Dearbhla Mescal, mother of actor Paul Mescal and singer Nell Mescal, has publicly shared her experience battling multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. The retired Garda (Irish police officer) revealed her diagnosis and subsequent journey to remission, a story she chronicles in her newly released book, Finding Joy: Capturing the Beauty of Ordinary Life in 28 Days.
Mescal first received her diagnosis in 2022, a stark contrast to a seemingly ordinary day. As she recounted on Friday’s Late Late Show, she was watching a tennis match at Wimbledon when her life took an unexpected turn. “I was watching a tennis match on centre court… and literally seven days later I was going to the sixth floor of the Beacon hospital, which is oncology,” she said. The emotional weight of informing her children – Donnacha, Nell, and Paul – proved particularly challenging, especially given their geographical distances at the time. Donnacha was beginning a new chapter in New York, Nell was based in London, and Paul was immersed in filming All of Us Strangers.
The road to recovery involved a stem cell transplant in 2023, and Mescal is now thankfully in remission. She emphasized the fortunate circumstances surrounding her care, stating, “I was incredibly, incredibly lucky. I happened to end up in a hospital which was the centre of excellence for my cancer.” Her doctor, Patrick Hadyen, played a crucial role not only in her treatment but also in allowing her to experience significant life events, even during a difficult time.
Remarkably, Mescal’s cancer journey coincided with a period of immense professional success for her son, Paul. She received the news of his Oscar nomination for Aftersun during her treatment. “We got the news on the family WhatsApp of Paul’s wonderful news and my doctor… was so wonderful,” she shared. Despite her illness, she was able to attend the Oscars as Paul’s plus one, a testament to her resilience and her doctor’s encouragement to embrace life’s experiences. “Doctors want you to live the fullest life you can have even if you are sick,” she explained. “So they want you to have all the life experiences. He allowed me to live and enjoy through a very dark, awful time.”
The publication of Finding Joy stems from an online journal Mescal kept during her treatment, encouraging others to find and share moments of happiness. The book reflects a conscious effort to focus on positivity amidst adversity. The 57-year-old Wicklow native’s openness about her battle comes ahead of the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day on March 20th, where she was photographed wearing a daffodil, a symbol of hope, and support.
Mescal’s story resonates not only as a personal triumph over cancer but also as a poignant illustration of family support and the importance of finding joy even in the face of profound challenges. Her willingness to share her experience offers a message of hope and resilience to others navigating similar journeys. The timing of her public disclosure, coinciding with the release of her book and the approach of Daffodil Day, underscores her commitment to raising awareness and offering encouragement to those affected by cancer.
The family’s presence on The Late Late Show – including Paul, Nell, and Donnacha – highlighted the close-knit bond that sustained them through this difficult period. While the details of each family member’s individual reactions to the diagnosis weren’t explicitly shared, their collective appearance signaled a unified front and a shared sense of gratitude for Dearbhla’s recovery.
The intersection of Paul Mescal’s rising Hollywood star and his mother’s health battle adds another layer to the narrative. His Oscar nomination and subsequent success provided a source of joy and distraction during a challenging time, while his mother’s unwavering spirit served as an inspiration. The story is a reminder that even amidst the glamour and excitement of the entertainment industry, personal struggles and triumphs remain deeply intertwined.
Dearbhla Mescal’s journey, as detailed in her book and shared on The Late Late Show, is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of family, and the enduring human capacity to find joy even in the darkest of times. Her story is available to view on the RTÉ Player.
