A Strange Life

Now that the Christmas rush is over, I feel I have a few moments to update! Catherine has been doing really well - she has had a few bad days on steroids and is currently on 'anti-spot' (Chicken Pox preventative medicine), but otherwise she is doing well. Catherine's sibling is also growing well and is due to make an appearance in the next few weeks. I had an appointment today with my Consultant (this makes a change as it is usually Catherine's Consultant), and it is funny how Catherine just gets into the 'hospital zone'. She is so used to hospitals and Consultants and has her own routine, that seeing another consultant is really no big deal. She was fascinated today that, as they examined my tummy, the bed I had to lay on was NOT ELECTRIC. Yes, it was one that is raised jerkily by a foot pump and Catherine was not impressed. Her favourite bit about seeing her Consultant is when he examines her belly, and she gets to work the electric controls on the bed!!!

Anyway, I have made two medical professionals come close to tears in the past two weeks - not through anything I've said or done, but just when they meet Catherine and read my maternity notes. I find it all so odd really, because I forget that people think we have been through a big ordeal. We just kind of get on with life, and it is only when midwives read about Catherine on my maternity notes, and the complications of this pregnancy, that I start to realize what other people may be thinking. Life is certainly strange.

Another milestone

Catherine watched me having an injection today. This is a big milestone for her as she has always previously been so scared of needles that she didn't even want to look at one! I am pleased because eventually she will not have her portacath and will need to have injections and blood tests. This will hopefully help her get over her phobia.

Special gift

I am feeling quite emotional today as it has been agreed with our Consultant that when our baby is born, the cord blood will be stored. This is very special, as cord blood is used in Bone Marrow Transplants. Whilst we fully believe Catherine will not need the cells from the cord blood, her unborn sibling will be donating these cells which could, if unused, be a match for another child in need of a Bone Marrow Transplant. They will be stored at our hospital. Finding a match is very difficult in Bone Marrow Transplants. With a sibling's cord blood, the likelihood of a match increases. I never thought this would be possible through our hospital so am very touched that our Consultant is arranging it for us. Originally I had anticipated that I would have a home birth, but due to the medication I need to prevent further blood clots, I now have to give birth in hospital. However, today's news gives more purpose to this situation, and one day I will be able to explain to Catherine's brother or sister what their donation means.

Many hospitals now ask for consent to take cord blood and it is so worthwhile. The more who donate, the greater the chances of finding a match. For more on this, please see the link http://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/cordblood. It is also possible for adults to donate bone marrow: http://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/bonemarrow/patientstories. Thankyou God for the amazing abilities and knowledge you give to us to help cure such horrible illnesses.

Happy Day

Catherine has had a fabulous day today. She has been so happy and bouncy and has been laughing and generally having a really good time. She has also been back at school and everyone was pleased to see her. She has also made friends with a little boy (shocking, as Catherine didn't really like little boys much when she started school) and she told me they spent some time today kissing eachother on the cheek! She also had fun at school because they did a taste test of different fruits. Catherine LOVES fruit so she would have enjoyed every minute. Also, at bedtime, she chose a book that hasn't been read to her for ages, and decided she would read it. She read most of 'The Lion who missed his Breakfast' all by herself! I was so excited, I had to get Mark to come in and confirm that he hadn't read it to her recently. But sure enough, she read it!

The hospital said that her blood counts are due to drop again in the next few days, and to pack a suitcase in case she starts to feel poorly. But I'm so hoping and praying that even if her counts drop, she will still not feel too bad and will not need to go into hospital.

The case of the disappearing glucose

Last night, the hospital confirmed raised glucose levels in both Catherine's blood and urine.

However, in the time it took for her to transfer hospitals (3o mins) and have further bloods examined, the glucose had COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED. If anyone medical can explain this to us, please do, but the latest word we have is that she should be coming home today. The doctors and Jeannette (:-) ) think it may have been a side effect of steroids, but the fact that it just disappeared seems remarkable to me. Maybe I shouldn't be amazed, but it happened when we all started praying...

Thankyou again for your prompt prayers - time and time again they are answered in ways that astound us. The glucose explains why Catherine had been sleeping all the time, but now it is gone, Mark says she is leaping around the hospital!

I'm not sure why these things happen. I don't believe God causes them to happen, but I do believe that he does get involved when we approach him with faith.

'He gives and takes away
He gives and takes away
My heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be your name'.

Let's thank God for his amazing power today.

The latest situation - please pray

Catherine went into hospital to have some tests done to see why she has been so low on energy and not feeling herself. It is now 23:06hrs and the hospital has called to say that she has glucose in her urine and they are concerned that she may have developed diabetes. Alternatively, the steroids she has been on may have caused this symptom.

She now has to go in immediately to have a blood sugar test. This is a finger prick test which would be fine in someone who has no phobia of needles, but Catherine can't even see me having an injection let alone have one herself. If they find sugar in her blood she will need to stay in for further tests.

Please pray for her if you see this this evening or early tomorrow that it is not diabetes and is just a minor side effect of treatment. God is good - he will listen and answer. She has already had so much to deal with. Her parents are both exhausted with this Eastenders script lifestyle, so a prayer for renewed energy for us would also be appreciated. Please pray for Catherine today. Thankyou.

Poorly Catherine

Catherine is still very under the weather at the moment. She has slept most of the day and we are now wondering if she is becoming anaemic again. It doesn't help that her immune system is also not there, and she is also getting tummy aches and indigestion. We were hoping to be able to take her outside to see the Christmas lights being switched on tonight, but I'm not sure we're going to make it. Poor Catherine always seems to miss out on the fun bits.

If she still seems anaemic tomorrow we will take her to hospital to see if her bloods are really low. They will be able to give her a blood transfusion if her Haemoglobin is 8 or below.

Please pray that she feels better soon. Thankyou.