At the weekend I make giant anatomical hearts from Lego tiles, apparently. Going to ink this up and make prints once I have paper big enough for the job. Never not crafting but I mostly share that on my Instagram account.

(And apparently I’ve forgotten how to create a thread on Twitter too. 🤷🏻‍♀️)

My memory has been strangely affected by my transplant, as though memories of my life before lie dormant until I poke them - disclosure of another sort? I found it so overwhelming suddenly to remember this short film I once made. I plan to tread carefully.

So I’m going to (very slowly and gently and inconsistently) start putting myself back out there in relation to my research. I don’t know what form that will take or how everything will fit together but reinstalling Twitter seemed like an easy first step.

Crying mid-presentation (I’m owning it now but needed that hug then!) made me think I should keep my head down longer/indefinitely but I’ve realised the emotion, the difficulty of expression, the live unfolding of complex chronic illness is at the core of what I want to achieve.

I’m thinking a lot about what disclosure is, what it achieves, what it costs. Revisiting the personal/creative aspects of my research from the days before my heart transplant reminded me I’m in a very different position now, no longer sure how to incorporate myself into my work.

Dipped my tiniest toe back into the world of academia this week by attending the Politics of Disclosure symposium, organised by @mariettarosetta and @riacheyne. I couldn’t think of a better reintroduction - a wonderfully supportive, engaged, and interesting group and project.

Ok we're ready to go! Grahams been in and signed our copies of The Inner Circle for tonights book launch. Expect to be transported back to 90's Glasgow for one night only. Doors 8pm, Free event. All Aboard! https://t.co/tQHBo6cxN4

You can find me on Instagram as laura_dropstitch, where I post far too often and too honestly. #FutureProofing

I went to an online workshop about using medical images and made this, featuring some visible hearts through the ages. My printer wasn’t working so I had to photocopy my phone screen 🤦🏻‍♀️ but I went with it. Thanks @lizzyorton and @CHASEMedHums for an interesting session.

I’ve been very quiet on Twitter but with good reason. I received my #HeartTransplant on Nov 11th and (after significant bumps in road to recovery) am still in hospital. Beginning to make good progress towards home now though. New ❤️ is AWESOME; mobility, appetite, and meds 👎.

Today marks the 30th anniversary of heart transplants in Scotland and one recipient, Euan Bisset, will also be celebrating his 30th birthday 🎂 very soon thanks to the life-saving treatment❤ Full story: https://t.co/PfbiSiUZI9 #TeamJubilee #ServingScotland #hearttransplant

The Hospital Makes It Hard to Speak Up for Myself: https://t.co/TL84eBe7LO via @AnnalsofIM #GraphicMedicine

Officially taking some time off my research while I adjust to life on the heart transplant list, but couldn't resist sharing a wee post celebrating (kind of) the tenth anniversary of my heart failure diagnosis.

Having a *good news* day...which is obviously much needed! And I finally have a respectable pair of pyjamas for my hospital bag, if you can call Snoopy pyjamas respectable :)

Fourth (fifth?) time for confirmed covid case(s) in my daughter's class🤦‍♀️ Children are like little germy hand grenades with wobbly pins. Already dreading these messages once I'm on immunosuppressants 😬 For now, hoping having covid in September does the job a booster jab might.

Day 5 on the #HeartTransplant list: a 2am call with an offer of a heart 😬 Headed in to be prepped for surgery but donor heart was eventually rejected by surgeon. Sent home again at 10. All very stressful but I’ve come out the other side feeling much more ready for the next call.

Day 4 on the transplant list. I visited the cardiological dentist to have wisdom tooth removed, reducing risk of post-transplant infection. Discovered still-high COVID cases mean I have to arrive and wait for transplant alone. Numb, in more ways than one. Mega lolz :/ (I'm OK!)

Probably quite telling I thought this was instructing me to “reply with a potato…” #NotCalm (actually had a pretty calm day after managing to sleep last night but husband was reading #transplant consent forms right before bed and had questions, shattering the illusion of ok)

In a crazy whirlwind panic of trying to fix my life before my place on the transplant list goes live, (probably) tomorrow. Can I plan a birthday party, do all my Christmas shopping, write my thesis, clear my house and fit a new kitchen before school pick-up this afternoon? 😬