Some of my readers have known for a while that my husband after several months of illness has been undergoing a lot of tests at hospital. This week the doctors confirmed our suspicions that Ned has Hodgkins Disease, which in plain terms is cancer of the lymphatic system. This was not a horrible shock to us, more of a relief as we had known for several weeks that this was the most likely diagnosis. Ned has been unwell for a long time, and to be able to move forward with treatment is great. Ironically one of the symptoms has been several large lumps in Ned’s throat.
Over the next six month we will be having chemotherapy once a fortnight. Obviously this will be a major upheaveal, as we will still be trying to be the best parents that we can, while working (Ned still wants too) and coping with the quite horrendous side effects of chemo.
One thing that I have really enjoyed over the last few months has been writing and researching my blog, and I in no way want to to give this up, I feel I have learned and gained a lot from the expereince and I still have more to do. However it will be more trying for me to find the time to dedicate to it which it really needs. This is where my readers come in. The guest blogs are a lot easier than writing whole pieces myself, I just need to organise and edit. So if you would like to help me out, and would like to write a guest post, please feel free to drop me a line with your ideas. mairisharratt@yahoo.co.uk
A lump in the throat 
Hi Mairi,
Very sorry to hear about this, and wish you and the family all the best through this tricky time. If I can find the time I’ll try and write you a guest post in the next little while.
Love to you, sweets —
C x
Sorry to hear this, Mairi – I will be thinking of you over the next few months and hoping Ned doesn’t have too bad a time with chemo. No ideas just at present, but let me know if there is anything I can do.
Really sorry to hear this, Mairi. Hope things go as well as they can with the chemo.
I could do a guest blog if it would help you out, although I’d need to come up with an idea first.
I am sorry to hear about that. I hope your blog will be better and better.
Thanks for your good wishes everyone. Thanks for the offer of a guest post Rob, I know I would be interested in hearing how you went about putting together The Opposite of Cabbagge. All the processes involved in a first collection. It must be an emotional journey.
Wishing you and your husband the very best possible outcome.
Hey Mairi,
So sorry to hear about Ned: Poleson let me know a few days ago when I was over to meet wee Faye. Best wishes to both of you, and I hope it all goes as well as possible. If you fancy a post about promoting live poetry or something like that, let me know: I really enjoy your blogs!
All the best
Jenny
Thanks Jenny
I will send your best to Ned. Just had the first chemo session last week and it went as well as you can expect chemo to go, which in reality is pretty grim.
A post about live poetry would be great, I’m sure a lot of people don’t realize the work that goes on behind the scenes. I also think a lot of younger poets may be interested in how to start setting up nights themselves. Will look forward to reading.
Mairi