Emma Hannigan
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A new month, a new beginning

6/2/2016

52 Comments

 
Greetings from my hospital bed!

The sun is shining and I can see the twinkling deep blue sea as the early morning haze promises a stunning day ahead. 
So, I had scans and they confirmed what my medical team and I suspected. The nasty tablets haven't worked. So all the sickness, dizziness, headaches and general misery sadly weren't yielding much. So we've all decided that it's time to stop them (hurray) and go for some chemotherapy. 
I am probably in the minority when I tell you that I'm ecstatic at the thought of it! The pain in my right shoulder and neck are excruciating. I'm eating nerve blockers and pain meds like smarties. I'm very restricted with what I can do because of the pain. I am swollen and starting to resemble an American football player as my own built-in shoulder pads expand by the day. Fluid, swelling, tumours and itchy skin aren't making me look or feel my best.
There's nothing attractive about cancer and right now I'm feeling about as ravishing as a rabid dog. God bless my hubby (we'll be 18 years married on June 4th) I'm thinking of buying him a black out eye mask so he doesn't have to look at me! 
But enough moaning and feeling sorry for myself - the news is good. I'll be having a mixture of two drugs, my old pal Avastin along with Cisplatin. There's a lot of fluids required as Cisplatin can be mean and nasty to the kidneys, so the answer is to 'flush'. So I've been in hospital since yesterday being 'flushed' with a saline drip. Before you do the head tilt to the side and think, ah God love her... I've read magazines, had my dinner handed to me and even got a bit of writing done. 
I know I'll suffer the usual side effects that come free with chemotherapy. But once I get the pattern of this drug, I'll manage. The tablets I was on were hideous. The nausea was constant and there was zero let up as I was on them continuously. So intermittent sickness, no matter how bad, will be preferable. Quite frankly, the side effects are the least of my worries any way. I'll deal with them and I have a great team here minding me. My main focus is on the fact that this cocktail promises to kill the cancer. After that, nothing else matters. 
There are all sorts of plans for tablets afterwards too. Ones that can stop the cancer from coming back. There are so many exciting things happening in the world of cancer and I know I am privileged to be party to that.
I hope it's sunny where you are today. I know I've got a tough but utterly worthwhile day ahead. I'm ready willing and able and I hope to be back here soon reporting some good news. 
Bring it on! 
Love and light 

Emma x 
52 Comments
Sinéad Buckley Quinn
6/2/2016 01:02:21 am

Your sense of humour is incorrigible! "Black out mask"...you're too funny! I am sending you hugs and warm wishes from Dún Laoghaire on this sunny day knowing that you will be out soon enjoying it too! Keep up the good fight and your American Footballer look will be a distant memory soon! Lots of love Sinéad xxx (Buckley Quinn)

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 04:30:46 am

Thanks Sinead! Yes I'm hoping to look more "normal" again soon. Hope you're well xxx Emma

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Marie Phil Allman
6/2/2016 01:08:08 am

I am praying for you Emma. You are one brave lady. I love your books and I am reading your last one at the moment. Keep smiling. Philxx

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 04:31:54 am

Thanks Phil & I'm delighted you're reading my books. Hope you enjoy them xx

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Jan Jones
6/2/2016 01:09:36 am

I so admire your courage and fighting spirit Emma. You are an inspiration to anyone fighting the big C. I'm fighting with you sending positive thoughts and and healing wishes to you. Wishing you all the best and thank you for letting me be a part of your fight. Love Jan. Xx 😘

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 04:32:40 am

Thank you Jan for being so supportive xxx

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marian conroy
6/2/2016 01:21:29 am

There are lots of sunny days ahead for you missus...you have a lot of books to write to keep me smiling. Wishing you normal days again xxx

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 04:33:49 am

Thanks Marian, yes I'll be out in the sun before I know it! More books on the way too xx

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vanessa munnelly
6/2/2016 01:37:46 am

Hi Emma. Stay strong and remember countdown to finishing is now on and not countdown to starting this awful cemo. All luck in world to you. Heres to healty happy days ahead ♡♡♡

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 04:34:46 am

Yes, I like your style - the countdown is on!! Xxx

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Maura O'Brien
6/2/2016 02:31:27 am

Emma - you are an amazing woman. God bless

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 04:35:22 am

Thank you Maura xx

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Helen
6/2/2016 02:33:13 am

You're amazing... strength in humour, you're an inspiration! Now go get that bastard!!! Thinking of you as always. Lots of love
Hx

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 04:36:27 am

Thanks Helen! The gloves are off - or on?! Xx

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Lisa denvir
6/2/2016 02:34:25 am

Emma. You ROCK. I am in awe of your light. I am sending you love best wishes and the the positivity I can muster from very sunny Darwin Aussie xxx

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 04:37:13 am

Aw thanks Lisa. Hope you're really well xx

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Louise Poynton
6/2/2016 02:47:45 am

Emma I can sympaths so much with you, I tried a clinic trail from last June 2015 which work very well until Feb 2016, then I was recommended to try another clinic trail which turned out to be hell on earth for me, like you I had consent vomiting even with all my anti sickness and lots of pain because I couldn't keep pain meds down. I had to have a pump connected 24/7 to pump anti sickness and pain meds. Then pain meds gave me other side effects and I had 4 stays in hospital and like yourself the treatment didn't work and my tumours had started to grow again so my docs stop the treatment and I started new chemo last week which has made a huge difference I am starting to feel a bit normal again and hope to be able to get out and about in a few weeks I am so fed up
of looking at the same 4 walls and the inside of the toilet!!! Wishing you all the best with your chemo and your recovery ps: keep on writing, your books are fab xxxx💞

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 04:39:19 am

Thank you Louise! I'm sorry to hear you've had such a horrible time too. That's so great that the chemo is working. We'll battle side by side. I hope you're up and about soon xxx

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Julie Adamson
6/2/2016 02:56:52 am

Positive thoughts from Wellington, NZ, Emma. I hope the chemo soon kicks in so that you feel stronger and able to enjoy your wedding anniversary. Love and light back to you. xxxx

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 04:41:11 am

Hi Julie! How lovely to get greetings from so far away! I'm looking forward to our anniversary & I'll keep fighting. Thanks again xx Emma

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Sarah miller
6/2/2016 04:21:46 am

I am so sorry you are going through all that again Emma. So lovely to see your still the same as that very first day I met you. As I read your words it's exactly as if u are sitting next to me talking to me.
Hope all goes well with this first new treatment, I am sure you will do fine as always. Say hi to all the oldies in the hospital for me. Miss u all. Xxxxxx

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 04:43:35 am

Hi Sarah! I'll tell the girls you say hello! How are you? Do you remember you were the one who administered my very first chemo? It worked then & I know it'll work now. Hope you're really well Hun xxx

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Natalie McDonald
6/2/2016 05:07:47 am

Emma you give hope to so many people,you are a breath of fresh ( Irish)air,I wish you well with your treatment & hope you & your husband enjoy your anniversary xx

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 05:16:55 am

Thanks Natalie! I'm delighted to share the Irish air xxx Emma

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Dervilla O'Flynn
6/2/2016 05:10:55 am

Hi Emma, ****'* hell! You have me in smiley tears missus. Met up with Tiffany 2 weeks ago and she showed me a great pic of you( well just your eyewear!) and mentioned your hell so I am delighted to hear, you're going back a different route. my menopausal flushes that I've been trying to hide from my younger co workers is something I will not complain about anymore😓😳! Happy anniversary toy you and Cian xxxx

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 05:19:26 am

Aw thanks Derv! It was lovely to see Tiff. No sobbing into the quiches or making sad bikkies! All will be well again soon. I'm up & running here do the fight back has begun! Love to your gang & hope to have a girls lunch soon?! Maybe? 😘 Xxx

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Olive shaughnessy
6/2/2016 06:05:45 am

Emma I think you're incredible, I contact you before as I was dignosed Dec 14, and struggled to find a good read and you talk to the head scarf carried me, I went on to read all of your book- loving them all and then wrote my own book - my olive branch, my second chance ( eBay) Emma I follow you and your story and wish you nothing but good wishes light and love, the world need women like you xxx

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 08:19:36 am

Hi Olive, congratulations on your own book! I hope you're well & thanks for the kind wishes xx Emma

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Sandy Verdonk
6/2/2016 06:44:33 am

Hi Emma,
I have just finished reading your book, 'Talk to the Headscarf'. It doesn't feel right to say that I enjoyed, but I did. You have an amazing natural talent of story telling. In this case, your own. I popped onto your website, to see if you have kicked cancers butt for good and was sad to see that it has returned. What a journey. Stay positive and remember that you are supported and loved around the world. Here in Australia, I thoroughly enjoy reading your books. :)

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 08:21:16 am

Hi sandy! Thank you for saying you enjoyed it - if it helps I laughed out loud writing it!! Thanks for your kind wishes all the way from Oz xxx

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That Eric Bloke
6/2/2016 07:30:31 am

Keep on fighting and the bestest of best vibes and luck to you.

Also, you might just be the most photogenic person in Ireland, along with Cillian Murphy. You're funnier though. :)

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 08:23:00 am

Wow - Cilian & little me in the same sentence! Thanks for the good vibes, I've absorbed them electronically!! Xx

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Sarah Terry
6/2/2016 08:11:42 am

So sorry to hear you've been having the shittiest time Emma but relieved you're starting an alternative route and wishing you the very best results and can kick that Cancer to the kerb for GOOD! Will be thinking of you and sending loads of positives vibes across the sea to you. xxxx

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 08:25:00 am

Hi Sarah! Aw how lovely to hear from you. Thanks for the kind wishes & please send my love to Sue & all the family xxx

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Jane Evans
6/2/2016 08:15:53 am

Emma - you are officially the world's toughest cookie! You've just made report and test writing in the sun seem like all my holidays rolled into one! Katie Taylor's not the only world fighting champion in Bray! Xo

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 08:27:04 am

Hi Jane! Haha I still wouldn't fancy my chances against our girl Katie!! Poor you doing correcting. Hope it's finished soon & you're able to relax with bump. Love to you both xxx

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Mary
6/2/2016 09:09:06 am

Hi Emma you are brilliant. Iv just finished a year of treatment and all is good a day at a time. Wishing the same for you

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Emma Hannigan
6/2/2016 09:18:56 am

Ah bless you Mary. I'm thrilled for you. I hope you stay well now. I'm very hopeful that I'll be following in your footsteps shortly. Thanks xx Emma

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Anne Marie
6/2/2016 01:01:46 pm

Hi Emma, wishing you all the very best, and keep smiling with that brilliant positive outlook, you'll get through this 😀💐👍

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Emma Hannigan
6/3/2016 12:14:50 am

Thanks Anne Marie, I'm blessed to have so many people behind me too! X

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Louize Petch
6/2/2016 01:19:59 pm

Emma you are such a great gal! I love your spirit - what an inspiration you are to us all whose lives cancer has made an unwelcome appearance
Lots of love xxxx

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Emma Hannigan
6/3/2016 12:16:02 am

Hi Louize, thanks for your kind words. They mean a lot!
Emma xx

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Janine Edgeworth
6/2/2016 02:06:53 pm

Wishing you all the best Emma and Sending you lots of positive vibes! my dad has recently been given all clear from cancer having under gone chemo and all sorts. Cancer treatments are amazing now, I'm sure this is the final part of your cancer journey and it will be goodbye shitty cancer for good! Xxx

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Emma Hannigan
6/3/2016 12:18:25 am

Hi Janine
I'm delighted & inspired to hear that you dad is on the road to recovery. Yes cancer treatments have improved no end. I hope he stays well & ive great hope that I'll come out the other end of this too.
Love & light to you & your family
Emma xx

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Anne
6/2/2016 03:48:56 pm

just to say I will keep you in my thoughts and hope you feel better soon, I admire your courage xx

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Emma Hannigan
6/3/2016 12:19:37 am

Thank Anne, that means so much to me. Hope you're well.
Emma xx

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Nikki Walsh
6/3/2016 12:59:55 am

Darling Emma, love you and thinking about you x x x

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Emma Hannigan
6/3/2016 01:46:23 am

Ah Nikki Hunny! Thanks for thinking of me. Love you too and hope all is well in your home. Keep up the great work at Lady Eve xxx

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Catherine
6/4/2016 02:53:17 pm

Thanks Emma for all your very helpful tips over the years. Wishing you every possible good thing that you would wish for yourself and happy Anniversary to you both👏💕

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Val link
6/15/2016 06:53:03 am

I picked up your book "The secrets we share" loved it couldn't put it down, now want to read all the others.
Wish you good,long healthy life so you can keep on writing

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Liz Hyland
6/15/2016 07:46:15 am

Emma, I just want to wish you the very best with your treatment. I think you are amazing and truly inspiring. I'm halfway through chemo for the first time and here you are going through it for the tenth.....
Sending you lots of love xxx

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eleanor link
6/28/2016 11:42:26 am

lots of hugs and good wishes to you emma ive been following you for a while now and think youre just amazing. heres to a speedy recovery cant wait to read your next book xx

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