6th Day of Conditioning Treatment

Hi there and welcome to Day 6…!!!

Hope all is well with you guys, Aaah…isn’t this good…what fabulous energy this blog is creating. I’m really enjoying writing the posts each day and chuffed so many of you look forward to the updates…thank you for the inspiration and encouragement to keep going.

Ade seemed a little concerned last night when I was writing the blog as he hoped it wasn’t too much pressure on me each day. He said he hoped it wouldn’t tie me down too much and this gave me a giggle really as it's not as though I’m actually planning to go anywhere!!! Bless him, he is thoughtful….now this leads me nicely onto the Angel Blessing which is where I’d like to start tonight.

‘Angels can fly because they take themselves so
lightly.’
G.K. Chesterton

One of the most important things we feel whilst being in hospital with Phoebe is to keep things as normal as possible and this includes embracing the lighter times. You can so easily get bogged down with the monotony of hospital life. Phoebe is reminding us each day to keep giggling and smiling and to keep things as light as we can; it all helps to get her and us through each day!!

Phoebe’s blood counts are changing daily and the regime of chemotherapy and drugs has made Phoebs look a little pale. Since finishing her blood transfusion she had a good nights sleep and looks so much better today. She's done really well considering all of the fluids that have been through her system constantly for the last 24 hours and, therefore, more frequent nappy changes.

Phoebs usually does really well with her oral medicines but on one occasion she was a little sick today; maybe she wasn’t quite prepared as we give them fairly quickly to get them over and done with. Talk about team work…thank goodness the troops came over a little earlier! It was all hands on deck and poor Phoebs, bless her, she wasn’t quite sure what to do with herself. We calmed her down, reassured her and after two minutes she was sitting in her cot entertaining us all with her Upsy Daisy impressions and told us all about her picture of Pooh Bear on the wall. Kids are so resilient, don’t you think??

Phoebe seems to be coping quite well even though she is in isolation due to a virus on the ward. It's actually not that bad spending the days in this room (we'll take a few photos of it tomorrow for you) and it's just a case of keeping her occupied and entertained I guess. When the troops arrive it makes things so much easier. Phoebe was so pleased to see them this afternoon and guess what….Mum and Dad B. brought with them….a big jug of Lobby to have for our teas, and Gwen (Mum O.) keeps us topped up with lunch sandwiches a plenty! In all of our life’s trials there are always blessings!! Each day Gwen, Mum and Dad travel over here with bags of goodies in tow to keep us going…'Cheers!', we really do appreciate all of your help, just hope Ade and I are even a quarter as good as them.

Talking of goodies today, we had a lovely visit from our friends Berge and Estelle. They came over to see us and Estelle brought with her some home made Banana Muffins (which might I add are fabulous and are well worth a taste) and lots of other goodies besides. Before we came up to Manchester, we were given lots of lovely gifts from our friends to make it easier for us; you know, all the home comforts. Estelle even made us up an Home Comforts kit with Tea, Coffee, gorgeous Chocs and some tasty hot chocolate drinks - more blessings!!! Shall we start a campaign and see how many blessings we have each day?!! Thanks for your unending thoughtfulness and generosity Est., and this also goes out to all of you for all the lovely gifts, love and support. Phoebe also had a little package today from her friend Macie; her mum Helen had helped her to put some pictures together for Phoebe to look at and even laminated them for her so that we could clean them with sterile wipes. Our friends are very thoughtful; thanks Macie and Helen and we hope all is well xxx

As you all can see our friends and family mean a great deal to us and without you all this would be a far more difficult journey.

A couple of special mentions tonight are for our cousins Lissa and Family over in the States. I've only just seen your comments tonight and it's lovely that you are in touch. Oh and yes I have no doubt your mum will be watching over us, bless her xxx

A big Hello to Susan, Shawn and the Gang also in the States. We hope you are all well, love you and miss you and we look forward to future visits to you guys over there xxx

I would like to finish tonight with one of my special moments; it's been a long posting tonight and you’ve done well sticking with me. Actually I thought it was going to be a quickie but you know me, I enjoy a good chops!!

Can you remember the special moment I had with Phoebe the other day when she had a bath? Well I’ve just had another one of those. Alison, one of our nurses who is looking after Phoebe tonight, came in to bring the last of her oral meds. this evening at 10.15pm. We had also woken Phoebs earlier on give her meds. at 8.00pm when she did really well and went straight back to sleep, bless her. Alison stopped with me whilst I gave them to her as Ade had gone back to his pad for an early night, he’s shattered. We gently woke her and I asked her to help Mummy by holding her dummy whilst I gave her the meds from a syringe. Then I asked her to pop her dummy in after each one to help her to swallow it….oh my goodness, she just did it with a total understanding of what she had to do. Alison was really pleased with her and you can you imagine how I felt!! Honestly, her acceptance never ceases to amaze me. Ok, I am falling into that ‘Proud Mother Syndrome’, but I know you won’t hold it against me!!! All of the children that surround us are amazing as they remind us to do so many things that we have forgotten, or don’t make time for as we get swallowed up by the pressures of daily life…..we should take a leaf out of their book!!!

It’s been nice spending time with you and I wish you all a restful sleep, may your angels and loved ones in heaven watch over you and keep you all safe.

Until tomorrow my friends xxxx