Graham Reid
Tom and Elliot
Fundraising for Fife Health Charity
Story
On the 24th June 2016, Ruth gave birth to our beautiful twins Tom and Elliot. Unfortunately when they were just 4 days old they both became very unwell and at 6 days old they were both in High Dependency within the Special Care Baby Unit. Tom, in particular, was in a life threatening condition.
After numerous tests, we found out that both boys had enteroviral sepsis. Tom's condition was changing every day and while Elliot appeared to be doing better, the doctors were worried that he may become as sick as Tom.
All of a sudden we had been thrust into a world of heart-rate monitors, blood oxygen levels, blood tests and the various alarms which our boys were continually setting off. The nurses and doctors within the Unit were incredible. They talked to us, keeping us in the loop and explaining things multiple times to help us understand. They did their best to help us to relax, and even made us laugh. Above all, they reminded us that Tom and Elliot were our baby boys, encouraging us to talk, sing, and read to them, and even give Tom a gentle massage. They allowed us to change their nappies and hold the feeding tubes when they got their milk. They helped us to feel like Mum and Dad again, rather than onlookers.
By involving us in this way, they helped us to see their little personalities emerge. Elliot had a habit of setting off the alarms by removing the oxygen tube from his nose and putting into his mouth, or pulling the probes off his chest and sticking them to his face! Tom, although very heavily sedated, amazed the nurses by refusing to let them move his arm into a particular position, immediately moving it back the way it was! He was also able to squeeze our fingers!
After 10 days, Elliot had made a full recovery and was able to come home with us, while Tom remained in the Unit. Leaving Tom behind while we drove home was the hardest thing we'd ever done, but we knew that he would be cared for by the nurses when we weren't there.
Over the course of the next week, Tom's condition worsened. He died, in our arms, early in the morning on 15 July 2016 - his and Elliot's due date. He was three weeks old.
We'll never forget the care, attention and expertise of the staff within the Unit. They helped save Elliot's life and they did everything they could to save Tom's.
If you can, please support us by donating to the Special Care Baby Unit, at Victoria Hospital. Your donation will help save the lives of sick and premature babies and will support parents who are going through the hardest of times.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and for visiting our page.
Graham, Ruth, Laurel and Elliot x
After numerous tests, we found out that both boys had enteroviral sepsis. Tom's condition was changing every day and while Elliot appeared to be doing better, the doctors were worried that he may become as sick as Tom.
All of a sudden we had been thrust into a world of heart-rate monitors, blood oxygen levels, blood tests and the various alarms which our boys were continually setting off. The nurses and doctors within the Unit were incredible. They talked to us, keeping us in the loop and explaining things multiple times to help us understand. They did their best to help us to relax, and even made us laugh. Above all, they reminded us that Tom and Elliot were our baby boys, encouraging us to talk, sing, and read to them, and even give Tom a gentle massage. They allowed us to change their nappies and hold the feeding tubes when they got their milk. They helped us to feel like Mum and Dad again, rather than onlookers.
By involving us in this way, they helped us to see their little personalities emerge. Elliot had a habit of setting off the alarms by removing the oxygen tube from his nose and putting into his mouth, or pulling the probes off his chest and sticking them to his face! Tom, although very heavily sedated, amazed the nurses by refusing to let them move his arm into a particular position, immediately moving it back the way it was! He was also able to squeeze our fingers!
After 10 days, Elliot had made a full recovery and was able to come home with us, while Tom remained in the Unit. Leaving Tom behind while we drove home was the hardest thing we'd ever done, but we knew that he would be cared for by the nurses when we weren't there.
Over the course of the next week, Tom's condition worsened. He died, in our arms, early in the morning on 15 July 2016 - his and Elliot's due date. He was three weeks old.
We'll never forget the care, attention and expertise of the staff within the Unit. They helped save Elliot's life and they did everything they could to save Tom's.
If you can, please support us by donating to the Special Care Baby Unit, at Victoria Hospital. Your donation will help save the lives of sick and premature babies and will support parents who are going through the hardest of times.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and for visiting our page.
Graham, Ruth, Laurel and Elliot x