'Each day you are alive and healthy, is a day to be appreciated'

My name is Edel Cashman. I’m a 22-year-old student from a dairy and poultry farm in Co Cork. I’m currently in third year, studying animal and crop production in University College Dublin (UCD). Semester two of third year is dedicated to professional work experience (PWE). This consists of at least four weeks placement in each enterprise – beef, pigs, tillage, sheep and dairy.

I received a liver transplant in October 2018 as a result of an autoimmune liver disease which I was diagnosed with when I was nine. I managed it with medication, so I was well a lot of the time and most people didn’t know I was sick at all. I preferred it that way, I didn’t want any sympathy, or to be treated differently. I was – and still am – determined to live a “normal” life, the same as everyone else, with no special allowances or treatments.

Secondary school was a bit more difficult. Fatigue was probably the most debilitating symptom I had, so I just had to manage that and rest when I needed it.

I did ag science as an extra subject for Leaving Cert and it was the one subject I loved. Fresh air and milking cows was my idea of a break, and the farm was where I went when I needed to clear my head.

In fifth year, I did some research and found the agricultural science course in UCD and I knew straight away that it was for me. I applied for the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme in sixth year in case I got sick before or during the exams.

Being registered with the DARE scheme in college was very helpful

Although I didn’t need it for the Leaving Cert, it took a lot of pressure off me as I wasn’t worried about getting sick. It also allowed me to complete my exams in a separate exam centre with fewer students and some extra time for completing the exam. Being registered with the DARE scheme in college was very helpful, especially when I got my transplant.

The big move

I started first year in college in 2015 and made the move to Dublin (except at weekends, like every ag student – home for some fresh air and mammy’s cooking).

I was with people who had the same interests as me, unlike secondary school. It was taxing, physically, for me, along with my illness, but I loved it.

I spent about a month in hospital during which time I was assessed for a liver transplant

The staff in the UCD School of Agriculture programme office were always so helpful and accommodating if I ever had a problem.

Second year began in 2016. However, in October, I was stopped in my tracks when I got an infection in my liver, causing sepsis.

I spent about a month in hospital during which time I was assessed for a liver transplant. I was put on the liver transplant waiting list on 12 December 2016. I spent the next 22 months waiting for the call for my transplant.

I had to put a halt to my studies then, of course, and return home to recover. The following September, in 2017, I returned to college for my second attempt at second year.

As a result of my circumstances, I was able to apply for campus accommodation. I wouldn’t have been able to complete the year if I wasn’t living on campus as the commuting to and from college would just have been too tiring.

September 2018 came around and I was still waiting. My health was deteriorating so the decision to return to college again was not an easy one.

I was really struggling mentally

I didn’t really feel as though I was able for it, but the alternative to stay at home indefinitely was just not an option. I was really struggling mentally at this point.

I felt as though all my friends were moving on with their lives – and rightly so – but I was being left behind. I did return to college but after about three weeks I had to come home. I just wasn’t able for it, physically.

The call

About a week later, the call finally came. The surgery went very well, and I spent about two weeks in hospital following the transplant.

I spent the next few months recovering at home and discovering this new lease of life that I had been given. I had never had so much energy in my life.

It was like my life had been on pause and I could now finally press play again

I returned to the gym, enjoyed reading again, but most of all, I enjoyed the luxury of being able to plan my life again.

It was like my life had been on pause and I could now finally press play again. I returned to college again in September 2019 for my second attempt at third year.

It was a new year group for me again which wasn’t ideal, but this time I was healthy, so I had the energy for all the challenges that came my way.

Setbacks

When the time came to start planning placement, I realised I was now well enough to take the opportunity of completing dairy placement in New Zealand for four months.

However, although I had cleared it with my own doctors, shortly before I left for New Zealand, my visa was declined by New Zealand immigration due to my medical history.

I then planned to go to a farm in the Highlands in Scotland instead for lambing on the 23 March. That is of course cancelled due to COVID-19

This was a huge disappointment for me, and seemed so unfair, as I was so ready and able for the challenge.

I then planned to go to a farm in the Highlands in Scotland instead for lambing on the 23 March. That is of course cancelled due to COVID-19. So, for the time being I am farming at home.

I have never been so thankful to live on a farm and out in the country.

I don’t know who my donor is, but I am and forever will be so thankful to her

I hope that by sharing my story and raising awareness about organ donation, I might be able to help even one person going through something similar to what I went through.

I don’t know who my donor is, but I am and forever will be so thankful to her. She has given me the chance to live my life again and I will never be able to thank her and her family enough.

After college, I’m not sure what area I would like to work in, but that’s the beauty of agriculture and of the ag science course – there are so many options and avenues available.

Hopefully I will complete some more placement before September and see where my interests lie, but if not, that’s OK.

I have been through enough in life already to learn not to worry too much about the future and things we cannot control. Each day you are alive and healthy, is a day to be appreciated.