Hospital, transplants and walking

We just got home from a quick admission to the ward. The pain, vomiting and nausea hit a peak, as his abdo X-ray was pretty bad last week, and the initial treatment did not work, they called us in on Monday for another kind of treatment aiming to kick start his digestive system again properly.

For this, the plan was NG tube for 3 litres of medication (and IV fluids through his port). We were told we might get home in 3-4 days... but escaped early today on the proviso we go straight back if he has any pain or vomiting again. Getting out of hospital earlier than we thought...? Pretty sure that is a first! 

I can only imagine how Isaac feels....battered and bruised from within I guess (36 hours nil by mouth, an uncomfortable NG tube, and vast quantities of meds and fluids that bloat you out...) - and there was some fairly significant cursing when we arrived; he hadn’t been able to eat for 14 hours before we got there due to nausea, and when he finally mustered up an appetite, only to be told, no, sorry, you need to be nil by mouth for the duration (they didn’t tell us that bit)..!! But he was, in his usual Isey style, understanding, if not enthusiastic. 

As with any admission to a children’s ward, I’ve come home feeling raw, humbled, emotional; especially at this time of year, seeing so many kids on the ward who will not get home for Christmas, or maybe, at all. 

Wonderful short film here about life, CF and lung transplantation if you’re interested, here. 

This week has been an uber emotional one; a family funeral that no-one can attend due to COVID, hospital stay, test results, and then yesterday, our annual raffle at work, in aid of the CF Trust. I can honestly say, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house after watching videos of the many festive activities that my colleagues got involved in leading up to this fundraising event, a hugely touching speech from our much loved MD, a fantastic and moving poem from a very good friend, and a fundraising total of over £4,000. I can’t thank enough everyone who helped organise all this, and all who donated X 

I will be walking 500km over the darkest month of January, and some wonderful friends and family will be pledging their own active challenges in the theme of 500 to support my fundraising further. To read more and sponsor us, please click here.

A Christmas Rosa and a hospital spot the difference!