Transplant Day +25...In good company..

Good Evening Folks,

Its nice to be back with you all and thanks for your texts and messages asking how Phoebe is doing, you are kind. xxxx

We hope this posting finds you all well, it feels like ages since I updated the blog but I guess exhaustion has taken hold. We have learned over the years to listen to our bodies and well, we just had to stop for a few days!!

On Sunday, it felt amazing to take our first journey out, keeping it simple, we headed over to Mum and Dad's for lunch...aah, how much did we all enjoy it...the wonderful aroma's hit our senses as soon as we entered the driveway!!

Lisa and Gary joined us and thoroughly enjoyed their time with Phoebe, Uncle Gary brought Phoebe some paints for being so brave during her time in hospital, thanks Gary. The folks continue with their unconditional love and support and we are so incredibly grateful and count our blessings each and everyday, for having them close by and for all their help especially during the last few years.

We also took the time to visit Nan and Ed (Ade's nan and granddad), its been a while since we have spent time with Ed due to his bout of shingles and we are happy to report that he is doing much better now...its so relaxing here...as you can see, its my little bit of heaven!! Here is Phoebe enjoying a game of 'hide and seek'.

Monday was our first return to the hospital, Phoebe continues her incredibly recovery and Rob awarded us top marks during our first appointment to the semi-isolation clinic. We had routine bloods taken and the results of these are excellent.

The Ciclosporin (immunosuppressant) levels need to be checked a little more regularly at the moment so the Stoke Community Team of nurses are visiting us every few days, taking bloods and supporting us in all aspects of community care. Special thanks to Catherine and Lee who are doing a great job in taking care of Phoebe.

Pam and Kevin from Treetops (Donna Louise Hospice) called over to see us today and its great to hear all the news from Treetops. Since Eleanor passed in 2005, the team have been brilliant supporting us..so thankyou, it has been very much appreciated..along with meeting and enjoying being part of such a wonderful family there. Thank you to all of you who have helped to fundraise for Treetops, when you are touched by someone or an experience it that makes you realise these places and people are so precious to the families who benefit from their services...and I would never have believed that would include us. www.donnalouisetrust.org

During the past few days Phoebe's appetite remains a little slow as her taste buds may still be affected by all the medicines. Hmm, also discovering she may actually prefer stronger tastes and tonight we have seen her eagerly await some of Ade's homemade pesto, garlic bread and prawn carbonara.

Andie, Bert and Estelle have also popped over tonight and enjoyed some dinner with us. To be able to prepare your own food and share this with friends is such a complete pleasure for us...to be fair, we invited Andie and Bert over and...well Bert ended up cooking with Ade, they both deserve a round of applause for fabulous tasty dinner and......doing all the dishes too...Ok, we'll give you a few brownie points there boys!! Thanks Guys...much appreciated...they can be hired out for a nifty sum!!!

Its nice to be able to give a little something back, all our friends have been an incredible support during the last few years and we can now look forward to spending some time out in the fresh air with friends..even though Phoebe is in a semi-isolation status, everyone understands to keep their distance especially with the children also being sensible to avoid seeing us if they have any kind of illness.

Maybe tomorrow, we can aim to head out and just enjoy this mild weather which has been unexpected given the weather reports. Particularly, since being at home Phoebe has decided to stay in her pyjamas and just chill, I love this side of her, she certainly knows her own mind and shows me the fire in her belly!!!

During our first few days at home, we have decided to just give Phoebe some time to herself and to choose what she wants to do, its been great watching her meandering around her own home seeing her so relaxed, being free of her machines and not being examined, although we do our own checks throughout the day. Ade and I are managing the medicines quite well even though they can still be a little challenging at times, Phoebe is a star and these will start to be reduced over the next few weeks.

Whilst at the hospital yesterday, I wrote to our donor and updated her with all the news of Phoebe's progress. Its always exciting to hear from her, like we've known each other for a while!!...Will keep you all posted on any response.

Lovely to see our friend Leanne who popped over to see us today, it was great to catch up...see you next week for dinner xxx

Thanks to Auntie Maureen and Uncle John for Phoebe's sweet shop and scales you kindly brought her, the shop is all set up now with sweets, fruit, cans and her till is ready for all those new customers visiting!!

We have Fiona joining us tomorrow from Phoebe's school - St. Teresa's in Trent Vale for a home visit and to catch up on Phoebe's progress...will keep you all posted. A special hello to all of Phoebe's class friends, Phoebe is quite excited about coming to school and meeting all her new friends, see you soon xxxx

As we still have company tonight, just wanted to catch up and say a quick hello to you all, will update again tomorrow and look forward to telling you all about our day.

Tonight's blog is dedicated to a lovely lady called Cynthia who urgently needs your angels and prayers...Thank you, God Bless xxxx

For now, rest easy folks,
Much Love
Lynn, Ade, Phoebe and Spirit Eleanor xxxx