Spring 1998 - Page 3
IN CIRCULATIHeartN
Newsletter for and by Clinical Haematology Patients & Carers, Manchester Royal Infirmary

Lisa, my special daughter

I am sure that all mothers know that the best thing they can do in life is talk on the subject of their children. Lisa was born on 11 April 1966, our second daughter. Karen was 3 years old at the time, and then Suzanne followed 4 years later in January 1970. The girls had what could be considered as a normal childhood, with holidays in the usual holiday camps and caravan parks that children love.
It was in these camps and parks at the children's entertainment and competitions where it all really started. All three daughters would enter singing and dancing competitions; Lisa was very keen and won talent competitions even as young as 4 years old.

The turning point came when at 11 years old Lisa won a talent competition at Butlins Holiday Camp in Minehead. It was now apparent that Lisa did have a special talent. At the age of 14, Lisa won the Search for a Star competition at the Talk of the North Club. This win gave Lisa a big break - her first television show. The Head of Light Entertainment at Granada TV took quite a shine to Lisa. Having had her TV show watched by thousands of people, Lisa was now in demand on the club circuit, which unfortunately no longer exists today. As Lisa's parents, at the age of 14 we always had to be with her and very selective regarding the venues where she would appear, and to insist that she was off the stage by 9.30p.m.!

When Lisa was 15 she did her first pantomime at Winsford in Cheshire. It was here that she acquired her very first fan, Anthony, who still writes to us to this day and attends all Lisa's concerts.

Lisa's next move in the world of show business was to present Razz Matazz, from Tyne Tees TV. But Lisa decided there would be no more panto or presenting. She was to be a singer/song writer or nothing.

At this time Lisa got together with Ian Devaney, an old school friend, now her fiancé. They formed a band called Blue Zone, which was signed to a minor record label and produced a number of singles. This was a time of quite some turmoil for the band, with recording company and management changes. It was some time before they could gain the confidence of recording company chiefs in order to be allowed to perform and produce their own compositions. Once they had convinced Arista, their recording company, that they could have a free hand, they never looked back.

Marion Stansfield


A Paradise in Chocolate

An absolute favourite of our Founding Editor, Nikki Bevan. Our thanks to her friend, Ali Kendrick, for the recipe.

Cake:
190g (6½ oz) plain flour
2 level tablespoons cocoa
1 level tablespoon bicarbonate of soda
1 level tablespoon baking powder
150g (5 oz) of caster sugar
2 level tablespoons golden syrup
2 eggs, beaten
150 ml (¼ pint) salad or corn oil
150 ml (¼ pint) milk

Icing:

50g (2oz) butter or margarine
4 level tablespoons cocoa, sieved
3 level tablespoons milk
150g (5oz) icing sugar, sieved
Small bar of chocolate, grated (for decoration)
Method: Heat the oven to 325 degrees F, 160 degrees C, gas mark 3. Grease and line with greaseproof paper the bottom of two 20cm (8 inch) straight sided sandwich tins.

Sift all the dry ingredients into a large bowl, make a well in the middle and add the rest of the ingredients. Beat well with a wooden spoon, making sure to beat in lots of air to make the cake light and fluffy. Pour the mixture into the two tins and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. (If using a fan-assisted oven the time may be reduced; the cake will be ready when it springs back when lightly touched with the fingertips). Turn out into a wire rack and leave to cool.

For the icing, melt the butter in a small pan and add the cocoa, stirring constantly. Stir in the milk, until the mixture forms a paste. If the icing is going to be piped onto the cake a thicker consistency is needed (in this case add more milk and then enough icing sugar to achieve the desired consistency). Sandwich the cakes together with the icing and with a palette knife spread the icing round the side of the cake. Pour the grated chocolate onto a plate, then roll the side of the cake in the gratings. Place the cake on a board and pipe the remainder of the icing on the top of the cake, using a knife to create a pattern.

Do you have a favourite recipe - or just a good idea about food? Let us know about it. Write to: In Circulation, 54 Lacey Green, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 4BG

Friends

True and trusting friends
Are the ones who when
The path was rough and stony
Helped me start again.

Who never tried to interfere
Yet made their presence felt
Who, when their friend was feeling low
On future dreams they dwelt.

They never asked the questions
Of why or how or where;
But I knew that I could count on them;
I'd call and they'd be there.

True friends are like a blessing
Sent when times are bad,
To help their friends take on new life
And cheer when times are sad.

How much this friendship means to me
When I have been so low,
So when in turn you need my help
I pray you'll let me know.

Contributed by
Elizabeth Rouse

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Jenny's big step

Going back to school after treatment is wonderful - but more than challenging, writes Jenny Lee.

I thought that the past 12 months might have prepared me for this - but A-levels are something that no student can ever be prepared for. Having been under treatment for AML since January '97 and having had a successful stem cell transplant in September, I suddenly came across the question I had not dared asked myself for the past year - what to do in the future? A bit of a puzzler really, having had every teenager's dream of spending a year doing other things than study, I decided I had already admired the ceiling enough to last me a lifetime.

Then the answer came to me - not in a dream but in the shape of a leaflet from Stockport Grammar School. Having recovered from my first anxious thoughts of wearing a uniform the yellow of lollipop lady's uniform (always consider the uniform before academic prowess!), I decided that starting my A-levels seemed like a good idea. My mum arranged for us to go and see the headmaster, who was really helpful and offered me a place this January doing the A-levels I wanted.

Crunch time came, and I decided to go for it. There were vital decisions to be made - short or long skirt (I did not ponder long and settled on long!), bandana, cap or "making a statement" hairstyle - I opted for the latter, having asked advice from every conceivable source. Tell anyone or keep it quiet? Two or three inch heels on my shoes?

The day I had dreaded with nervous excitement finally arrived. I discovered my hairstyle was not so abnormal, that they do speak English in Stockport and that people listened when I spoke - what a relief. Then it was time for the next trauma - school lunches - although not as "tasty" as some of the hospital cuisine, it did share that same sort of flavour which just cannot be achieved by home cooking!

I am now 2 months into my A-levels - with my maths modular in a couple of days. Apart from that particular "blip" I am enjoying myself, feel really at home with all my friends at Stockport Grammar, and believe that it was the right decision for me. The only thing left to say is a huge "Thank You" to everybody who has made it possible for me to have these experiences.
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