Day +164 (Mon 20th)
Hi and welcome to Manchester.
What can I tell you about today? Ella and I had a night of ups and downs…literally….last night. The result of that has been that Ella has been tired and grumpy.
Dr Wynn popped in early to say that all is well. Certain viruses are down, bloods are ok and as usual the main concern is pain control. We think the pain relief is there….we just need to reassure Ella that it is ok.
She didn’t want to get up and dressed today, but we had our appointment with the physio at 10.30 so we had to make an effort…as you do. Sara and I got her washed and dressed just in time, then it was off to the corridor for a game of skittles. Ella was less than bouncing with joy, but we got there in the end….with a few ‘sit downs’ and plenty of persuasion. She wanted to stay out by the nurses’ station for a while and do some ‘people watching’. Monday mornings are very busy here, as you can imagine, and the distraction worked for a while, but then she became tired and tummy ache took over, so we retired to our room for a snooze. Our precious little girl saw other children, past and present transplant patients, coming and going off the ward….either to clinic, or to go home. She was very brave.
We watched Ben Stiller in the Museum film this afternoon. I thought Ella was asleep but I caught her having a quick peep at it. She is very good at lying absolutely still and pretending to sleep, when actually she is listening to every word and sound….especially if you go to make a move to leave the room! This is one of the reasons why we are pushing to have all her ‘medical talk’ said outside of her hearing. She knows, and sadly understands, far too much. She has staggered one or two of the ‘on call’ Drs at times, by asking for something which little children shouldn’t even know about, let alone worry about.
Daddy brought Sam later this afternoon, for his check up in clinic. He brought Aunty Rachael too! Sam is doing very well and Ella couldn’t wait to give Rachael the picture and chocs. she had made for her. Rachael came armed with 2 pillows from home, to help her be more comfortable, after the operation, while she sleeps. Ummmmm….I think Ella will have different plans about the sleeping bit!
I can’t believe I’m telling you another FB tale, but here we go! I went down to the restaurant at tea time, and had just ordered, when the inevitable alarm started and we were all evacuated. I did a quick call up to Rach and Damian to expect me later…..it was finally an hour later!!!!!! Talk about starving…….
After Daddy and Sam had left we watched Mamma Mia for a while, but I’m afraid the snoozing fairy ‘got’ Ella and I and I have retired gracefully to the dormitory. (There is another lady staying in here too, but I haven’t managed to meet her yet.) I really hope I’m on my own then I can relax a little more and enjoy the chocolate I bought earlier.( it was a reward for standing outside for half an hour earlier. That's fair isn't it?)
Night night and we send you all our thanks for your prayers and support.
Ella, Rachael and Annette.xxx
PS I’m actually sending this on Tues. morning ( but it’s yesterdays’ report….if you know what I mean! I ran out of steam last night.)