Christy Dignam has opened up about living with terminal cancer. The 56-year-old singer has two forms of the disease, multiple myeloma and amyloidosis.
Aslan frontman Christy was diagnosed with the rare conditions 4 years ago, and it has forced him to look at life differently.
Speaking exclusively to VIP Magazine, Christy recalled the time when he discovered he had cancer. He almost lost his life and the fear he felt was unimaginable.
“I started getting chest infections, and I was struggling breathing, and antibiotics were just not clearing it. One day I felt awful, but I had a gig, and I didn’t want to cancel, but Kathryn (his wife) put her foot down and called an ambulance. In the hospital, I flat-lined and they told me that if I tried to do the gig, I would have died.
“I remember the whole thing. And I knew I was dying. I’ve always said that when my time comes, I’ll be ready, because I’ve had a really fortunate life. But at that moment, I felt terror like I’ve never know,” he said.
Although he still gigs with the band, Christy understands that each day could be his last, and he’s learned to appreciate the little things, such as spending time with his daughter Kiera, and his three grandchildren, Cian, Ava and Jake.
“I try not to think about death, but when you’re lying awake in bed at night, it’s all that you think about. I spend a lot of time thinking that this could be my last meal or gig or my last Late Late Show. That said, I have done The Late Late Show and thought it was my last, and then I have done it again. But each time, the thought is in my head.
“I am very lucky. Others with my cancer have not been so lucky. But I’m sad that I won’t get to see the grandkids making their communion, and all those other important milestones in their lives.
“Being with the family are my happiest moments. When I was dying, I wasn’t remembering getting awards, or No.1 hits, or playing at Slane. I was remembering Jack sitting on my lap, watching Peppa Pig,” he said.
Catch the full interview with Christy Dignam in this month’s VIP Magazine, on shelves now.
