A GAA club has rallied around a former footballer who is now facing two battles after his ongoing cancer fight left him paralysed from the chest down
Dad of two Gary McDonnell is now coming to terms with spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair on top of his current battle against an aggressive form of blood cancer which requires a double stem cell transplant.
Incurable Multiple Myeloma resulted in a tumour on his spine which led to his paralysis, despite the best efforts of medics at the Mater Hospital where he has been since June.
Now, Ballinlough GFC, outside Kells, Co. Meath, is urging people to help the 54 year old's family bring him home by funding much needed alterations to his house. A gofundme page has already raised over 57,000 euro in just four days
"Gary was diagnosed last year with Multiple Myeloma out of the blue, after he developed a pain in his shoulder," explained his wife Orlagh who is a nurse in Our Lady's Hospital in Navan.
"He was admitted to the Mater Hospital, under the care of consultant haematologist Professor Peter O'Gorman and started immunotherapy immediately before planned stem cell treatment to try and beat the cancer into remission.
"Last February, his treatment was changed after the previous one had stopped working and in March, leg pain led to a large tumour discovered in his groin.
"Then in June, after some back pain, he lost the power of his legs due to a large tumour compressing on his spine. He underwent emergency spinal surgery but unfortunately, the tumour had caused irreparable damage and led to permanent paralysis.
"As he was coming to terms with the paralysis, he had to undergo his first stem cell treatment last month with another one ahead of him soon.
"Gary was left with two battles. Coming to terms with his paralysis and he still has to fight the cancer.
"We live in a bungalow but we still have to widen doors and convert a room into a bedroom as well as adapt the bathroom and get a wheelchair accessible vehicle. The biggest hurdle is getting carers as he needs a large homecare package before he can be discharged from hospital.
"Despite all of this, we still consider ourselves to be so lucky to be surrounded by two amazing families, work colleagues and a community. There's never a day when I'm not stopped by someone along the road to ask how Gary is.
Friend Seamus McGee added: "Even with all that he has been through, he is still so positive and has a great attitude. He is always asking for everyone else. Other men would have thrown in the towel ages ago but Gary keeps ploughing on.
"He is getting amazing care in the hospital but all he wants to do is to get home and see his dog Dexter and be able to make himself a cup of tea.
PRO of Ballinlough GFC Susan Farrell said: "Gary has been massively involved in the club over the years as a player, manager and selector, notably forming part of the management team in our championship winning year of 2014 when we brought home the Mattie McDonnell Intermediate Cup, named after his father.
"He was on the sidelines again last year, right up until his illness meant it was no longer possible for him to continue to carry out his club duties with the same dedication he has always provided.
"Gary is currently fighting the biggest game of his life and we, as a club, will be supporting him in every way possible along the journey."
The gofundme page can be accessed here
