A great summer

Naomi had a great summer following her 11 th spine operation. She headed for Scripture Union camp ( a christian run residential holiday) in Cirencester , with Luke and cousins Benjamin and Thomas. They all had a wonderful time. Naomi once again joined the village drama summer school, who learnt and performed Aristo Cats in 1 week. We had a family holiday in Brittany on our lovely camp/ beach site. Naomi has been joined at Arnold Academy ( years 5-8) by Luke and they are both having a good start to the year.

much more comfortable than hospital chairs...

Had a good night naomi just needed help with 3 turns- Naomi texted me to wake me up! Lots of resting today.
Grandma and Grandpa ( Smith) visited today while Naomi had her first sit outside for a week - it was lovely in tthe sunshine.

Rachel

and home ....

Naomi had her brace cast yesterday, and we hoped it would have been fitted the same day... I didn't arrive however. We had planned that richard would take over for the weekend, though as Naomi seemed well enough we brought her home this morning.
The surgeon was happy not to do a post op x ray, and at this stage we can do what the nursing staff do anyway.
Naomi is resting on her bed now... . Rachel will go back next week to pick up her new brace, as she will be off school all next week.
Thanks for youremails and messages again. 6 months time we do it all over

Waiting game

Naomi and Rachel had a good night sleep. Naomi did well in plaster theatre and they are now waiting for the new spinal brace. In the mean time naomi has had a full wash and hair wash while lying in her bed. She managed 1 hour sitting in a chair while having lunch and to do some painting. Thank you to all those who have emailed, blogged ( I know some of you have tried but found it difficult to make it work!) texted and called. It really helps me ( Rachel ) to know so many are supporting us.

God bless
Rachel ,

luke came to visit

luke and daddy brought macdonalds for us for tea tonight. We enjoyed it. Naomi is about to have some pain relief and then we are going to try and get her out of bed.... Wii isn't great exercise !

one step

Naomi has achieved a lot today... she was transferred to the childrens ward mid morning and through the day has come off the morphine pump and IV fluids, and the catheter removed... Grandma and Grandad visited which was lovely for Naomi.
Tonight should be much easier for her with less going on.

Day into night

The doctors are happy with the operation and have put in a new longer bottom rod with plenty of overlap for the next few extensions . Naomi had a rough night on the High Dependancy Unit. She was sick twice and had to be catheterised . She finally rested at 3 am. Richard and I are doing 6 hour shifts sitting with her for this first 24 hrs until she is back on the kids ward where there is a bed to sleep on next to her.
Love Rachel

Sleeping

Naomi has been fairly awake this afternoon, but is now sleeping. She seems in some discomfort but otherwise is doing ok... As I walked back to HDU I took a photo of the outside of the building!

HDU all to herself

Naomi is out of theatre and in HDU. 9 beds and she's the only patient. It will fill up later I'm sure.... She seems very calm though was in recovery and HDU before they called.
She has inflatable stockings this time something new to contend with, alongside canulas in both hands, an oxygen mask and a morphine pump in her hand... Listening to Heidi on her ipod. Now that's multi tasking !