Ryan Tubridy was blown away this morning by the incredible story of an Irish couple who have faced down the odds – including horrific medical struggles – and come through the other side.
Sinead and Mike have both been diagnosed with serious health issues over the course of their 20-year marriage, with Mike battling multiple sclerosis and later dementia.
Sinead, for her part, has had to fight a condition called chronic cluster headaches – also known as suicide headaches – as well as looking after her husband as he reckons with the loss of his memory.
Tubridy was in awe at the bravery of the couple amid a story that was by turns heartbreaking and inspirational.
The pair married in the year 2000 – just two months after Mike (who's now 45) was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the aftermath of a serious road accident.
It was a devastating blow for the couple, but they fought through Mike's health issues and set about raising a happy family with two kids.
It seemed they'd had all the bad luck possible when it came to health issues, but worse was to come for the couple.
First, Sinead was diagnosed with chronic cluster headaches, leaving her in agony and necessitating trips to London for treatment.
Then, even more worryingly, Sinead told Ryan she started noticing "changes in Mike.
"It was like being married to a stranger," she said heartbreakingly.
Mike began behaving aggressively at times, subjecting Sinead to name-calling.
Then came the incident that changed everything.
"In summer of 2017, there was an episode where Mike became physically violent towards me," Sinead said.
The couple were shook by the incident, and worse, Mike couldn't remember it the next day.
For Sinead, it was a terrifying experience, and not like her husband at all.
"Mike has a very calm and gentle nature," she said.
Aged just 45, Mike discovered he had dementia – leaving him battling with memory loss and other mental issues.
After a year of struggling – during which time Sinead continued to receive treatment for her headaches, which are much better now – they figured out a care plan that would allow Mike to get the treatment he needs from home.
It hadn't been easy (Sinead told Ryan she hit "rock bottom" at times), but they had reached a place where the whole family – Sinead, Mike and their children Luke and Ava – could tackle the issue head-on.
Mike said his biggest fear is that an escalation of his condition could force him into a care facility.
But he added that staying busy around the house allows him to keep going.
And the couple are both at home now, where they say they're lucky to be able to care for each other.
"I'm very glad to be at home with Mike, said Sinead. "I'm really, really lucky to be able to stay at home and mind Mike.
"And equally Mike minds me – there's two of us in this together."
