Greetings one and all!
It's a month since I posted a blog and so much has happened. I'm in hospital again, waiting for chemotherapy #3. The fantastic news for me is that it's working like a dream! Most of my tumours are gone with only a couple remaining. I'm hoping todays bag o' drugs will hammer them on the head. 
The side effects are certainly apparent. I'm exhausted for the week after treatment and there's a bit of nausea, but nothing horrendous. Nothing like the dreaded tablets I was on. Anything would be a walk in the park after those! 
I'm in hospital every two weeks for a sleep over and so far it's been fine. I suffered a minor set back last week when a dose of cold sores decided to descend on me. My lip, mouth and throat were infested and I looked like Elephant woman with scabies. knowing my system was low, Mr UTI infection moved in and had a party. So I ended up on antibiotics and antivirals while dealing with the chemotherapy tiredness. Anyone who has had chemotherapy will know the all encompassing exhaustion that creep over your entire body. It's a little like early stages of pregnancy - a constant sicky feeling with fatigue that means you could sleep on a bed of nails in the middle of a motorway quite happily. 
But, all these things are transient. They only last a short time and I know my body will kick back. Today, two weeks on from the last treatment I'm feeling almost normal! 
At the end of the day, none of the side effects are important. They are annoying and mean bed rest and medication. But that is totally doable. The prize is within my grasp now. I know I'm getting better and that the cancer is being obliterated. Nothing compares to that! 
I'm very restricted with what I can do, but last Friday I was thrilled to be able to attend a fundraising lunch at Marco Pierre White's restaurant in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland. Hosted by the wonderful Elaine Crowley, who Irish readers will know and love from TV3's Midday, it was a really special event. Champagne and a delicious lunch were followed by a live version of the Midday show. I was on the panel alongside Norah Casey (publisher, cancer survivor & generally extraordinary lady), Triona McCarthy (beauty journalist & presenter & sister of the late Tricia who passed away from cancer), Paula McClean (cancer survivor & Breast Cancer Ireland patient ambassador) and Dr Siun Walsh (breast surgeon & all round astonishing person). People were incredibly generous with donations and I hope the frank and honest discussion will encourage women to become breast aware and look after themselves. As we all know, early detection is key when it comes to breast cancer. So if you haven't already done so, please use the link below and download this free app to your smart phone or tablet and mind yourself. 
http://www.breastcancerireland.com/education-awareness/our-free-app/ 
Also as the lunch I was presented with a divine handmade collar by Elaine de Roiste. There's nothing like receiving a surprise gift - especially when it's covered in sparkles! 
To add to my current excitement, my latest novel, 'The Perfect Gift' will be out in paperback on July 1st in Ireland and on July 14th in the UK! If you're going on holiday perhaps you'd pick up a copy and enjoy it by the pool, on the beach or where ever your down time is taking you this summer. 
I'm hooked up to my chemotherapy now, so I'll fly! 
Love and light to you all,
​Emma x

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