Day-1, 9th day of conditioning

When I peeped through the window this morning Ella was still in bed...awake.....but resting, and Sally was too. This told me a lot about their night. Anyway, we all transferred to Mummy's bed for cups of tea and biscuits, Ella managed two cream Hobnobs and Mummy and I the rest. (umm)

We swapped stories about our nights and I told them about my shower and how I found out too late that I didn't have a towel. About padding ,dripping down the corridor at 6.00am to the shared cupboard to look for a hospital towel, and praying that Harrison Ford wasn't padding in the opposite direction. And about the two postage stamps I found, which didn't actual dry anything but exfoliated beautifully.

Ella's immunology nurse,Barbara, came along to see her about 9.30, just as Sally's phone rang. It was Rachael....and obviously from Sally's voice something was wrong.She had run out of petrol on the East Lancs but had managed to pull off into an industrial estate. "Mum come and get me!"Fortunately Barbara is local and drew me a map! any men reading now look away..........it went over the page.......but I knew what she meant. I did find her eventually in Homebase carpark, where we got her going again. We were soon on the ward, with Auntie Rachael lugging in two great big bags of new craft activities, including a potter's set, complete with wheel. Naturally it's been put to the back of the pile, until Daddy's free!

As the morning progressed it became apparent that there would be big changes all round today, both in Ella's treatment and in her condition.

The line which we hoped would be down today doubled and later unbelievably doubled again. Ella has been very drowsy and hasn't felt like doing much at all. She did brighten up a little when she got her new baby Annabel and positively smiled when Daddy showed her how Sam's new remote control car can go along the ceiling without falling off. When it did fall off there was a hint of a laugh!

Ella drifted in and out of sleep all day really, so we have tried to generate a more calm atmosphere, even little Sam joined in by giving big sister a lovely foot massage ( he's learned a lot Andrea ) while Rachael did some finger knitting.

As I say the lines have quadrupled, so that by tonight there are four drips going all at the same time. Two with feeds to give enough calories etc whilst Ella isn't eating and and two supplying drugs. Sally has been wondering how three of us, and the stand, will squash into the toilet.

As you can see from the photos Ella is well and truly hooked up as she snoozes tonight.

This picture is from Ella's portfolio of makeup...beware., and Ella's tree which she can see from her window even when she is lay down.

It's very late now so we are going to close,Sally has struggled hard to get the photos on, hope you enjoy.

It's great to hear all your news too.Night night form Sally, Ella and Annette