Day +57 and 58
Where shall we start? I think with the early arrival of Auntie Rachael, Ian and Sam on Friday morning. They were armed with lots of Easter goodies from school for Ella (thanks OLOL ) and at least 10 loads of fresh washing. It smells gorgeous to us, you know, home done laundry!
Ella soon perked up, after a difficult night, and was washed and ready to start making chocolate lollies and decorating biscuits etc. whilst Sam was in the restaurant having his second breakfast. Rachael arrived back from the kitchen with melting chocolate ( dairy and non dairy) in ‘bain maries’, forgive the spelling here, and off they went. Ella managed a few minutes, then she was overcome by zzzzzzzzzz’s again and snoozed!
It was quite a short visit today. Sam wasn’t very keen on having his bloods done, so he was ‘excused boots’ until Monday, and Rachael needed to get back to pick the boys up from school, so they all left at lunch time. There was just time for me to try on my ‘Tina’ outfit, for Sally. She approved thank goodness.
During the afternoon Ella snoozed on and Sally and I painted in the sunshine. There wasn’t any time to come off the lines, they were on overload again. All we had to do was wait for Reg to pick me up. He arrived with another washed load, which included Tiger, so now we were really back in business. (We have had permission to take the washing to another ward, but we don’t think it is really appropriate to carry it through a full ward.)
When I phoned Sally later in the evening I heard that Ella was sleeping peacefully, Damian had arrived and he was staying with her during the night. A good nights’ sleep for Sally! She deserves it!
Reg and I? Super meal…Fantastic concert….Ride on the big wheel about 11.30pm,scary….rounded off with drinks in the hotel bar. Great!!!!!!!
It’s Saturday evening now and Ella is in bed asleep. I spoke to Sally a couple of times during the morning and she filled me in on important news about Ella and the latest developments.
When the weekend Consultant came to see Ella he agreed that she should continue to be nil by mouth. Later, the gastrologist, who conducted Ella’s ‘scope last week at Booth Hall, came as promised. He wants Ella to be nil by mouth completely again, including all (if possible) her medication. He wants her digestive system to have a complete rest, so it is just sips of water from now on. As you can imagine, this news didn’t go down very well with Ella. He said that although it is very difficult to explain to her, she is receiving everything she needs through her TPN feed line, and will continue to do so for a good while to come yet. The hunger she feels is down to the steroids, and not real hunger. To be fair, when Ella has asked for something to eat she has only had very tiny amounts, and more often than not, nothing at all. The thought of not having a choice must be very difficult for her though. Soooooooo…..it’s back to all lines busy. Actually, I’m sure it must be a relief to Ella, now that she doesn’t have to struggle to keep her medicines down.
Ella has had a good morning, playing with Daddy while Mummy tidied the room up, and by the time Reg and I got back this afternoon, she was having another snooze. In fact, she slept on as Damian left for home.
Reg left shortly afterwards, with yet another load of washing. He is thinking of taking it in professionally girls. We can recommend him!!!!!!!!! ( not to mention Ian) In fact they could set up a little business couldn’t they? Perhaps go mobile? All they’d need is a van and a dolly tub each. They could share the mangle.
We are finishing now. There is absolutely nothing on the telly. It’s too dark in here to paint, with just the fairies twinkling, so Sally and I are chatting, drinking tea and planning just what we are going to do tomorrow. There is a Spring Fair here tomorrow, in the car park over the road, to raise funds for the new hospital.( prayer mats out please ) I expect we will wander over there at some point, although taking Ella will be a ‘no no’, because she can’t leave the hospital grounds.
Soooooo, night night everyone.
Lots of love and all our thanks for your prayers and good wishes, as usual.
Ella,Sally and Annette.xxx