I got the all clear before going to Belfast, and this has showed me how important the transplant is as they still wanted to go ahead with it even though I was cancer free.

Isolating

“They need my immune system to turn to Conor’s and my blood type is now changed to my brother’s as well. My blood is tainted and there’s a possibility I would keep relapsing and that’s why the transplant is so important. Hopefully I’ve had enough cells, but there is a chance I will need top-ups, that’s quite common with transplant patients.

“I’m working through the side effects at the moment and just isolating for the next while so I don’t pick up any infections. I need to stay well away from Covid, I’ve got to have all my Covid jabs again from scratch. I have to have all my baby vaccines again, I’m basically starting off with a totally new system, I’m like a new born baby.

“It’s just sheer relief at this stage to be honest. Last year was very difficult, but fingers crossed I’m through the worst of it. I’m giving myself most of this year to try and find my feet again – over the next three months it’s quite intense and then I’ve loads to look forward to after that. I’m the best man at my brother John’s wedding in July and then maybe I’ll do some travelling and get back in time for a proper Christmas and new year celebration next year.”

Extending his thanks to everyone in Strabane who has supported him and his family Paul added, “The support I’ve received this last 16 months has been overwhelming, it’s been nothing short of amazing.

“You forget what type of town Strabane is until one of their own is in need. It really did feel like the whole town was pulling for me and it did help make things much easier.

“So I want to say thank you for the kind words, the prayers, the cards, pick-me ups, I can’t imagine what it would be like trying to fight this thing on your own,” he explained.

“Here’s to a bright future and I can’t be any more grateful for the support I’ve received.”