Where do I begin?
On Monday 26th April I went to Christies for my chemo. Chris came with me, and we had a talk with the doctors there - who seemed unaware that I had been refused funding.
I got quite emotional talking about it all, and the doctor I saw brought the Professor in to speak to me.
They were both dissapointed that I had been refused funding, and 'unofficially' told me that going to the media can be of assistance.
Chris and I discussed it, and decided to do something about it the next day.
Chris contacted our local newspaper, who seemed interested in my story, and organised to come round on the Thursday for an interview and pictures.
The reporter, Aasma Day was great - put me at ease (I was nervous), and took all the details down. The photographer took a few pics of both Chris and I together, and me on my own.
With it being Bank Holiday weekend, we weren't sure when to expect the story to be in the paper. Aasma said she was hoping the story would go big!
We had a nice weekend, and almost managed to forgot about me being ill for a short while! We went up to the lakes and stayed in a tent (whilst Teagan (my dog)) stayed in the caravan!
All was good, and everything since then has moved so fast!
On Tuesday 4th May, in the morning my Mum phoned to say she went to fill up the car with petrol, and spotted my face staring up at her from the front of the Lancashire Evening Post!
She bought a few copies so we could all have one!
Tuesday evening I had a call from BBC NorthWest Tonight - who wanted to come and film me on Wednesday!
Shortly after that, I received a phonecall from the Express, who wanted to do a piece which would be published on Wednesday morning.
On Tuesday evening, my story also appeared in the Telegraph!
On Wednesday morning, whilst waiting for the BBC crew, the Granada Reports crew phoned and asked if they could do an interview!
So Chris and I were interviewed and filmed by the BBC crew.
Whilst we were waiting for the Granada crew to turn up, the Lancashire Evening Post phoned, and asked if a photographer could come and take my picture, as people were offering to donate money!
The photographer turned up, and took hundreds of pictures of me on my own, and also Chris and I!
Then the Granada crew turned up, and did their interview!
Absolutely shattered, we had a rest before preparing ourselves to watch the news at 6:00pm and 6:30pm!
Watching the news was so surreal. It's actually very hard to see yourself on TV, especially in a situation like this.
Texts came in from friends and family, saying they had seen Teagan on Granada TV! Oh, and of course they had seen Chris and me too!
All that filming for a few mins on tv - exhausting!
Today is Thursday 6th May, and once again, I made front page news in the Lancashire Evening Post!
I really am overwhelmed at the generosity of complete strangers!
I really didn't expect so many people to want to help me when they don't even know me!
People have phoned my shop, given donations, e-mailed me!
My sister has been working so hard! She set up a facebook group, called 'Helping Heather'! I can't believe how many people have joined! Friends, friends of friends, people who have seen me in the paper and on tv...!!
Along with this, she has set up a bank account, so we can now accept cash and cheques that people are offering, and next week online donations should be able to be made.
Chris has also been working hard! Not only supporting me, but he has spoken to his friend, who has organised the domain 'www.helpingheather.co.uk', which should be up and running in the next few days!
I don't think i've forgotton anything......although I have so much going through my head at the moment that it is possible i've missed something important!
No comments:
Post a Comment