WATCH: Emotional Shan Tynan reveals what it's like to be cancer free after months of treatment
'I have not cried since being told. I have a little bit of emotion here and there...'
A young Carlow woman who was recently given the all clear from cancer after around 18 months of intensive treatments in Texas has described her experience of the illness as "devastating" but feels proud of herself for staying so positive.
Shauntelle 'Shan' Tynan from Graiguecullen in Carlow was getting treatment in the US for a rare form of cancer after people donated over €600,000 last year to fund her journey to Texas Children’s Hospital.
She was diagnosed with a rare form of multi-system Histiocytosis X Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) but in recent weeks has been confirmed as NAD (no active disease).
In a video posted on YouTube, she said: "I have not cried since being told. I have a little bit of emotion here and there.
"I cannot believe it. I knew it was going to be unbelievable but I didn't think it would be this hard to put it in my mind that I'm cancer free. I am incredibly amazed but it definitely hasn't sunk in yet."
Watch the full video below:
Shan will have "ongoing issues" and she will remain on oral chemo as maintenance for the next 12-18 months and will travel back and forth to Texas 3-6 monthly initially and yearly for the rest of her life.
The young woman is expected to get on that plane home October 18.
In a post on Facebook recently, Shauntelle said: "I just wanted to say a humungous thank you to everyone who followed my journey, liked the page, shared my posts, donated & for everyone who helped get my story out there!
"We are so lost for words right now but wanted you all to know that my journey of active cancer has come to a close and we hope it remains that way!
"The future obstacles I will face will be worth everything I've been through. Now I truly have a chance at life and will keep you all updated to how I grow in the future."