‘We are heartbroken to have lost our eldest son’

THE HEARTBROKEN family of Paul McGhee has remembered him as “selfless, uncomplaining and easygoing” before he passed away due to complications accrued from a stem cell transplant, and following a battle with cancer.

Paul (24) left a lasting impression on those that he met throughout his short, but full, life.

“We are heartbroken to have lost our eldest son, Paul,” his mam, Denise McGhee, told The Echo.

“He did win his battle against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma but lost out to post stem cell complications/side effects.

“He has left a legacy behind him. We saw how loved he was at his funeral.

“Hundreds of people paid their respects in and outside of the church.

“Fly high Paul, this world was just a stepping stone to greater things for you.

“You made us so proud.”

Paul McGhee celebrates his 24th birthday, in August 2021

Prior to his diagnosis, the end of 2019 was a good period in Paul’s life with the young man meeting the “love of his life” Joanna, graduating with a degree from TU Dublin and starting a job in AIB.

However, in December of that year, he discovered a lump on his chest bone which enlarged rapidly over the Christmas period.

Following an x-ray in Tallaght University Hospital and other consultations, Paul was diagnosed, at the age of 22, with stage two Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of cancer that affects the lymphatic system.

This all happened at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic was in its infancy, with Paul needing to attend much of his chemotherapy sessions throughout 2020 alone.

After receiving the all-clear, it was advised that the Firhouse man undergo an autologous stem cell transplant, which is using his own blood, and in the November, he did.

In the intervening months, throughout 2021, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma returned, Paul underwent immunotherapy treatment, chemotherapy, and immunosuppressive therapy.

Paul during his time in hospital

Paul’s blood type was changed from O+ to A+ after undergoing an allogeneic stem cell transplant last November and developed a series of other complications as a result.

He developed Host Versus Graft disease, Lympho-proliferative disorder caused by Epstein Bar, a severe eye infection and a haemorrhage that required an operation.

With his condition deteriorating, Paul received CAR T-cell therapy, a form of treatment which gets immune cells to fight cancer by changing them in a lab in March of this year.

However, the disease levels increased, and in April, Paul developed severe sepsis and pneumonia, with his parents Jem and Denise along with his younger brothers, Stephen and Jason, called into St James’s Hospital to say goodbye.

Despite digging deep, the medical team passed Paul over to the palliative team and he was later transferred to Harold’s Cross Hospice, where he spent six weeks before dying two weeks ago.

“Paul was the most selfless, uncomplaining, and easygoing patient during his two-and-a-half-year illness,” Denise says.

“He bore it with a strength and dignity that very few do.

“He had a smile on his face most days, always asking the staff and his family how they were doing.”

The young Firhouse man was always smiling, even as he underwent treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and the resulting battle with side effects.

He loved sharing cooking recipes through his Instagram page Cook with Me Paul McGhee, and was always quick with a recommendation for Netflix or a takeaway.

A massive football man, Paul was a beloved volunteer coach with Firhouse Carmel FC and fan of Liverpool FC.

Throughout his illness, Liverpool legends such as Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler and Ian Rush, along with former St Patrick’s Athletic player Paul McGrath sent messages of support to Paul.

On July 12, at the age of just 24, Paul died in the care of Harold’s Cross Hospice.

Just two months before he died, Paul wrote a poem called ‘Passing’ while in St James’s Hospital.

Paul sent the poem to his mother, Denise, and said “mam, you’ll know when to read this”.

Denise read ‘Passing’ at the funeral of her “incredibly brave and strong son” in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Firhouse, on July 15.

Members of Firhouse Carmel formed a guard of honour outside the church and at the summer camp as the cortege drove by.

Paul is survived by his parents Denise and Jem, brothers Stephen and Jason, and will be sorely missed by his girlfriend Joanna, nana Mona along with his family, friends and neighbours.

PASSING

By Paul McGhee

If I don’t make it through the night,

I hope you remember my fight.

My fight to win my fight to live,

And to all the love I still had to give.

To my friends, I wish you well.

I hope I’ve left you with lots to tell.

Memories of me I hope you are fond,

Especially adventures had across the pond.

To my family I love you so,

But this is my time to go,

I know you remember me,

As the man whom I’m proud to be.

To my Joanna, my star, my sun,

I hope you know you’re the special one.

I was so lucky to call you mine,

I just wish we had more time.

Memories we’ll never make,

For too early, my life the world did take.

As I slip away into the dark,

I hope upon you all, I left my mark.