Image source, McAleese Family
- Author, Niall McCracken
- Role, BBC News NI Mid Ulster Journalist
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“During his illness, he always said that if he were to die, he wanted this book to be his legacy.”
Anne McAleese’s husband Aidan died of bowel cancer three years ago.
Her family has countless memories to draw on, but they also, uniquely, have a very personal narrative they can hold in their hands.
In the months before his death, the schoolteacher fulfilled a lifelong dream: to write a book.
What began as a memoir about his childhood in County Tyrone has evolved into a story about his cancer treatment and the importance of early diagnosis.
Image source, McAleese Family
“Aidan always wanted to write a book, he always had it in the back of his mind,” his wife Anne said.
“When he got his diagnosis, he knew it was time to start writing things down.”
Characteristic hope and humor
The book traces Aidan’s stories from childhood through his teaching career and eventual cancer treatment, alternating between tales of sadness, hope and often his trademark humor.
Aidan’s daughter Éirinn fondly remembers her father writing the book at home.
“At one point he asked me to print out some of it so he could edit it the old-fashioned way with a pen,” she said.
“But I was under strict orders not to look at it until it was ready.
“I could see that he cared and really hoped it would help others.”
At Aidan’s request before his death, the small paperback was published by the McAleese family for free distribution to people the family felt would benefit from it.
At first there were only a few dozen copies, but it soon became apparent that the family needed to print more.
“The response has been incredible, the book has been passed around and we have heard stories of how it has helped other people with cancer, people Aidan hadn’t even met,” Anne said.
“We ended up giving away about 100 copies and I think one of the goals of the book for Aidan was to emphasize that if you have something wrong with you, you need to get checked out as soon as possible.”
Symptoms of bowel cancer
Before Aidan was diagnosed, he had been suffering from severe heartburn for several months, but he did not get it checked out right away.
Some cancers can cause indigestion (sometimes called heartburn) and acid reflux.
Other symptoms of bowel cancer may include stomach pain, bloating, tiredness and sudden weight loss.
“In hindsight, we obviously wish it had been looked at earlier,” Anne said.
“In the end, Aidan felt that if the book could raise awareness and help save one person, then he would feel like he had done something.”
Bowel cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Northern Ireland and around 460 people die from the disease in the country each year.
Aidan’s family hopes his book can continue to raise awareness of the symptoms.
For now, her daughter Éirinn continues to take things one page at a time.
She said: “I think it’s amazing that Dad left this legacy and it helps a lot of people, but I still find it quite difficult to read.
“I only read the fourth page.
“One day I’ll read it and I know I’ll love it, but for now, hearing what other people are saying about it is enough, I’ll read it page by page.”
