'Accrington Pals' and other news

I have been very busy since I last wrote - lots of trips across the country and lots of catching up with people that I have not seen for a very long time. It's so lovely that, despite some recurring problems with my health, generally I am well enough to visit people and participate. I have to admit that all this stuff can be a little tiring, but I am determined to do as much as I can and embrace all the
opportunities that come at me.

On 1st July I finally returned to Berwick-upon-Tweed for the first time in about 3 years and was lucky enough to see an amazing production of 'Accrington Pals' directed by my old drama teacher - the fantastic Lydia Lee. This was organised to commemorate 100 years since the Battle of the Somme. In the lead up to this battle, the men of Accrington created a regiment of 700 men who were then sent over the top on 1st July 1916, with only about 100 men returning home. This was a very sobering and emotional performance from all involved, reminding the whole audience of the brave men that gave up their lives as well as the women who were left behind to pick up the pieces.I really want to congratulate all the people involved - Laura Catterall, Jonathan Combe, Diana Rowland, Slink Jadranko, Amy Cowen, Rachel Guthrie, Maureen Gillie, Bob Jeffrey, Trevor Hedges and Euan Duthie. They all brought the characters to life in a way that moved every member of the audience. It was truly fantastic.

I also have a personal connection with the play as I performed in it when I was at school, alongside Rachel Guthrie and other school friends, directed by Lydia. As well as this, this production was also used as a fundraiser for Anthony Nolan. I am so grateful that those involved decided to put the money raised towards the charity that helped save my life, and so happy to say that they managed to raise over £300! Thank you!

Whilst in Berwick, I also had a great evening out with a bunch of my school friends who I had not seen in a very long time. It was a fantastic reunion. I also made an appearance at my schools Founder's Day, where I delivered a speech to thank them for all their support and for partaking in fundraising activities for Anthony Nolan. Again it was lovely catching up with everyone, especially my old school teachers.

In other news, I also spent a week travelling around the highlands with my friends from Germany (Jessica and Lukas); have attended two job interviews; went to see Take That and Olly Murs in Hyde Park with Mum; and managed to graduate from university! I made the decision to just graduate with a designated degree rather than continue on to honours. After all I have been through I really want to move on from university to a new chapter of my life, and I am determined to find a job that I can throw myself into. I have not heard back from the interviews yet, but I should hopefully get some news regarding that in the next few weeks - so I will keep you updated.



Amidst all this I have been having some issues with my health. At my last appointment in Glasgow I received the news that my immune system is now 96% donor (i.e. 96% of my blood originates from my donor's stem cells that I received) - which is amazing news. However, the 4% that is still me doesn't seem to want to go down without a serious fight. I keep getting recurring GVHD every time my steroid amount is reduced, meaning that I have had a lot of fatigue and sickness in the last three weeks or so. However, I have another appointment in Glasgow tomorrow, so I am hoping that they can figure out what is going on and fix me.


...Oh, and I also managed to break my wrist during some over enthusiastic ceilidh dancing at my graduation ball. It seems that too much fun really is quite dangerous! Luckily though, my cast should be off at the very beginning of August, and I'm sure that when they remove my cast the doctors will very much enjoy all the lovely messages that my friends have written on it.

Laura xo