Keren’s week in SCBU
Posted by Glenn
As we mentioned in the last post about Keren, she really seemed to be stabilizing quite well, early on in this week. Her feeds were increasing slowly, and she was able to breath better, with the oxygen being reduced to just a trickle. She was still in the incubator, but we were still able to take her out, and hold her for short times.
Jed and Kezia were still being looked after brilliantly, and we were still being supported, prayerfully, and practically, by our friends and family. It was wee Jed’s third birthday that Monday (he is nearly five now), and it was very difficult not being with him to celebrate it, but thankfully he was young enough not to miss us, at a wee party his Aunts had for him.
This memory is just coming to me now, but I remember having a routine, when I got into the car to drive to Antrim…I had to wire up my hands free headset, to my phone. I used this time to call family and friends, to keep them informed, and just to talk to someone who cared, I couldn’t have driven that thirty miles, with just my thoughts…it was so good to talk just then. I also knew it was good use of valuable time.
Mr Park, our minister, called again with Norman, one of the elders in our church, and we went to the hospital canteen for lunch, with them. This was a good time, and encouraging. We bowed our heads, and Norman prayed with us, and it was good to be reminded that we were very much in the prayers of God’s people around the country. God was still lovingly giving us a deep conviction that He was in control, and that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8 v 28
Six Days Old
On the Thursday of that week, with Keren being six days old, she was transferred to the Causeway Trust Hospital, as she was sufficiently stabilized to be out of the intensive care of the SCBU. This was brilliant news for us, as it meant we were so much closer to Jed and Kezia. Geraldine travelled down with me in the car, as Keren went down, by ambulance, accompanied by a doctor and nurse.
We were allocated two rooms, in the Children’s Ward. A side room for Keren, which had a bed in it, which we could use; and also a family room, where family and friends could visit, and we could have some privacy. We had use of kitchen facilities, which were great when we didn’t want to be too far away from Keren.
Keren seemed to have taken the journey in her stride, and all the staff thought she was so beautiful. They really made us feel at home, from the minute we arrived.
Previous…Our Wee Fighter
Next…Knocklayd, with a slight difference!
Comments
11 Responses to “Keren’s week in SCBU”
Got something to say?
Hi Glenn & Geraldine – just wanted to say what a gorgeous photo of wee Keren, thanks for sharing!
Yes Melanie, it nearly shows how lovely she was!
Glenn, Geraldine ,Jed and Kezia
Just think this picture of Keren is beautiful and as you say Glenn “nearly” shows how beautiful she was. A very precious wee girl. God Bless
she is such a wee dote and boys does she look like the other two, Jed and Kezia. she looks so content!
Yes, Valerie & Joanna, We love this photo of Keren, although it really does not do her justice!
We were so priveleged to visit Keren one day, she was so beautiful and such a tiny bundle of joy. Thank you Glenn and Geraldine for allowing us in to see her. Uncle David and Auntie Kathleen
Aunt Kathleen & Uncle David! Hello!
We were so pleased to see you as well… we have lots of precious memories of that time, and it is always good to remember that God’s way is best, even if we can’t understand it .
There is going to be a great re-union some day!
Love you, and thinking of you both,
Glenn xo
Hard to believe that it will soon be two years since wee Keren was brought into your and our lives . How precious that short time was.
I know Ruth, it seems like yesterday
Hi I am a mother of our youngest little girl who has T18 as well. How is your daughter? Praying that she’s doing well. I don’t know whether your website still works as the comments were way back 2008 yet but hoping that this is still active. My daughter is going 10 months on 10th of April. I have not been really exposed that much to any support groups or the like. I just want to share our life having her and perhaps you may share your experiences from your baby. It is a blessing indeed and very thankful we have her and I am sure you are too. Please contact me. Thanks and God Bless.
Ingrid
Hi Ingrid,
I have just realised that it may not be clearly mentioned here on our site, but Keren was only with us here for 8 1/2 weeks. This website was set up in memory of her, and to give an opportunity for us to share our memories of her, and tell how much the Children’s Hospice here means to us.
It hasn’t proved as easy as we had hoped to regularly update the site, but it is on-going, and there is always a new post hovering in the back of our minds…it is just not always easy to put our thoughts into writing here.
That is wonderful that your daughter is coming ten months! Please do keep in touch, and let us know how she is doing.
Keren would have been four years old next week, it does not seem like four years.
Do cherish every moment with your wee girl, and do tell us more about her…what is her name, and how is she doing?
We have been blessed with lovely twin boys since Keren (you can find pictures of them through the links on the right-hand side) and they are 10 months on the 4th of April !!!
Looking forward to hearing from you again,
Glenn and Geraldine.