Day +18

Who do you send for when you are feeling low? Little brother.

We thought you'd like these photos of Sam, trying to make Ella ,and all of us, smile. The game was to balance something on his head and walk across the room. We tried with just the spring to begin with, but extended it to include the sicky bowl ( empty ) for extra points. Did she smile? well yes she did. Only briefly but it was there.

Definitely a day of highs, lows and funny bits. We will miss out the middle section and move on to the others.

Auntie Rachael and Auntie Margaret both arrived about 10.00, with Damian and Sam hot on their heels and, as usual, it didn't take long for Sam to be whooping us all on the Wii. Is Wii-ing a curricular subject now?

Sally and I had a walk down to the igloo, to put the washing in and to spend a few quiet moments over there, after a particulary difficult night. We went armed with bread for toast and real butter, as a treat. Sally headed for the kitchen, whilst I hunted for more 20p's. As I went to find her again I could hear " oh no, I've burnt the toast". "Never mind" said I.........as I opened the lounge door to put the fire on. "We can.......................................". I didn't get any further than that

as all hell broke loose and the loudest fire alarm in Manchester began to sound.

Sally by now was trying to open the kitchen window, which we managed, and it was then that we spotted a notice on the wall saying,

" Please use cooking appliances with caution, the fire alarm is connected directly to the fire brigade."

As Sally and I both turned a funny colour she came up with a master plan " Quick, let's eat the evidence!" Ever tried to eat a slice of unbuttered charcoal toast? We have.

The alarm was still going beserk and I peeped out into the hallway, to be met by 3 firemen and several hospital officials, who were checking the building for bodies. By now a large crowd had gathered round the fire engine, whilst we were of course told off for not evacuating. One of the hospital staff jokingly said "We'll send the bill to you" at which point Sally burst into floods of tears, and we were instantly forgiven. What a 'to-do'.

We stayed well hidden until everyone outside had dispersed and then made our way back to the unit, to tell Margaret and Rachael. Need I say more than Sister Andrea already knew about the fire brigades' arrival, but hadn't linked it to us. They are keeping an eye on us now as well as Ella.

There has been a change in treatment for Ella today, with the TPN feed starting up again. Ella has not been too good for the last few days, hence the review. The naso -gastric feeds are not the right thing at the moment, so all the lines are going back up instead. Everyone has agreed that this is the correct move to keep Ella on top, and once she is more settled Mr Wynn will look again at her further treatment. All it will mean is that we'll be here for longer, a small price to pay.

We've had a visit from Janet, who is back after Half Term, who tried valiantly to interest Ella in a story, but to no avail! There are secrets afoot for Ella tomorrow........so watch this space.

At the moment the lines are being done and Damian is reading Ella " George's Magic Medicine".

We are going to finish very early tonight and take a welcome break once Ella is asleep again.

Lots of love to everyone,

Ella, Sally, Damian and Annette.xxxx