Longford doctor's thoughts and prayers with Russia and Ukraine as Moscow treatment not possible

As Russian President Vladamir Putin continues his invasion of Ukraine, countless innocent people are being affected every day, including Longford’s Laura Noonan who was due to return to Moscow for treatment shortly.

The Edgeworthstown doctor and her family managed to raise their €75,000 target via Laura’s Russian Lifeline on GoFundMe in September 2017, allowing her to travel to Russia for vital chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.

However, following the initial trip to Moscow, Laura and her husband Archie learned she would need further treatment, with a requirement to return to Moscow every few months.

At the Valentine’s Ball for Cystic Fibrosis in recent weeks, Laura spoke as a special guest, telling those in attendance that she was actually on a return trip from Moscow in March 2020 on the first plane with a suspected case of coronavirus on board.

She described her fear at the time and the effect the pandemic had on travel. Now, as the pandemic draws to a close, Laura’s upcoming trip to Moscow will not be going ahead due to the ongoing tragic events.

“After my amazing Cinderella story (making it to Jillian Mc Nulty’s CF charity ball as the guest of honour)... and having one of the best nights of my life the last thing I expected or needed was to end up back in here (in the Intensive Care Unit),” Laura posted on her Facebook page, Laura’s Russian Lifeline, last week.

“My planned surgery did not go to plan at all and we are pretty much out of options. I was also supposed to travel back to Moscow shortly and that can’t happen…. For very obvious reasons…. (Prayers and thoughts with the Ukrainian and Russian people who through no fault of their own are caught up in this horrendous situation).”

Laura was being brought back to theatre on Thursday of last week and welcomed any prayers, good intentions and healing thoughts that her many followers offered.

“Yesterday’s (Wednesday) surgery was most important yet on my journey but it was a complete disaster,” she said.

“I can’t describe the feeling when I woke after my my general anaesthetic only to be told it was unsuccessful.

“My body just will not seem to co-operate and without this surgery I have no chance of making any further treatment plans.

“Devastated doesn’t describe the feeling. All I can do is try to be positive, hope for some good news and prepare for my next surgery - if they will even try - and hold on to memories of good times passed and hopefully good ones yet to come.

“I really was Cinderella a few weeks ago… maybe I can be again…I have my tickets booked for next year’s ball already… hoping my surgeon has his magic wand out today (as well as his scalpel) and can make my wishes come true!”

For updates and to follow Laura’s journey, see her Facebook page, Laura’s Russian Lifeline.