Just under two years ago, we visited Susan McCann in her beautiful home in Newry, where she spoke about her worries concerning the health of her husband Dennis after he had suffered a heart scare.
Susan and Dennis have been together since they were 16. Back then, she told us: “We talk about being left without each other since the week he was in hospital, although I hate those conversations. I’d be hopeless without him, I think I would give up, I couldn’t see myself going on without him and he feels the same way,” she admitted.
Little did the county music sensation realise that within 24 months she would be facing a serious health scare herself.
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Now, after a tough battle with bowel cancer, Susan has been given the all clear, although she is still struggling with the trauma of the diagnosis.
Here, she tells RSVP Country that she is grateful to be alive and appreciates things like the love of her family, her music and her fans more than ever.
"I had an operation on the 4th of September. I saw my consultant a few weeks later and he told me that I was very lucky because the cancer was caught early. He said I could have been in trouble if it had gone on.
"Thankfully, I didn’t need to get a colostomy bag, he just cut away the part of the bowel that was affected and stitched it up again, and he confirmed the cancer was confined to my bowel," she says.
Susan says the experience was traumatising. "You have no idea. Terrified wasn’t the word, I will never forget it. I had to go into the hospital twice before I had the surgery to have iron infused into my body because my iron was so low I wouldn’t have been fit for the operation.
"At this time I really relied on my faith. I got a blessing using a Padre Pio relic belonging to Brendan Rodgers, which was once a piece of cloth bandage that was wrapped around Pio’s heart. I believe that helped save me. Brendan, who lives in the Black Mountains overlooking Belfast, has helped so many people. There are some good videos of him on YouTube."
Susan says the diagnosis led to her realising the important things in life. "I thank God every day that I am free of cancer. I appreciate the small things in life more than ever. I used to be fussing about the house and about material things that I know now don’t matter.
"I don’t worry if my bed is made, whereas small things like that, which used to annoy me, no longer do. I realise how lucky I am and I don’t care if somebody comes into the house and I have no makeup on or if the place is untidy.
"Every day you wake up is a good day, especially after you get the scare of cancer. It is the worst word that anyone can say to you but when you’re in the clear it’s wonderful. Your health really is your wealth and you only realise that when you or a loved one gets sick."
To read the full interview, pick up a copy of RSVP's Country Music Special, in shops now.
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