Day +49
Good morning from freezing cold and rainy Manchester. The weather was awful this morning and not much better this afternoon. It makes me almost glad that the igloo washer is broken and that we don’t have to traipse down there. On that note, the offending machine has been reported….and the doctor will see it next week!
Our day began quite late really, about 8.30am, after a comfortable night. (‘Ups and downs’ as usual but no tummy ache to speak of.)
I showered first, and Mummy waited until Dr Wynn had been. Ella of course was silent, looking up at him and his ‘assistants’ and refusing to join`in with any banter. He said he would be back later in the day to speak to us about results.
The little monkey……the moment they left the room, up jumped Ella, full of beans and looking forward to ‘doing’ something. I said “I wish Dr Wynn would walk back in now and catch you actually talking Ella.”
At this point Sally decided to dye her hair again. Remember last time, with the NHS towel? Well this time at least there were no Drs. around. Of course the teacher, not Janet, and the physio arrived in the middle of it all, but we decided that a later session for both would give Ella time to get up and enjoy her wash etc in peace. All went well and we both enjoyed the bed bath, and the getting on of gorgeous new baby doll pj's from Sally Ann. We just had to take a photo or two.
Ella nibbled her way through the morning, a little of this and that. All things she’s allowed of course, and the tiniest amounts. The teacher came back about 11.30 to do some spellings, adding ‘ing’ and the spelling rules you have to follow! Ella was a good pupil today, and kept that concentration going for half an hour!
It wasn’t long before Mummy was ordered to the kitchen, to make the promised soup….today carrot and potato. Desired result, Ella sipping about 5 spoonfuls in absolute ecstasy.
Early afternoon saw Reg appearing. He’s been on the Sylvanian trail again and has found a member of the duck family. It’s really sweet and Ella loved it. Thanks Reg. The four of enjoyed a quiet afternoon, Ella making Easter cards and Mummy making plaster of paris models. Just like the old days eh? When the physio arrived she went over Ella’s exercises again and then walked her around the room. (Unfortunately Ella couldn’t walk out onto the unit because one or two of the children have infections.) We were hoping that she would have some off her lines today, but the nurses were on ‘catch up’ after yesterday, and all her lines were busy all day. Anyway, we have been promised some time off tomorrow. Ella wants to take us up the main corridor to find a change machine she spotted the other day. She doesn’t miss much does she?
At last the time came for Dr Wynn’s report and it was a positive one. There is still a long way to go but indications are that the GVHD in Ella’s gut has improved, and her condition is ‘stable to improving’. It is such wonderful news to us, and I’m sure to you too. The pain control has changed again today as well. From tonight the morphine will be given twice daily, on slow release, and can be topped up if needed. A consultant anaesthetist was brought in by the pain team and this was the plan devised between them and Dr Wynn.
At the moment Ella is fast asleep and Sally and I are battening down the hatches for the night. So we will say goodnight and thank you all for your love and prayerful support. It means such a lot to us .
Ella, Sally and Annette. xxx

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