Story
Friends,
At one point or another, all three of my children have stayed on Ward 15 at University Hospital Coventry. In 2012, Tom was admitted to Ward 15 with a viral induced wheeze and spent time in the high dependency unit. It is now coming up to the first anniversary of Abigail and Francesca's lengthy hospital journey. As some of you know, Francesca spent 12 days on Ward 15 with Bronchiolitis. 12 days after Francesca was sent home, Abigail was admitted to Ward 15 high dependency unit and had to have assistance with her breathing using CPAP. 4 days later, on Friday 13th December, Francesca was admitted again, suffering from prolonged apneas. She was ventilated and sent to intensive care in Cambridge. Abigail was discharged on Friday 20th December whilst Francesca returned to University Hospital on Monday 23rd December and was finally discharged on Saturday 28th December.
As we approach the girls' first birthday, it has given me time to reflect on the hospital journeys of all my children. The time that we spent on Ward 15 was very traumatic. However, the care that we all received during our time on the Ward was incredible. All of the staff on the ward, from the nurses and doctors, to the support staff, were unbelievably supportive and the actions that they took on the evening of Friday 13th December undoubtedly saved Frankie's life. I will always be grateful to all of the staff on Ward 15 for everything that they did for us during this time. Caring for sick children must be a very difficult thing to do, but the staff always had time for us as a family. Ward 15 at University Hospital Coventry does an unbelievable job and it would mean a lot if you could help me to raise some money to assist in the work of this team and make sick children's lives a little bit better.
I am therefore running a half marathon on Sunday 19th October - the Bupa Great Birmingham Run - to raise money for an amazing cause. 13.1 miles will be the furthest I have ever run and I am sure I will find it extremely challenging. I can't promise you that I will be challenging Mo Farah with a fantastic finishing time, I can't promise that there won't be any whining or complaining (particularly in the second half!) but I can promise that with the inspiration of the way my children have fought, I will cross that finish line... even if my two running trainers are behind me with spatulas!
At one point or another, all three of my children have stayed on Ward 15 at University Hospital Coventry. In 2012, Tom was admitted to Ward 15 with a viral induced wheeze and spent time in the high dependency unit. It is now coming up to the first anniversary of Abigail and Francesca's lengthy hospital journey. As some of you know, Francesca spent 12 days on Ward 15 with Bronchiolitis. 12 days after Francesca was sent home, Abigail was admitted to Ward 15 high dependency unit and had to have assistance with her breathing using CPAP. 4 days later, on Friday 13th December, Francesca was admitted again, suffering from prolonged apneas. She was ventilated and sent to intensive care in Cambridge. Abigail was discharged on Friday 20th December whilst Francesca returned to University Hospital on Monday 23rd December and was finally discharged on Saturday 28th December.
As we approach the girls' first birthday, it has given me time to reflect on the hospital journeys of all my children. The time that we spent on Ward 15 was very traumatic. However, the care that we all received during our time on the Ward was incredible. All of the staff on the ward, from the nurses and doctors, to the support staff, were unbelievably supportive and the actions that they took on the evening of Friday 13th December undoubtedly saved Frankie's life. I will always be grateful to all of the staff on Ward 15 for everything that they did for us during this time. Caring for sick children must be a very difficult thing to do, but the staff always had time for us as a family. Ward 15 at University Hospital Coventry does an unbelievable job and it would mean a lot if you could help me to raise some money to assist in the work of this team and make sick children's lives a little bit better.
I am therefore running a half marathon on Sunday 19th October - the Bupa Great Birmingham Run - to raise money for an amazing cause. 13.1 miles will be the furthest I have ever run and I am sure I will find it extremely challenging. I can't promise you that I will be challenging Mo Farah with a fantastic finishing time, I can't promise that there won't be any whining or complaining (particularly in the second half!) but I can promise that with the inspiration of the way my children have fought, I will cross that finish line... even if my two running trainers are behind me with spatulas!