Ballyconnell GP 'recovering slowly' from treatment

Christmas 2024 for retired doctor Susan Cosnett will be different as she’s in Holland undergoing a revolutionary treatment for cancer.

The former Ballyconnell GP was recovering from chemotherapy and undergoing Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) therapy when she sent The Anglo-Celt an update from the Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek Hospital in Amsterdam via video.

“A report from Amsterdam,” she said, speaking cheerfully from a hospital bed.

“To all my wonderful supportive community and friends, Christmas 2024.

“I want to thank you sincerely and with so much love back to you for giving me this gift, the gift of the chance of TIL therapy,” she said.

“Probably the gift of life itself, “ she continued.

“That would be just amazing or even just to buy more time.”

Susan sent her love to everyone at home in Cavan.

“I’m recovering slowly day by day, I’m at a better place than what I was last week.

“Much love, and I can’t wait to get home again,” she finished.

The mum of three has a rare form of Acral Malignant Melanoma, a cancer that started as a small pink line under the nail of her left big toe but grew.

A massive fundraising effort took place prior to Dr Cosnett’s departure for Holland. A GoFundMe set up in July currently sits at just over €168,000, which is around €5,000 short of its target. Susan (62) had a goal of raising €173,000 for the treatment.

Initially the target was set at €150,000, which the fundraiser has surpassed, however the family received a blow during the process when it emerged that her health insurance policy did not cover any aspect of the care, which meant they had to increase the fundraiser target.

The treatment is not available in Ireland as it has not yet been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). It was this lack of EMA approval which saw her insurance company refuse to cover any aspect of the treatment.

The retired doctor felt this was “just an excuse” and believes more should be done for people with her type of cancer.

The hospital “almost didn’t” take Susan for treatment without insurance, which would cover any “unexpected events” that may arise during the treatment. However, with the help of the local community, the family raised enough money.

Before leaving Ireland to receive the treatment, Susan told this newspaper that she was feeling hopeful.

“It’s great to have hope, that something could possibly work, to me it’s like going to the moon,” she said.

“It’s that modern, it’s the frontier of medicine what they’re going to do.”

She was also extremely grateful to her community and all who have supported her.

“My community has shown me such love and support,” she said, adding that they have given her “the choice to try this therapy”.

“They’ve given my children and my husband hope. We have spent the last six months smiling, positive, talking about it, not crying, thinking yes there’s something, we’re going to do something amazing.”