Update 29.12.19

As we approach the end of the year (and the decade!) I just wanted to update you on Laura’s progress.

In the last couple of months Laura has been working hard trying to balance her university studies with a week each month on Chemo and a further week of treatment in Cologne, it’s not been easy for her and she’s also had a couple of sickness bugs to deal with but despite everything, she continues to do well.

Alongside the studies Laura’s also been working hard in her role as Young Ambassador for the Brain Tumour Charity, we organised a Twilight Walk in October, and a Christmas shopping event at Giddy Kippers which has taken our cumulative fundraising to well over £5,000.

She’s also really excited to be on the final shortlist of 3 for the Brain Tumour Charity’s ‘Influencer of the Year’ award, the charity have provided lots of support for our family and Laura takes her ambassador role very seriously so she’s really pleased to have been nominated (the awards evening is in May so will keep you updated!)

In terms of her bucket list, Laura attended the Trafalgar Day dinner with the Royal Navy University Corps last month, an event she just missed out on when she was diagnosed last year. She also spent a brilliant day at Blackpool Airport with the lovely people from Fly2Help charity.

Laura has always been a huge fan of Aardman Animation, especially Wallace and Gromit and she was absolutely thrilled to spend the day at the studios in Bristol. She spent time chatting to Nick Park and toured the studios, even making her own short Morph animation.

Earlier this month Laura decided that for Christmas she wanted to open Giddy Kippers (our children’s play centre) for struggling families in our area, she felt strongly that having been on the receiving end of so much kindness this year she wanted to give some back.

So we opened on Boxing Day and served over 200 Christmas dinners and gave out hundreds of presents (through our wonderful Santa) to families who were having a tough time. it was a brilliant day and it was great to be able to spread some Christmas magic.

Last Christmas Laura was horribly sick all day, she didn’t get to eat her lunch and was barely out of bed at all. We didn’t know whether we’d share another one with her and we were desperately sad. This year she was so much better and that made Christmas really special for us all.

So looking to the future, Laura has her final round of chemo in January and from February she’ll start the Dendritic cell vaccination protocol in Cologne, she’ll be having her next scan in January too which is always a bit nerve wracking for us. Without you, we wouldn’t have been able to start the immunotherapy treatment in Germany and for that and for your continued support and love, we are truly grateful.

From all of our family, we hope that you’ve had a lovely Christmas and that 2020 is full of happiness and good health.

Much love Nicola, Mark, Laura and Gracie xxx