Emily Hope Making a difference for Bliss
Laura Greaves is raising money for Bliss
In memory of Emily Hope Greaves
Story
On the 7th July 2015 we attended the Fetomaternal Unit at the Jessops wing of Sheffield Hospital. These appointments had become a regular occurrence for us to check on the growth of our twins. We started this particular trip meeting the Bliss Nurse Sandra Brown who took us on a tour of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We were shown around the ward and given a run down on how things work, the machines that were being used on babies and we were shown an incubator. At the time every seemed very hyperthetical. At the routine appointment it became clear that things were quite as they should be. The decision was made to deliver the babies that night. At 8.31pm Annabel Rose was delivered by emergency c section weighing 751g (1lb 5oz) followed a minute later by her twin Sister Emily Hope weighing 389g (13oz). Our babies were going to be on that unit quicker than we had ever imagined. Tom was able to see Emily Hope for the first time in the delivery room and was then taken to NICU to meet Annabel Rose. When Tom returned to the maternity ward he was able to tell Laura that they were the parents of Twin Girls! Tom was given pictures of the girls to show Laura. Laura wasn't able to see the girls until early the following morning. We were over whelmed with love for these 2 tiny little girls. Initially Annabel had some hiccups along the way and Emily was doing well. We were constantly supported by the amazing Doctors and Nurses on the Ward. They explained that we take each hour as it comes. We were encouraged to interact with the girls and were quickly roped into changing nappies and caring for the girls. Being so small it made the task of changing a nappy incredibly scary, but the staff soon had us trained.
Emily became poorly and on the 15th of Julywe had to take the heart breaking decision to cease Emily's treatment. We were able to arrange an impromptu christening, where Annabel was brought into Emily's Room on a special Trolley so that we could be together as a family for the first and last time. The Hospital Chaplin conducted the ceremony which was also attended by some of the staff who were looking after both the girls. Then we were taken into a private room where we held Emily for the first and last time. A joyous and heart breaking event in our lives that has truly left Emily Imprinted in our hearts for ever. We held Emily in Our arms and told her how loved she is and asked her to watch over Annabel from heaven.
After she had passed we were given a box, it contained her hand and footprints in ink and in clay. Items that we will treasure for ever.
Staff at the hospital were incredibly supportive, in 8 days we had been through so much with them. One doctor that had been highly involved in her care said " Emily had had 8 days that were filled with Love". The team at the hospital made arrangements for Emily's funeral and we were able to give her a fitting send off.
Annabel's progress was slow but on the 20th of July she was allowed to come out of her incubator and have her first cuddles with Mummy and Daddy! A moment that will stay in our hearts forever.
We were able to stay on the Neonatal unit for 5 weeks in a Parent Room. 1 of 6 rooms that are given to parents of babies who are really poorly, or whose parents live along way away. We are truly thankful to Sheffield Hospital. For allowing us the use of the room. It also enables us to meet families who were going through similar situations to us. It was particularly helpful to be around other parents when Tom went back to work, it meant Laura still had people for support or just to have a cup of tea and a chat with to feel normal for a while.
Eventually after 9 weeks in Sheffield Annabel was transferred to a hospital closer home. Where we were prepared for her home coming. After 89 days of being in hospital Annabel came home on the 5th October 2015.
Annabel is doing very well despite her slow weight gain and small size. She is a happy little girl who loves to be around people and she has a beautiful smile that just melts your heart. She has a lovely little chuckle and is keeping us on our toes now she is crawling and trying to walk.
We will never forget Emily, it's been a difficult journey since losing her. We are conscious not to mourn her death but to celebrate her life and our love for her. There are times when we look at Annabel and feel guilty that Emily is not here to celebrate Annabel's miles stones and even to celebrate her own. It has made us both see what a precious little girl Annabel is. There is a lot of support available when you lose a child sadly there is next to none aimed at parents who have a surviving Twin. It's been talking to other parents that we've found support in knowing that we're not alone in the way we feel. We know that Emily Hope will be watching over Annabel from the stars, she is always in our Thoughts and hearts.
We chose to Raise money for Bliss and the Sheffield Hospitals Charity who have a special fund for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in memory or Emily Hope and as a thank you for the support and Care of us all.
Sandra Brown the Bliss nurse at Sheffield was an amazing support. She has a smile that brightens a dark day and she always made time for anyone that needed her. Sandra always had time to answer any questions. We celebrated our 1st Wedding Anniversary whilst Annabel was in Sheffield and Sandra had taken a photo of Annabel and gave its us with a little note wishing us a happy anniversary, a photo that melted our hearts!
We decided to raise money for both Bliss and the Sheffield Hospitals Charity. In memory of Emily Hope and as a thank you for their support
Bliss are campaigning for more rooms at Neonatal units across the country. An invaluable resource that sadly is in short supply. These rooms give parents more time to bond with there baby and to be safe in the knowledge that there little treasure is close by.
Sheffield Hospitals Charity have raised funds to build a new parent suite on the Neonatal unit, they money we have raised will be going towards furnishing these suites to make them as comfortable as possible for parents.
Without them the journey would be so much more difficult.
And to our Family and friends who have always been there for us through the journey and have offered there love and support to us all a heartfelt thank you from us all. There love and support means the world to both of us
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.