Dad given devastating diagnosis just months after voice went hoarse
20.12.2023 - 10:18
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
A dad was given a devastating diagnosis just five months after he developed a hoarse voice. Seamus Meenagh, 54, has suffered from acid reflux throughout his life, with it being regularly monitored in case it developed into something more serious.
Around the turn of the year, Seamus - who moved from Co Tyrone to Philadelphia, US, in the 1980s to escape The Troubles - began noticing changes to his voice and started having trouble swallowing. And in May, he was diagnosed with stage four esophageal cancer.
The dad was told that there is no cure for the disease, which has spread to his spine. And, after taking "a turn for the worse", he has had to give up his work as a contractor, Irish Star.com reports.
His devoted wife Kerri may also need to leave her job as a paediatric nurse practitioner in order to care for her husband if his condition continues to deteriorate.
Seamus and Kerri, 49, are also helping their daughters - Aisling, 21, and Saorla, 19 - get through college but are concerned about how much his cancer battle will "take a toll both emotionally and financially".
Kerri said: “Seamus’ acid reflux has been terrible his entire life. He was seeing a gastrointestinal specialist or gastroenterologist for this, was on medication, and was having regular endoscopies and tests to make sure the reflex didn’t turn into cancer, so it was a big shock when he got diagnosed. We thought, 'This can’t be cancer'.
“He hasn’t seemed sick until recently. He’s stubborn and has been working throughout his illness. He’s one of the most sought-after historical plasterers in Philadelphia and recently plastered Carpenter’s Hall, a key meeting place in the early history of the US, with his chemo bag on. He’s self-employed so if he's not working,