A well-known poet living in Galway has penned a moving tribute to cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan as she resumes life-saving treatment in the US.
The mother-of-two revealed on Thursday morning that she has returned to the States after receiving "bad news" from her doctors.
The CervicalCheck campaigner arrived on Irish soil in July after spending six months in America for medical treatment.
She had been undergoing an experimental trial in Maryland since January after she developed a new tumour for the first time in over two years.
After a social media hiatus to spend quality time with her family in Ireland, Vicky said that she is moving to a new trial after her doctors weren't "seeing the results that they would like" from her treatment in the US.
Growth in two of her tumours means that she now has to explore new treatment methods, and she added that she was struggling to keep it together for her kids after her departure.
The Irish public has extended their well-wishes to her in their thousands, with one man going a step further by writing a beautiful poem for the Kilkenny native.
Rye Aker arrived from Europe in Galway last year to document the city’s year as the European Capital of Culture.
He quickly received attention for his poems about lockdown, and subsequently published a book of poetry about his experiences.
The wordsmith has now turned his focus to Vicky Phelan, saying that as she lands in America, "it is time for us all to be her flatmates again"
In a post online, Mr Aker published a long poem about her while "sending much love and my words".
The poem opens: "The new girl moved in next door. From Ireland. And four million Irish flatmates with her, with their arragh go on at the end of each day. Asking her 'what's the craic?'."
The second verse describes Vicky as "beautiful and inspirational", with flatmates who love her "because they know one day when history sits down to write its wrongs" and as readers look up at the Irish sunlight, "there will be people who live because Vicky does".
Mr Aker praises the work the CervcalCheck campaigner did for the woman of Ireland in exposing the controversy.
He writes that she is "a Markiewicz for the new time" and "a woman who stood up for the nations that has harmed her and many others".
Vicky made Ireland a better place, he adds, saying the country will be with her in spirit as she undergoes treatment in Maryland.
People have been praising the tribute and sending their best wishes to Vicky in the process.
One person said: "Such beautiful words…..reading Vicky’s post on Instagram last night reminds me she needs a permanent national hug to remind her we are all with her on this awful journey she endures. She is inspiring and more."
Another added: "What a beautiful poem and the sentiment that goes with it. Hopefully it will bring her much comfort when she is missing home."
A third wrote: "Well said Rye Aker. Beautiful words."
