A woman has described how her terminally-ill mother helped inspire her to become a nurse.
Lucy O’Brien, 29, is the sole carer for her mum Tracey O’Brien, 54, and is also studying to become a mental health nurse at the University of South Wales .
And she says her mum played a big part in encouraging her after seeing how illnesses can impact on people mentally.
Tracey was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 47 and underwent a cycle of chemotherapy. But on her 50th birthday she started to experience pains in her back.
She later discovered that the cancer had spread to her bones, and received the devastating news that it was terminal. She has since had to undergo more than 10 operations.
“It was a shock,” explained Lucy. “She is the first person to have breast cancer in the family and she lives a healthy life and is a good person.
“We just thought ‘why is this happening?’”
The mother and daughter agreed it was best that Lucy remained Tracey’s primary carer.
Lucy, from Merthyr Tydfil , wanted to be there for her mum, and Tracey didn’t like the idea of someone else helping her with tasks such as changing and bathing.
Lucy had started her career as a qualified dental nurse, but she went onto train in the mental health sector after seeing how illnesses can impact on people mentally.
“My dad has struggled to talk about his emotions since my mum’s diagnosis,” she explained
“He supports me financially, but it’s been tough for him.”
She added: “I’m now in my second year, so I’m in the middle of the course.
“Even though it’s been tough to balance my workload and caring for mum, I have never wanted to give up.
“My mum would be disappointed if I did, and she makes me want to keep going.
“I guess you could say training also gives me a bit of a break from reality.”
Lucy also said that her brother, Shaun, has been “brilliant” and said he supports her as much as he can and visits Tracey with his children to keep her spirits up.
Lucy said: “My mum played a big part in encouraging me to become a nurse.
“She’s my best friend and my inspiration. She’s defeated the odds so many times.
“We’ve said goodbye to her about six times because we were told it wasn’t looking good, but she’s still here fighting.
“She has supported my brother and I through everything in our lives.
“She truly is a wonderful mother.”
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