Good news on Gill

Mum went back to the hospital regarding her collarbone today and the great news is that she won't need an op. She is mending well and should be out of her sling in good time for her holiday to Spain. We went on a short visit yesterday (she still gets tired easily) and saw her very impressive bruising. She is looking tired but is much more her usual self.

Elizabeth is keeping us on our toes as usual and had me up at 5.30am this morning. She was breathing really rapidly and was very pale, but seems to have made a really good recovery and is now enjoying a lovely sleep. I don't want to go to the RVI any more this month!!!!!!

Not to be outdone, Chloe has become scared of insects and keeps getting up in the night (Elizabeth is waking up at about 4am for a feed at the moment as well), so it's 'Hello, Zombies!' for us unless we can take action. We are trying some 'poems' which teach Chloe how to respond to situations which worry her. This has already worked with cars. She used to hide when they went past in the street as she hated the noise, but now she just shouts, "Whee!" at them. We are trying "Buzz off!" with the insects tonight, so wish us luck.

Now the cute bit - today's photo shows Senorita Chloe twirling in her lovely new Monsoon skirt from Charon and Dr G. Girls, doesn't this make you wish you were six?

Janie
xxx

PS: Liz, if you are listening, A is really sorry he forgot your birthday. Items have been purchased and will be in the post ASAP.

Toothsome

Here's Elizabeth showing off her first tooth and the new hat which was purchased today with Phil & Cath's birthday cheque.

Thanks for helping her look this cute , guys!

Invalid Gill

I'm sorry to report that my mum broke her collarbone at the party yesterday. She tripped over in the garden and felt unwell afterwards, but she thought she had just bruised her arm when she landed. After a very uncomfortable night my dad persuaded her to go to A&E and it's definitely a break which will take 4-6 weeks to mend. Poor mum.

J
x

Party Party Party

Well, the party went really, really well with the notable exception of the weather. We had a really beautiful morning here in Hexham and then literally half an hour before the party started the heavens opened and it is still raining heavily.

However, we had a great time with lots and lots of (damp) guests and, most importantly of all, we have now raised a total of £1,220 which is amazing. I will be sending letters out, but I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone for supporting the SCT so generously.

The raffle was drawn and the winners are:

1st prize
£100 M& S Voucher (sponsored by Sage employees)
Won by Thelma Russell (mum's very good friend from her nursing days)

2nd Prize
Two personal training sessions with Positive Lifestyle Training
Won by Debbie Linkleter (mum to one of Ella's school friends)

3rd Prize
Handmade jewelry set by Fifth Avenue Collection (donated by Charon's mum, Jan)
Won by Katy Warren (lovely friend)

4th Prize
Two tickets for Hexham Races
Won by Mrs Allender

5th Prize
£25 of Transcend hair and beauty vouchers
Won by Miranda, a neighbour

6th Prize
Family ticket to the Life Centre in Newcastle
Won by Jeremy, Andy's brother

7th Prize
Family ticket to the ice hockey or basketball at Metro Radio Arena
Won by Janice from Helping Hands

8th Prize
Eight very special cheeses from the Northumberland Cheese Company
Won by Charon and Gav, our fab friends in Dundee

9th Prize
Tickets for the Alnwick Garden
Won by Margaret Claydon, another of mum's nursing friends

10th Prize
Vintage Port
Won by Emma Roberts, my school friend

11th Prize
Mystery Prize - A Quiet Night In For Two
Won by Ally and Howie, who we don't like at the moment because they are in Thailand...

12th Prize
£10 M&S Voucher
Won by the incomparable but very, very naughty David Alcock

13th Prize
World Cup Football
Won by the fabulous Eileen Haw, my pretendy aunty

14th Prize
Crabtree & Evelyn Set
Won by Viv from my book club

I'll be in touch with all the winners as soon as possible.

J
x

A Perfect Day

Elizabeth loves being One, but not being prevented from grabbing her birthday candle (hence the stern 'cake face').

J x

One - the loveliest number in the world

Elizabeth is one today! She's already received lots of cards and presents (she's modelling a rather lovely dress from Aunty Alison and Tall Paul in this shot). She celebrated by learning to crawl last night (when I was at the cash and carry getting stuff for the party!) and cutting her first tooth.

We also received £135 in donations for the SCT which brings us up to £700 two days before the Garden Party.

More 'first birthday shots' to follow this evening.

J
x

Au revoir, RVI!

We're out! Elizabeth had pneumonia, but she seems really well now.

It's back to Garden Party organisation for me.

Janie xxx

Steady improvement

Hi All,

It really does look like Elizabeth will be home tomorrow (Monday); she's been looking so much better today, and has managed some normal-sized solids feeds. The staff just wanted the respiratory experts to have a good look at her tomorrow morning.

When Elizabeth's well she'll probably be referred to the Respiratory Clinic again; they'll decide whether she's just been unlucky with getting ill so frequently in the last few weeks, or if there's a physiological problem with her breathing apparatus.

Ax

Looking better

Hi All,

Elizabeth was looking loads better today. She managed a bottle earlier; and she's got her sense of fun back. That was the first time I'd seen her smile since Thursday... J took Chloe out for a lovely lunch and trip to a big soft play place in Newcastle. Chloe's been off-colour too and clearly misses her mum and little sis.

If A has a good night and manages to keep some more feeds down there's every chance that she'll be home tomorrow...

In the post this morning there was a letter from Mum, stuffed with cheques from various people -all for the Sick Children's Trust. They amount to £237.50 - all resulting from activities that mum's organised, or prompted others to organise by talking about Elizabeth and how the SCT helped us out last year. Just fantastic - thanks a million Mum! And thanks to everyone who's participated in the word quiz and soup lunch that have raised the money.

Ax

No early release this time

Hi all,

Elizabeth's still in the RVI - she's doing OK - not brilliantly, but OK - without O2 but until earlier today was not able to keep any food or fluids down. That's led to some worries about dehydration and the possibility of a drip being needed; however this afternoon she did manage a couple of quite large milk drinks via the naso-gastric tube she's now got in.

So, another night in the RVI for Elizabeth and J. Last night J was visited by our great friend Susie from Worcester and they managed to get out for an hour or so. A welcome break for J who is starting to suffer from cabin fever already...

Ax

Here we go again...

Sad to report that Elizabeth's back in the RVI again - 3rd time in just over a month. Once again it's respiratory problems. Elizabeth and I had another ride in an ambulance yesterday evening (blues & twos on this time!) as she was really poorly. Turns out she has a lung infection again. Truth be told she's not been 100% since the bronchiolitis before Easter.

She's been on oxygen, antibiotics and a nebuliser (a sort of turbo-inhaler) although she's steadily improved. For most of today the staff have just been keeping a close eye on her and she's done pretty well without the O2.

We had a succession of 3rd year medical students through today, all being assessed while they examined Elizabeth and asked us lots of questions - helped pass the time and Anna seems to enjoy having an audience...

Anyway, we're hoping that she'll be discharged tomorrow - fingers crossed.

Ax

Scorchio!

We've raised £203.59 for the Garden Party and not a single scone has been eaten yet. People keep insisting on paying over the odds for their tickets or buying lots and lots of raffle tickets. We've also had more really nice prizes in from big businesses. Hooray! Andy's mum and dad have also been fundraising in Glamis, bless them.

It is absolutely beautiful here in Hexham. We've had days of beautiful cloudless skies and perfect weather. Please let it be like this on the 21st!

Elizabeth is recovering from her horrible chest problem and charming everyone she meets. Chloe is at the Splitz show this evening (being watched by her daddy in row J) and she will be modelling a rather lovely dress on loan from Monsoon and dancing to (oh, the shame of it) "It's Chicco Time".

J
xxxxx