Laura was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) when she was just 16. She started having chemotherapy immediately, however complications occurred at every stage. In the second month she developed chronic pneumonia and septicaemia. After suffering from seizures, doctors discovered the leukaemia had travelled to Laura’s brain. After a spell in intensive care, Laura’s family where informed that she may not make it. However, after miraculously pulling through and being given a choice of treatments, Laura chose a bone marrow transplant. Prior to this she required a five day dose of intense chemotherapy and total body irradiation, which caused nose bleeds and vomiting. After the transplant she developed acute poly motor neuropathy. Now Laura has severe headaches caused by two benign tumours which cause ischemia and dizziness. Laura also requires a wheelchair, has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia (a chronic pain condition), calibre fibre neuropathy (a degenerative form), and has migraines caused by the chemotherapy that helped to save her life.
Lately I’ve been in pain that is indescribable, some days I can’t get out of bed. I wake up and wonder where I’m hurting today and hope that it’s not somewhere new. I was diagnosed 12 years ago and now I’m back in a wheelchair, on 14 tablets a day. I’m grateful to be alive, I know chemo saved my life back then, but it’s also ruining it right now. It’s very scary not knowing what the future holds
0161 295 3864 