Emma reveals: I don’t have a lot of time left
INSPIRATIONAL AUTHOR SAYS ALL AVENUES ARE EXHAUSTED AFTER HER 13-YEAR CANCER BATTLE
BRAY author Emma Hannigan has revealed that she does not have long to live.
Emma, pictured right, writing on her blog last Friday, said: ‘All good things must come to an end. The time that I knew was borrowed must be given back soon, so it seems.
‘ The conversation I never want- ed to have has been said.
‘My medical team have thrown everything but the kitchen sink at this fight but all avenues have now been exhausted.’
A massive campaign is now under way to get Emma’s new book ‘Letters to My Daughters’ to the number one spot.
BRAY author Emma Hannigan has announced that she has little time left to live, having battled cancer for the past 13 years.
Dubray Books will donate the proceeds of Emma’s new book ‘Letters to My Daughters’ to the Irish Cancer Society.
‘All good things must come to an end,’ Emma wrote on her blog on Friday.
‘ The time that I knew was borrowed must be given back soon, so it seems.
‘ The conversation I never wanted to have has been said. My medical team have thrown everything but the kitchen sink at this fight but all avenues have now been exhausted.
‘ To say that I am heartbroken doesn’t begin to cover it.
‘But I feel I’d like to say something, after all that’s what I’ve done over the years – say stuff, write stuff and tell you what’s going down. So I feel it wouldn’t be fair to leave you out in the cold right now.
‘I’ve gained such strength from all of you. We’ve shared tips and hints and stories over the years. For all of it – thank you.
‘ Thank you for taking my hand when I needed it most and for posting all sorts from doggy snaps to moggy pics and the rest. We’ve made a great team.
‘I have a new book out. I’m immensely proud of it and it’s titled “Letters to my Daughters”.
‘Usually I’d spend a next few weeks chatting about it and inevitably daring to wonder if you like it. Because this is the time when all authors want to hide in the back of the wardrobe in case nobody likes their new baby! I won’t need to hide unfortunately, but I sincerely hope youu enjoy it.
‘ These characters were as real to me as all the others.
They grew on me and some annoyed me at times, but as always, they were mine. Enjoy them, curl up with some chocolate or some comfort food and a cup or a glass of whatever tickles your fancy.
‘Faced with very little time can I tell you what screams out at me? Love.
‘Nothing else has much meaning anymore. Just the love I feel for the people I hold dear. My two babies (ok they both tower over me, but I’m still allowed call them my babies) my husband, my parents, my family, my friends and readers.
‘ The love in my heart is all that matters now. I am broken-hearted at having to say goodbye so if it’s alright we’ll say farewell instead.
‘Mind each other. Be kind to each other and hold those you love close by.
‘Life is so very precious. We never know the day or hour that it will be whipped away. So fill your days with as much happiness as you can muster.
‘Stay away from drains, we all know them, they’re the people pull the good out of everything. The ones who suck the beauty from things and change colour to black and white. Leave them to fester – I think they’re secretly enjoying being grim.
‘Instead, gravitate towards the light and laughter. Like a moth to a flame, remembering not to get your pretty wings burnt. You’ll like it better there, I promise.
‘Farewell and thank you, I am taking a bow. Until we meet again may all that is good and decent be yours.’
Bray Wanderers have added their voice to those of a host of Irish authors encouraging readers to buy Emma’s book and ensure it reaches number one in the charts. Her father Philip is club president and long-time sponsor.
‘Emma has been battling cancer for over 13 years,’ said the club in a statement.
‘In that time she has been an inspiration to thousands who face this disease, by rraising awareness and giving advice which has saved, and wwill continue to save, many women’s lives.
‘She has done this with great good humour and grace, and has written 13 best-selling books which have made her much loved and admired.
‘If you cannot manage to get the book, please donate to the fight against breast cancer – text Cure to 50300. Emma is their proud ambassador.’
This newspaper had the pleasure of interviewing Emma a number of times over the past decade and her bright disposition, intelligence and warm welcome left a lasting impact.
She is the type of woman who makes a person feel at home. One might have blocked off half an hour for a meeting with her and still be chatting away after an hour or two.
Our thoughts are with Emma, her husband Cian, their children Sacha and Kim, and all of her family.
“I am broken-hearted at having to say goodbye so if it’s alright, we’ll say farewell instead. Mind each other. Be kind to each other and hold those you love close by”