Transplant Day +64 - The Comforts of Home

Hi there Bloggers,

Good Evening and a warm welcome to you all, thanks for joining us for another update on Phoebe’s progress.

How is everyone out there, we hope all is well and a special welcome to all our new bloggers who have joined us recently, it’s nice to have you with us!!

I have to say it has felt very odd taking a break from the blog and honestly I’ve quite missed writing the postings each day, hence to say we have caught up on some good sleep, managing to grab early nights as much as possible. It has given me some time to catch up on a few things and even found myself relaxing a while and being completely glued to Facebook…actually I could easily spend all evening on there finding out what everyone is up to as well as doing a little shopping online.

Although Phoebe is routinely in bed around 7.30pm, she continues to have feeds and meds pretty much up to when we go to bed, even though she has had a few restless nights throughout the week, surprisingly she has been on good form.. Phoebe’s speech and understanding is developing so well and her new words for this week are ‘okey dokey’, or ‘okay then’ its so funny, she practically says this after everything!! Also this week Phoebe for some bizarre reason has begun to sing all her nursery rhymes very very fast, it’s hilarious!! As well as changing some of her words in her songs too, you can really see her comedic side coming out!!

Phoebe has happily busied herself around the house this week and it’s been great to have Gwen and Nan pop by each day, they have been a great help to us and Phoebe loves them popping by. We have managed to get out and have a few walks in the fresh air too. Having the guys here also gives Ade or myself a chance to nip out if we need the odd thing! It’s necessary that one of us is here constantly due to Phoebe’s sickness and nappies etc as well as the regular feeding via the machine along with her meds too.

We had a wonderful visit yesterday with Jane from Treetops, Donna Louise Hospice, it was great to see her having been a while since we caught up, Jane was thrilled with Phoebe’s progress and was so pleased to see her looking so well following her transplant. Jane asked about the medicines and feeds, with her experience of dealing with children undergoing treatments like transplants etc, she reassured us that we were doing really well and that Phoebe’s appetite would eventually return to normal. We always enjoy catching up with the girls from Treetops; they are an incredible bunch of people doing amazing work with the children and families. We feel an immense bond with Jane, Vicki and Pam Lockett, the incredible care and respect they showed to Eleanor and us as a family during our last few days with Eleanor will remain with us forever. It is wonderful for them to join us in watching Phoebe grow so quickly and making such an amazing recovery from the transplant. The Donna Louise Hospice received some great press coverage this week following a visit from Nick Hancock and Jo Brand who are lending a hand in supporting an SOS appeal, this helps to keep the hospice running and enabling children and families to benefit from the amazing work and care from all the team there. We still receive care from the hospice some four years after Eleanor passed so its very dear to us…so a little favour to ask…buy a badge in memory of Eleanor and help other families too!! Bless you!!

There is something very special about spending this time with Phoebe and we can see how much she is developing, at such a fast rate too. Phoebe is much steadier on her feet now and her confidence has grown immensely since she was in the hospital. When we look back now its incredible when we remember how we managed to keep her occupied in bed for nearly a month as she is generally so active!!! Phoebe and I love to spend time with each other mooching around the house and Phoebe copies everything I’m doing, we can hear this especially first thing in the morning when she’s having a good chatter to herself!!

Mum and Dad have been away this week and enjoyed their well deserved break, it seems like they have had a great time especially as Mum won on the bingo quite a few times….surprised they didn’t bar her!!! They were so excited to see Phoebe, as soon as they got home Mum called to say they were on their way over!

A special thanks to Denise for your lovely letter and sending the bag of toys for Phoebe, she particularly likes the cash register… so we’ll definitely pop out to get tome of the plastic foods and items for her shop.

A special mention tonight for a couple of old school pals Phil and Nick Cameron, the guys happen to keep up to date with the blog regularly thanks to Ann for passing the blog address on. Also, thanks for your positive comments Phil and yes Phoebe’s bravery leaves us feeling completely humbled by her, we are so proud, bless you!

Today, I popped over to see Adrian’s cousin Richard and Karen who have just had their new son Stan Christopher, he is gorgeous and I managed to get a cuddle in!!! Must admit he left me feeling a little broody too, it seemed like a long time since Phoebe and Eleanor were so small. We had a good girly catch up and it was nice to get out, have a break and spend a little time with their other son Alfie…the cutie!! Good to see you today Karen, pity I missed you Rich but I will pop over again in the next few weeks….Hope you enjoyed your birthdays this week too!! All our love and congratulations to you all. Xxxx

Special birthday wishes go to James Gibson who is celebrating his big day tomorrow…hope all is well in the Gibson household…Much Love xx

As promised we have taken some photo’s for you all but as I come to install them I remember that Phoebe picked up the memory card reader earlier today and I can’t find it now!!!…its now 12.40am and I need to head to bed so check in tomorrow guys for the photo’s…

Thanks so much for your continued love, support, comments and well wishes…we are truly humbled xxxx

So folks as its getting late, I’ll be off…take care until our next update on Tuesday. For now….

Have a wonderful Valentines Day tomorrow!!

‘They say Cupid is an angel and a matchmaker. They say one rarely notices when the arrow pierces the heart’

Much love
Lynn, Ade, Phoebe and Spirit Eleanor xxxx