Day+8


As I jogged up to the unit I wandered what the new day would bring? I had time for a few more laps of the carpark, but something wasn't right.......something was buzzing again and again. My alarm of course, waking me up to reality, a freezing cold igloo, no towel except the NHS exfoliator and pitch black darkness. Looking out of the window I could see the glowing warmth of the Unit and of my girls. Both good reasons to jump out of bed with vigour!


We started off with a group hug on Ella's bed and slowly graduated to the bed settee, which had been freshly changed...so Rachael couldn't get back in it now!Ha. As Ella and I warmed up Rachael re appeared with our breakfast, a great treat to have it brought on a tray. Ella had just decided on weetabix and then the usual happened, in came our nurses to take blood. The line was tried, we held our breath. It was wriggled and jiggled, we held our breath. Then joy of joys, the answer to many prayers, it began to bleed back and give a lovely sample. Ella had two teaspoons of her breakfast and was a happy bunny.A quick bedbath followed, no tears, followed by what Ella had most been looking forward to. Putting dry shampoo on Nanna's hair. I survived, albeit in a cloud of white powder. Back to the drawing board tomorrow.


The Dr. ( very senior) arrived and as he examined Ella he commented on her progress so far and said that she is doing really well. He would like her to try to eat more, because her mouth isn't sore just now and the fact is that the more she can tolerate orally, the more quickly they can wean her off the line feeds. He suggested specially prepared milk shakes etc and said that he would organise for the dietitian to call and see us today. She did come and the result is we have got some milky cartons for Ella to enjoy when she is in the mood.


Janet arrived , bringing a book which she had promised to read to Ella ..The Rude Rhinoceros ... then even more fractions. Never mind, it's Half Term next week, and Ella has a week off, not to mention Janet.


We had a lovely surprise visit from June and her little girl Heather this morning. We chatted either side of the screen for quite a while and then Rachael took them along to the restaurant. Then Daddy arrived...had he brought the most important things of all? YES.CAKE MIXES!!!!!!!!!!


We had had the idea that today we could make cakes, as long as Ella didn't come into contact with the raw egg. Well, there are ways around that . So, with Ella covered in white pinny and wearing surgical gloves she mixed and stirred and filled cases with Daddy, who in turn carried them to the kitchen to bake. Running the gauntlet of the nurses talking about 'being in touch with his feminine side' can't have been easy. Mind you Damian, your muffins are lovely so it was worth it. Not that Rachael and I would know....us being on our strict diet and all!


After Damian left about 6.00pm it was time to set Ella's line up to receive the blood transfusion expected today. That is up now and will be followed by platelets, to give her a boost. She'll be on 'rocket fuel' tomorrow won't she?


All is peaceful now, Ella is fast asleep, Rachael and I are having a welcome cup of tea before bed and the machines are not beeping. Has there been a power cut? Oh no, they're still glowing red , there in the corner.


Have I told you that the unit washing machine has conked out? Well it has. We always have stacks of washing to do, because we have brought little girl bedding and snugglies which have to be changed and washed each day. Fortunately the igloo has a working washer and the washing was ferried across in carrier bags, hence my new name 'bag lady'.

Oh well, that's about all for today I think. As usual we send you all lots of love and big thankyou's for our blogs. Annette,Rachael and Ella xxx