As you know (and some of you won't), in December 2007, our beautiful daughter Jessica Ellen Head became seriously ill with RSV Bronchilitus (a severe viral chest infection) and was having difficulty breathing, she was just 3 months old.

Jessica travelled in an ambulance with her mummy to Hillingdon Hospital A & E.   Once we got there her condition worsened very quickly and she was rushed to the resuscitation unit.  Jessica was desperately fighting to breath and the team that was working with her made a decision that the best form of treatment would be if she was intubated (Jessica would be unconscious while a ventilator breathed for her), as they were worried she was becoming exhausted and her vital organs/body would begin to shut down.  Although the team who treated her that day were very dedicated, committed to getting her into a stable condition and saved her life, the Hospital did not have the facilities to continue to look after her - she needed 24 hour care in a specialised unit.

John and I were then told that Jessica would be transferred to St. Mary's Pediactric Intensive care unit, within a couple of hours via a special ambulance.  At this point our heads were reeling and our hearts were breaking.

John and I arrived at the PICU a half an hour after Jessica, frightened and tired, we were unable to see Jessica straight away as she was being settled into her bed but her designated nurse for the night came and had a chat with us and she immediately put us at ease.  When we first saw Jessica, two emotions hit us - shock, all those machines and relief, she looked peaceful - it was a much calmer atmosphere than the chaos of A & E.  She looked like our Jessica - they had tided up her hair and her dolly was beside her - despite all the tubes and wires, the machines and the plaster over her mouth, holding her ventilation tube in place.

Jessica, John, various grandparents and I, spent 5 days and 4 nights in the PICU.  The staff on the unit were some of the most professional, knowledgeable and caring hospital staff we have ever come across.  The unit's staff work long 12 hour shifts, providing one on one care for their designated patient in that time.  To watch them work is amazing, they are soo highly skilled yet soo underpaid - it is a true vocation.

The team of nurses, sisters, doctors and consultants, answered our many repetative quesions, kept us informed of Jessica's care plan, her progress and supported us when we were feeling low and upset.  Whilst they provided Jessica with loving care and attention, they also did the same for John & I.  They also told us that Jessica would be home for Christmas, John & I doubted this but they were right!  

To say we enjoyed our stay at the PICU would be a lie but all of the staff made it a more bearable experience.  Although Jessica was seriously ill, she was by no means the sickest child in the unit at that time which makes her stay there a privilege.  This facility is vital for England as many local hospitals are unable to provide this level of expertise, care and support and there are only a finite number of PICU in England to serve the millions of children that live here.

As you can see Jessica is now fighting fit, raring to be on the move and just wants to catch either Robert or Yogi.  As a family we have soo much to be thankful for, which is why the 4 of us are going to join the COSMIC 5k walk on Sunday 13th July 2008, we start in Hyde Park (the Bandstand) and finish up at St. Mary's Hospital.  The money raised by us and all the other walkers will fund new equipment for this PICU, research into child illness and training for the unit's staff enabling them to continue their fantastic work with sick children and their parents.   

Thanks for visiting our fundraising page.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: COSMIC (Children Of St Mary's Intensive Care) gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

The 4 Heads xxx