Hi! I’m Laura, Lucy’s sister. I just wanted to share my experience of Lucy’s diagnosis with you all.
I still remember the pain I felt when my mum finally told me what was wrong with Lucy. I remember it like it was yesterday. My mum had text me to say that she was coming to visit me in Dundee for the night, which I was really excited about, but I had to go to the cinema with my college class to see one of the worst films I have ever seen! It was so bad a bunch of us walked out half way through! Anyway, I finally got home after waiting for a bus that never came and having to call a taxi. I was really angry and annoyed for having to pay to see a film that was awful then getting stranded that I didn’t pick up on the atmosphere in the flat at all. My best friend/flatmate Alison was sat in the sitting room with my mum when I came in and started ranting about my night before I went to quickly Skype my then girlfriend. I must have been on Skype for about 5 minutes when my mum came in and said that she need to talk to me, so I ended the call and looked to my mum, I could tell by her eyes she’s been crying…a lot! I knew right away it was something about Lucy. In my head the worst case scenario was that Lucy could have cancer or a brain tumour. My mum and I sat on my bed and she looked at me and I said “She has cancer doesn’t see?”, and my mum replied, “Cancer would give her a fighting chance”. I was so confused and didn’t understand what she was talking about, and then she said that Lucy had something called MND. I didn’t have a clue what it was until she explained it and I honestly can’t put into words the pain and emptiness that filled my body in those seconds! I remember letting out a massive scream and collapsing in tears on my bedroom floor. That day is by far the worst day of my life, I would never wish it upon anyone ever! The heavy ache that is constantly on your heart. The next day we traveled to Glasgow to see Lucy’s doctor. For someone that’s pretty much known as being a joker in the family, I honestly didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know whether to make jokes or not, but I decided that I was going to try and keep Lucy happy, so before we went to meet Lucy’s doctor we went to this little cafe in the hospital and me and Lucy were messing around and joking. Then it came to the time where we had to go and meet the doctor. I remember having to walk through this ward and looking through the windows and seeing all these ill people and the smell of hospital. We were taken to this little side room and we all sat there in pretty much silence the whole time. When the doctor arrived he began to explain everything. I’ve never seen my dad cry before and it was heartbreaking and also watching Ross, my brother, cry. It’s not nice, not nice at all. I remember trying really hard not to cry and try and stay strong for Lucy because I felt if I cried then it might make her cry, but I had the biggest lump in my throat and have never tried to fight tear so hard! After the meeting with the doctor we drove back home. Those 24 hours were awful and I will never forget them!
Lucy is the bravest and most incredible person I know and ever will know! She is my best friend and the best sister. She is caring and considerate. She has always been the type of person to put other people’s needs before her own. She is so inspirational and strong and she keeps me going every single day! She has the most incredible and infectious smile and laugh. I love her more than words can ever express! Even though this hideous disease has infected Lucy’s body, it hasn’t infected her spirit. Even though it’s such a negative and ugly thing to happen, a lot of positive things have also come from it, Lucy has been able to complete multiple things from her ‘Bucket List’ – and I’d like to thank every single person that has helped with that! It was also brought our family so much closer together.
If you’ve read this far thank you so much! Just you reading this post is support for Lucy and our family!
Laura ✌️
