Our Stories Gallery
- Grace Mary Lily Austen-Ahsan
- Nathaniel Joseph Hurley
- Adam Webb
- Annabelle
- Emily Radclyffe
- Grace Fay
- James Billings
- Thomas McKie
- Gracie and Mikey
- Jessica Rose Booth
- Freddie Chandler
- Amber Jane McAuley
- Hannah & Louise Colechin
- Harry De St Croix
- Lizzie Black
- Joshua Paul Smith
Grace Mary Lily Austen-Ahsan
Hello
My name is Grace Mary Lily and I was born on 16th July 2004 at 24 weeks weighing 14ozs. My Mummy and Daddy were very worried about me in the beginning and my Mummy cried a lot. I was transferred from my local hospital to the Oliver Fisher Unit in Gillingham, as I was so tiny and this was my best chance of survival. They all worked very hard and looked after me very well.
I picked up a few infections during my time at the Oliver Fisher unit and had to have several blood transfusions but despite all this I continued to make steady progress. My Mummy and Daddy made lots of new friends with the other Mummy's and Daddy's and we all became a strong network of support for each other. My Mummy and Daddy went through many dark periods of time but clung onto the good times when things weren't quite as bad.
After spending two months at the Oliver Fisher Unit I was transferred back to my local hospital where I was cared for by new Doctors and Nurses who helped make me big and strong. Finally on the 2nd November 2004 two days after my original due date of 31st October I was allowed to go home with my Mummy and Daddy. It has been a very long emotional journey that we have all travelled with many moments of sadness, loneliness and despair but there was always a light at the end of a very long tunnel and Mummy and Daddy never gave up hope.
I am enjoying being at home with my Mummy and daddy and I especially enjoy playing with all my toys I love anything that I musical or rattles. I now way 6lb 7ozs and doing very well, so never give up hoping and believing and I'm sure your precious little angel will be home soon just like I was.
Lots Of Love to you all
Grace Mary Lily Austen-Ahsan
Nathaniel Joseph Hurley
Thank you to the unit for helping our little boy Nathaniel Joseph Hurley recover from his traumatic premature birth. He was born on 17th October 2006 at Maidstone Hospital by emergency caesarean due to having his umbilical cord round his neck four times and weighing 5lb 1oz at 35 weeks. He was born without a heartbeat and not breathing. Once stabilised he was transferred to you at Medway in the early hours of October 18th. He spent a week with you, first on a ventilator and being treated for seizures due to brain irritation caused by lake of oxygen at birth.
Once off the ventilator and reasonably stable he was transferred back to Maidstone SCBU. We are so grateful for everything you did for Nathaniel whilst he was in your care. We were always well informed as to what treatment he was having and the staff we dealt with were very friendly and helpful. Special thanks to Helen and Simone who seemed to mainly look after Nate, but you all do a wonderful job.
He spent another 3 weeks in Maidstone SCBU and came home finally on 13th November. He is now a thriving 10lb 6oz very happy little baby and we have you to thank for getting him through the early days when he was in a very poor condition. Ultrasound and MRI scans on his brain show no ill effects of the lack of oxygen and the seizures son were keeping are fingers crossed that he will be ok.
Adam Webb
We were really excited when I found out I was pregnant with my second baby who was due on August 23rd 2005. Pregnancy was going fine with no problems, until I reached 22 weeks. I developed a pain in my chest area, and went to my local GP (27th April) who diagnosed heartburn and advised me to take Gaviscon. So I did, but the pain just got worse. On the Friday 29th April, I contacted the pregnancy Day Case Unit at Medway and they advised me to go in for tests.
I was admitted that night and kept in for tests, on the Monday 2nd May, the hospital diagnosed HELLP syndrome, a very rare form of eclampsia, (a potentially fatal disorder affecting pregnant women and their unborn children). I was told that my baby had to be delivered immediately in order to save my life. As you can imagine this was a massive shock to Dave and I, as we didn't realise how ill I was, everything was such a blur.
On Tuesday 3rd May I was induced by drip, I gave birth naturally to my son Adam at just 24 weeks gestation. He was delivered with all the membrane still intact born in a bubble' so to speak. He weighed 1 lb 4 oz / 560g, so tiny no bigger than the palm of my hand. He was taken immediately by the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), resuscitated and put on a ventilator. He had wires attached to every limb it was so scary as we were totally unaware of what the future would hold, or whether he would survive being so small and vulnerable.
Adam had a very stressful 24 hours; he had lost a lot of blood which meant he had to have a series of blood transfusion. When I went to visit Adam for the first time in SCBU, all I can remember was how hot it was due to the amount of machinery, and the constant beeping. Adam was in an incubator near the window, he looked so tiny lying there. Over the next few days, Adam remained stable; we had our formal chat with one of the consultants who explained to us about the condition of Adams Heart, Lungs, Head and Stomach, which were all so immature due to him being born so early, and his chances of survival. All this information was so hard to take on-board when you are still coping with the shock. We were told to take each day at a time.
Born 3rd May 2005 at 24 weeks
Weighing 11lb 4oz
After 4 weeks we were advised that Adam would have to go to St Thomas for a heart operation known as a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), a duct in his heart hadn't closed on its own, and the medication hadn't worked either, therefore an op was required. We were told that this was routine for premature babies, but nothing can prepare you. The op went well and Adam was transferred back to Medway after a couple of days, he then had a phase of chest spasm and twitching in his limbs which he was given medication for. Still on the ventilator but being weaned down very slowly, also tolerating his feeds, but the stats continued to be up and down, but slowing he was improving. He also went through stages of pulling his tubes out, which caused mayhem.
We were then told he had a bilateral hernia which meant another trip to London, and stage II of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). If the ROP got to stage III then it would mean laser surgery on his eyes, luckily for him it never got that far.
By the middle of June (6 weeks after his birth) Adam was transferred to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), which was a positive step forward. His milk feeds had increased and he was steadily gaining weight, he reached 2 lb a milestone'. By 29th June he was coming off CPAP 1 hour in 8, which was really good to finally be able to see Adam's face without anything attached to it. Over the next few weeks Adam gradually increased the amount of time off the CPAP, and by middle of July he went to oxygen only.
Adam was now transferred to the High Dependency Unit (HDU), and on 28th July we were allowed to bath him for the first time, quite challenging trying to undress and bath a very small baby with a cannulae attached, but a good experience as it was preparing us for when Adam would be coming home.
It took over 3 months before anyone would talk to us and prepare us for his homecoming, up until then it was each day at a time. Finally the end was insight. Adam continued to gain weight and feed four hourly by bottle. The doctors wanted him as strong and possible before they arranged his hernia op.
On 18th August, Adam was transported to Kings Hospital London for his hernia op, another terrifying experience. He had to be re-ventilated for the op, and we were advised he would be on it for a few days after as well. Adam's op went fine, but he seemed to take a long time to recover, he was sedated for a couple of days as he let everyone know he wasn't ready to come off the ventilator. We ended up being at Kings for nearly a week, but when we did get back to Medway, he was almost ready to come home.
On our return we were advised that Adam would be coming home on oxygen, due to his Chronic Lung Disease (CLD) and it had been arranged for the equipment to be installed at home, we were also given demonstrations on how to resuscitate, and how to use the oxygen equipment. It was all very positive but quite daunting at the same time. We had also arranged to do our rooming in', to make sure we were capable of managing our premature baby at home with the oxygen.
Finally after 17 very long weeks, Adam was able to come home. It was quite an exciting day, a day that we didn't think would ever come. But thanks to all the wonderful staff at SCBU, it made this day possible. We cannot express enough our thanks and gratitude to everyone involved in such a dedicated unit, for giving our little boy a chance.
Having a baby born at 24 weeks was the hardest thing we have ever had to deal with, I suffered with insomnia, stress and constant worrying with the 'what if' syndrome, an emotional rollercoaster for us all with good days and bad days, we didn't know what to expect from one day to the next. But with the strong support of all our family and friends, and all the staff at the neonatal unit we got through it
Adam did not have a very good start to life, but he is now a thriving terrible two year old, who is very cheeky and strong willed, he has a lovely personality, although very naughty at times, we wouldn't change him for the world. Although he doesn't know it yet, he saved my life by risking his own. One day, when he is old enough, we are going to tell him what a miracle he really is.
Love Allison, Dave, Matthew & Adam Webb
 2005 - Adam's 1st Christmas |
 2005 - Adam's 1st Birthday, with Matthew his big brother |
 2005 - Adam sun bathing - July 2006 |
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Look at me now, one year on Who would thought I'd grow big and strong Born at only one pound four Now I'm seventeen pound and more I smile, sit and crawl, and stand up too You'd be surprised what I can do You nursed me with your specials ways I'm grateful for my early days Now Mummy Daddy and Matthew too Also send their thanks to you Lots of love Allison, David, Matthew and Adam. |
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Annabelle
On April 14th 2007 my granddaughter Annabelle entered this world at only 24 weeks and weighing just 1lb 6oz., fortunately her delivery was in the Medway Maritime Hospital and she was soon in the care of the Oliver Fisher Neo Natal Unit.
I was able to first meet her three weeks later and could not believe just how small she really was, and so vulnerable looking connected up to pipes and wires with beeps and alarms going off all around. Her Mum and Dad spent many hours over the next few months paying daily visits and got to know the nurses and Consultants very well. At the beginning of August she was allowed home, although still on oxygen. She now, December 2007, weighs a whopping 10lb 13oz and is off oxygen during the day and progressing well.
All the family was immensely grateful to the Oliver Fisher unit and very thankful that such a superb facility was immediately available to Annabelle. I resolved that if I could help the unit in some way then I would to show my appreciation for their hard and professional help in providing such care for my first grandchild. As I was in the middle of a keep fit regime I thought that the obvious thing to do was a sponsored run that would hopefully raise some much needed funds for the unit.
I'd previously run the Women's 5km Hydro Active Challenge in Hyde Park and as this years run coincided with a holiday in the Peak District I was able to enter but at a different venue, and so chose the Birmingham City central race. The day was an early start as I still had to travel approx. 100miles to Birmingham but arrived at the start with time to spare and a chance to get warmed up and in the mood, which wasn't difficult as the weather was perfect for running and it was very moving seeing so many women gathered together and running and raising money for their own very special reasons. I'd had an Oliver Fisher tee shirt kindly delivered to my holiday address by Pat Bagley of The Medway Trust and felt very proud to be able to proclaim my own special cause. I had a good run finishing with a better than expected time and together with the help of Annabelle's Dad, Grandad and their workmates was able to raise £650 for the unit.
My next challenge will have to be something special and I'm considering one of the long Peak Fell runs next year. I just hope that I'm able to attract the same amount of sponsorship interest for the Oliver Fisher Unit once more.
Emily Radclyffe
It was the week before Christmas 2000, John was going out for his Christmas meal with work and I had an appointment with the midwife. She found protein in my water and my blood pressure was through the roof. She rang John to come and collect me and take me to the hospital for some tests. All was fine, but I was put off work and had to rest, John missed his meal !
It was 3rd January 2001, I was due for my 26 week scan. The ultrasound nurse was puzzled with my dates and asked if we were sure. The baby hadn't grown from my last scan ! A lot of worried faces hurried in and out of the room to check the scan and I was admitted straight away.
I remember being hooked up to a machine with straps around my stomach, listening to the babies heart beat. A consultant came to see us and discussed the possibility of an early delivery. She explained the pre-eclampsia had damaged the umbilical cord and the baby was starving. They wanted to keep the baby where it was for as long as possible and for me to have steroids to help mature the babies lungs. If we could hold on until 28 weeks it would be better for baby.
I recall a lovely welsh nurse from SCBU coming to see me late one night. I told her how petrified I was that this baby would not survive. We had tried for a year and finally we had conceived with the help of clomid. This baby like every other was special and the thought of losing it was beyond belief. She sat with me for at least an hour talking through the pros and cons of early delivery. I had a scan the next morning and asked what the sex of the baby was, John didn't want to know, but at this stage I needed to know, I wanted to feel closer to my baby. A girl, my Emily, I knew she would be a fighter.
We were just shell shocked, it was all a different language. We were just an ordinary couple who had had their ups and downs, finally settled and now everything was going wrong. Dr Goodman at Maidstone Hospital scanned me that morning. We asked for his honest opinion on where we were at, he said that if we delivered now she would have a 50/50 chance, if we waited she would starve. There was no alternative, we agreed.
We were transferred the next day to Medway, Oliver Fisher Unit. What a scary but fantastic place. You immediately felt safe.
I signed the paperwork, we didn't sleep that night, we both just lay there thinking. We watched the sun come up and I went to theatre 9am Thursday 11th January 2001, I was 29 weeks. When I came round John was there, holding my hand. Is she ok ?? He smiled through his tears, "She's beautiful but very small". She was 1lb 13oz, the size of a 26week fetus.
Saturday 13th January, John wheeled me to the unit to see Emily. I couldn't quite comprehend that this was my baby, she looked like a little bird that had fallen from a nest, red, transparent and her little chest barely going up and down. Her faced covered with a ventilator and wires coming from everywhere. "You can touch her" the nurse said. I didn't want to, I was in shock and I didn't want to get too attached. I just couldn't see how something so small and frail could possibly survive.
Everyone on the unit was so positive, yet cautious. My Mum and Dad came to see her, Mum said " Oh she's not that small", and Dad "She'll be fine love ", they were both trying to make me feel better, I knew what they were really thinking.
She had her good days and bad, a few little bleeds and plenty of bradys, but she was tough, a little fighter.
I was discharged on day 6. We drove home in silence, no cards, no balloons, no baby. Just a breast pump for me to express my milk, it was all I could do for her. We had a Chinese meal that night, I dished it up and we sat down. Neither of us could eat it, we both just broke down. We'd had to leave our beautiful, helpless baby girl behind and we'd never felt so empty or been that scared in our lives. Backwards and forwards we went everyday, we sat with her, talked to her, we knew she was in good hands. The alarms and technical stuff scared us but it was all for her own good.
I remember one day sitting by her incubator. We were the only parents in the unit that day, we were talking to her, stroking her hand, she opened her eyes and looked at us for the first time. The radio was on - Let It Be , came on. I'd never listened to the words before, oh my goodness !! that was it, John stood up and walked over to the window, it was so moving.
Emily was moved to Maidstone SCBU at 3weeks old. One nurse said she was going there for bed and breakfast and to grow. She did well, she eventually started to look like a real baby. She finally made it off her oxygen and we bought her home on 19th March 2001, the week she was due at 4lb 10oz. The nurses said she would catch up in size, by 18months you will never know.
It was going to be so strange to have her without any tubes or alarms. Finally we could be a family, John collected us from the hospital. He turned up with a balloon and flowers and a huge grin on his face. We took the baby with us this time.
Let It Be - well 6 years on, Emily is a beautiful, happy and healthy child. She loves school and is just like any other 6 year old and in size 8-9 clothing !!. Cheeky, very funny and the best thing that every happened to us.
The unit, staff and all the fundraisers for the Oliver Fisher Unit, work tirelessly to raise funds for these remarkable babies. We will forever be grateful to them.
Some babies struggle, some thrive, some are not so lucky, but they are all given the same chance, SURVIVAL.
Rachel Radclyffe
November 2007
Grace Fay
Grace was born; she was alive and was immediately stabilized. She was beautiful, just very tiny weighing 770grams, much less than a bag of sugar. If you put your hand into a fist her head was much smaller than that. Her fingers were the width of a matchstick. She would fit on an A4 piece of paper, arms and legs outstretched.
She needed everything doing for her as you can see. She is on a ventilator to put in and take out air from her lungs. She has lines into her belly button that carry food. She is in an incubator to keep her warm and help keep out germs.
She needed a lot of phototherapy to help get rid of the bruising. She is wearing a mask to protect her eyes from the ultraviolet light. You can see how big she is next to my hand.
Within 2 hours of birth she was taken to the Oliver Fisher Baby Unit by a special ambulance. My husband and I arrived shortly after and were introduced to what would be the routine on the next 3 months of our lives.
For the first 3 weeks all we could do was wait and see. We were told every day that she was still alive increased her chances of survival. I would be so scared in the mornings when I arrived at the unit. Her incubator was right at the front so you could see if there were doctors crowded round her, which was never a good sign.
All the time she was in the unit she would have a nurse looking after her, 24 hours a day. The nurses also provided much support for me, giving me little jobs to do like polishing the incubator and holding Graces hand to help reduce muscle damage, anything to keep me sane!
When Grace was 3 weeks old she was considered stable enough for me to give her a cuddle. When I held her it was amazing, I finally felt like a Mum.
At this point Grace had to be transferred to another hospital to have an operation on her heart. This was a difficult time for all of us as it took us out of the relative comfort of the Baby unit. The operation was a success. You can see her stitches in this picture and how thin she was again, back to her birth weight. This was because her food line had been removed as it got infected.
Grace went from strength to strength after the operation.
Within a week she was on CPAP, a different type of ventilation that taught Grace how to breathe for herself, a very gradual process that took 5 weeks.
Eventually Grace just had oxygen through a tube in her nose. She really looked like a little girl now, even though she was still tiny weighing less than 3lb.
Grace continued to do well and once the Doctors were happy with her feeding and we had oxygen installed at our house we were allowed to take her home.
This was an unbelievable day for us, one we hadn't dare dream about. Within 8 weeks of being home she was off the oxygen and we were starting to get more confident with her.
She is now two years old and has caught up with other children of her own age; she is amazing!
We are incredibly lucky to have Grace, I can't imagine how awful life would be without her and I know that she is only here because of the hard work and dedication of the all the staff at the Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Unit.
James Billings
Hi, I'm James Billings. I was very eager to find out what the world was like and to my parents shock I arrived at 27 weeks gestation. I weighed 2lb 1oz. I had a quick cuddle with my mum and then I was rushed to intensive care.
I was put on a ventilator to help me breathe and had lines attached to my hand and umbilical cord. After a few days I decided I didn't like the lines in my umbilical cord so I pulled them out, my parents weren't amused.
Just as my parents were feeling a bit more confident I decided to surprise them with a perforated bowel! We all went to Lewisham hospital where I had an operation to remove 15cm of my small intestine. I kept my parents on their toes because after operation I caught an infection.
I recovered quickly and returned to Medway where everyone took good care of me. I stayed for a total of 10 weeks and was allowed to go home 3 weeks before my due date.
Thomas McKie
10th December 2005, 5lb 6oz
32 weeks- 250 miles from home...
Mummy and Daddy were away Christmas shopping and I couldn't wait to see Santa. I was born in Maidstone hospital but needed a little extra care after a few hours. I was transferred across Kent in an ambulance to Medway where I was helped off the ventilator. After another brief spell in Maidstone, I finally made it back to Teesside in an ambulance on 23rd December. Mummy and Daddy got me home for the New Year. I've been keeping them busy since...
Thomas William McKie 10 months and rather active; Can't wait for my second Christmas, I've written my list for Santa...
Gracie and Mikey
We had just got married our Journey of starting a family started in August 2002 months pasted and then years; our hope to have a family was not looking good. In March 2005 they had to remove a large cyst on my right ovary and half my ovary had to be removed time was going on and I still wasn't pregnant so I was referred to the I.V.F clinic at the Chaucer Hospital in Canterbury, where I started treatment on 26th December 2006. I.V.F was hard but I knew this was the only way Paul and I was going to be parents.
On January 25th 2007 was the day of the embryo transfer, 2 eggs were implanted into the womb and 14 days later we had to do the pregnancy test that was the longest 14 days of our lives.
On February 8th 2007 we found out we were pregnant we cried, I could not believe my eyes PREGNANT it said on the test. This was such a special moment I was actually pregnant after 5 years. We were having a baby!!!!!!!!!!
On March 2nd 2007 we went to have our first scan to make sure everything was O.k. I was 7 weeks pregnant when the nurse announced its twin and showed us the 2 heart beats on the screen; we cried we were so happy 2 babies to love how lucky. Pregnancy was brilliant loving every minute and starting to get big. At 22.5 weeks I started antibiotics for a water infection but apart from that everything was fine, I starting feeling the babies move I was blooming!!!!
On 22nd June I was 23 weeks and 4 days sitting at work eating my lunch when I felt a little damp down below so I went to the toilet and noticed I had a lot of fluid, so I phone the midwife who said its best to go to Hospital to get checked out. Paul and I headed to the hospital not releasing what was happening. We were told to wait in the side room for the doctor to examine me. She did the examination and said that I was 2 cm dilated we were in shocked I was not in any pain and had no signs. I got admitted straight away to Pearl ward.
The next Morning at 09:00 the doctor came to examine me again to see if anything had changed, yes I was 4 to 5 cm dilated and twin 1`s membranes was on show so they decided to take me down to theatre to have a suture stitch in to prolong the pregnancy for as long as possible they said it could hold for 2 days 2 weeks or 2 months, we were hoping for months, but on the 25th June on the Monday morning I was in terrible pain , heavy bleeding so they gave me pethidine to ease the pain. But by 16:00 shocking surprise to all of us I was in terrible pain and bleeding lots. My mother and father in-law were there rubbing my back and writing down every time I had a contraction and how long it lasted.
It got so bad that they called for the doctor who examined me and said I was 10cm dilated so they rushed me straight down to theatre as twin 1 (Gracie) was on her way the stitch had started to tear. They removed the Stitch to deliver my babies, Paul (my husband) and I were terrified.
At 18:53pm weighing 1.9oz (710g) Gracie arrived blue and floppy and not crying she was rushed over to the medical team to get her breathing then 4 minutes later at 18:57 pm Mikey arrived no crying and limp weighing the same as his sister.
Paul walked over to where the babies were, he got so upset at how small they were. At this time we didn't know if our babies were going to live or die.
I was put into the recovery room waiting for news on my babies it was about 45 minutes when they had got the babies stable and one by one the transport incubators past me, all I could see was two tiny faces wrapped in lots of towels.
I was then taken to Kent Ward to rest, Paul and his parents went down to intensive care to see the babies but I was to poorly to go, so they bought back a Photo of each baby I just cried they were see through and covered in tubes and wires, but prefect and mine .
The following morning I waited for my dad to arrive and we went down together with Paul to see the babies for the first time. They were even smaller than they looked on the Photograph there eyes still closed. We were told by the twin's consultant that as they are only 24 weeks we have a long journey ahead of us and that we would have to take one day at a time and then each week. Both babies only had a 20% chance of survival.
After a week Mikey opened 1 eye and a week later opened the other but Gracie was about 3 weeks before she opened hers. They both had several blood transfusions lumbar punches and got lots of infections which was hard seeing such tiny body fighting day by day, but we had to be strong for the babies and each other if we were going to get through it.
Gracie had an infection in her kidneys called Candida which also affect the eyes she had that for the first 6 weeks of her life and became very poorly, lost lots of weight going down to 580 grams. (1 lb 1 oz).
Just as Gracie was getting better Mikey at 10 weeks old got Candida which affected his kidneys really badly he didn't pass urine for 50 hours his body started to swell things were not looking good, the Hospital called us to come and stay in the hospital as they didn't think he would pull through. We were heart broken our little Angel who we had bonded with and love with all our heart. We sat beside him all night praying and hoping things would get better.
Then I was in the next room breast feeding Gracie Paul and a couple of the Nurse from ITU came running in shouting “he's had a wee" I just sat there crying tears were running down my face and on to Gracie's cheeks. Our little boy was getting better our prays had been answered.
Gracie spent a total of 117 days in the special care baby unit and came home 2 days after her due date weighting 4 lb 5 oz; Mikey spent 135 days and came home weighting 3 lb 7 oz. It was very difficult having a baby at home and one in special care for those 3 weeks.
They both came home not needing oxygen which was fantastic.
The twins will be 1 year old next week Gracie weighting 16 lb and Mikey 14 lb both doing well are very happy jolly babies, they never cry always smiling and love playing together. The consultants and health visitors are very pleased with there growth and development. Mikey has hearing aids but is coping very well; his heart murmur and kidney problems are nearly gone, Gracie has no problems with her PDA or Kidneys which is great news too.
I am the twin's dad Paul, all I can say is what my babies must be very strong to go through all of that, I am 30 years old and I have not been through half of what any have been through. We have had tears of sadness and tears of happiness.
They are our little Miracles and we love them with all our heart.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank all the doctors' nurses and Consultants on the Oliver Fisher Unit for all there support and hard work in keeping our babies alive. If it wasn't for them and our close family Paul and I wouldn't have got through this. Thank you once again.
Jessica Rose Booth
I knew I was pregnant even before I missed my first period and before I did a pregnancy test, but even after I did a test I had to do another 2 before I really believed it. For as long as I could remember all I'd ever wanted was a baby. We were both really excited, but 9 months seemed like such a long time to wait.
When I was 22 weeks pregnant I noticed a small amount of blood after I'd been to the toilet, I really didn't know what to think or feel a numb kind of what's happening, is this normal? We phoned the hospital and were told that it wasn't an uncommon thing but we could go in and get it checked out if we were concerned. Approximately 2 hours later I was having an operation, I was in labour, 3 cm dilated and my waters could have broken at any time. I was told I had an incompetent cervix. It was explained that I had a weak cervix that couldn't hold the additional pressure of my baby.
I had a cervical suture inserted and was told that the suture may prolong and hold the pregnancy for hours, days and anything up to 10 weeks.
The following 2 weeks I was in and out of hospital experiencing abdominal pains, cramping and bleeding. Each time I was assured that this was to now be expected.
Friday the 9th of June the pain started getting worse and in hind sight was the start of my contractions, after phoning the hospital again, it was suggested I stay at home and see what happened over the weekend.
By the Monday lunch time I was beside myself, I didn't know what to do, I'd telephoned the hospital several times but they seemed reluctant for me to go back in. By early evening I made James, the baby's dad, take me to the hospital. The stitch hadn't held and again I was in labour.
Due to how premature my baby was going to be it was explained that we would need an ITU cot, unfortunately out local neonatal unit was full and the nearest space was in the Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit in the Medway Hospital 75 miles away.
The ambulance journey was terrifying, I was worrying about whether my baby was going to be born in the ambulance, if we were both going to be ok, if James was ok because he wasn't allowed in the ambulance, if he knew where he was going and if he'd be there before the baby was born.
When we got to Gillingham 1 of the paediatricians/neonatologists came to talk to us about what would happen when the baby was born and what to expect. The doctor also wanted to discuss with us the possibility of our baby taking part in a clinical study of the use of nitric oxide in premature babies. After hearing about the study we both instantly agreed. There may have been a chance that out baby could have received the nitric oxide or a placebo, but any thing that may have helped was definitely worth trying. We both also felt strongly that even if there was no benefit for our baby, any research which will continue to advance neonatal medicine and help other babies was definitely worth doing.
Jessica Rose Booth was born at 24 weeks plus 6 days on Wednesday 14th June 2006 weighing 1.9lbs (710g).
Even now I find it hard to explain or describe what I thought and felt when I first saw Jessica; she was so small, covered in so many tubes and wires, looked so vulnerable but was so beautiful and perfect.
When Jessica was 1 week old we sat down for a formal chat with Jessica's doctor, he explained her chances of survival, (at being so early and being a little girl), the potential risks such as infection, PDA, NEC and brain haemorrhages. It didn't seem real. It wasn't until Jessica was 2 weeks old and our first cuddle that it all became real. Jessica was my daughter, my baby as opposed to A baby I'd been looking at in an incubator.
There were days that were so hard, days when Jessica wasn't so well, was struggling with her breathing, requiring more oxygen; her temperature was riding, not maintaining her own blood pressure. I don't think I've ever felt so alone. After the first week James had to return home and go back to work, I was staying in a room in the hospital grounds. So many times I needed James with me, needed a cuddle, someone to talk to so many times I cried my self to sleep.
Every day I fought a battle between my heart and my head, really wanting and needing to go home just for a night, but not being able to leave Jessica. What if something happened, what if she became poorly what if she needed me?
Jessica was transferred to a special care baby cot when she was 8 weeks old. Although I was obviously pleased Jessica was well enough to be moved, pleased that it took 15mins to drive to see her as opposed to 2 hrs but still found the transition hard. The new staff didn't know Jessica and Jessica had gone from being one of the most well babies in intensive care to the smallest and sickest baby in special care.
Also coping with other parents who were devastated because their babies were having to spend a few days or a week in hospital. None of it seemed fair. Jessica spent a further 6 weeks in SCBU before being discharged home, 1 week before her original due date, and weighing 3.13oz. Once home Jessica was readmitted to hospital for a chest infection, as a result Jessica required home oxygen.
Next week Jessica will be 1 year old, she is such a fantastic little girl. She is always happy playful and smiling. The local doctors and health visitors are more than happy with her development. Jessica's eye sight and hearing are all fine, there have been no problems with her PDA, NEC, brain haemorrhages, and a cyst which Jessica had grown on her liver has now resolved. 2 weeks ago Jessica stopped using the oxygen at home. 1 week before her birthday Jessica is 16.13lbs (7.64kg) and is 68.5cm tall.
We can't thank all the staff who have looked after Jessica enough. We'll be forever grateful.
I am Jessica Rose Booth's father, no one has asked me to write this but I felt I should. It is almost a year since she was born and I can't thank the staff who looked after her enough. She is such a hero.
I am a 6'2" and weigh twenty stone and most people think I'm made of stone, but one little person weighing 1.9lbs brought me to tears and continues to do so. She has more will to live than I ever thought possible.
I would just like to tell any persons who might be in the same situation to stay strong and believe in the kids because they will try harder than we ever could. You just have to trust them, they are amazing.
We were at the Oliver Fisher Neonatal unit and I read all the letters and other people's stories and it gave me so much hope and strength and I would like to think that my attempt at a letter can give someone some hope. I know you need it.
All I can say is stay strong and dig deep, I did and I now have a beautiful baby and happy family. It's been a long year but it was worth it.
I say again trust the nurses and the doctors they're amazing and you couldn't ask for better.
Freddie Chandler
The 2nd of June 2008 was the most traumatic day of my life.
Being in labour (for many hours) and seeming not to get anywhere, Then being told I had complications and needed an emergency caesarean (now) it was an experience I was just not prepared for.
However all went well only to be woken at 5am to be told my baby had breathing problems and needed to go to the OFNU.
I was petrified and didn’t know what was going on or what to expect.
The care and support that my son and I received from the OFNU was outstanding nobody could be more caring, kind, and sympathetic than the staff there.
The staff quickly and efficiently calmed my overactive traumatised nerves and explained what was happening and why, Then they answered any questions and concerns that I had so I was able to understand and see things in a clearer light.
Freddie spent 2 and a half wks in the unit while I had to go home after 5days it was the hardest time of my life after going through all what I had only to leave hospital without my baby.
The staff at the unit were extremely reassuring and accommodating when I visited Freddie, They even encouraged me that I should ring whenever I felt the need to check his progress (Day, night or morning)
I could not express nowhere near enough the amount of time, care, attention and most of all commitment myself and many other families have received from the wonderful staff.
Therefore it was not hard for me to find the inspiration to gather together my family and friends to help raise money for the unit that helped my son so unconditionally. It is a small price to pay to see him growing smiling and healthy
Carly Chandler (Mother of Freddie)
Amber Jane McAuley
27th October 2007 3lb 12oz 8 weeks premature |
Hello my name is Amber McAuley. I was born on the 27th October 2007 by emergency caesarean section weighing just 3lb 12oz. I was 8 weeks early much to my Mummy and Daddy’s surprise. I know that 3lb 12oz is quite heavy in comparison to some of the really tiny babies that are staying in SCBU but my Mummy and Daddy were really worried because I was still so little. I have been a fighter from the start and when I was taken from Mummy’s tummy I came out screaming so the nice doctors who were ready with their ventilators didn’t need to help me. To be honest, there was nothing really wrong with me apart from my weight and I wasn’t able to maintain my own temperature so I had to have a heat lamp over me. |
27th October 2008 1st Birthday Very Heavy!!! |
Well the nurses thought that I had a problem keeping my own temperature but really I was just playing with them……. I just liked being warm under the lamp!
I had to stay in SCBU for exactly 4 weeks and my Mummy and Daddy came to visit me every day. My poor Mummy was still very sore after the operation but would come and sit with me for nearly 8 hours every day. It was hard for Mummy and Daddy to leave me every night but they knew that I was being looked after. The nurses were really nice to me.
I came home after 4 weeks weighing 4lb 12oz and Mummy and Daddy were so proud of me.
On my 1st birthday I wanted to do something to pay back the Oliver Fisher Unit for all the love and support they gave me and Mummy and Daddy so I had an idea.
I had two birthday parties, which were Halloween themed. One was for friends and one was for family (we couldn’t fit everyone in the house on the same day!). I charged a voluntary entry fee to my parties and am very proud that I raised £50 for the Oliver Fisher Unit.
Without the specialist care and attention from the Doctors and Nurses, I wouldn’t be as happy as I am today.
Thank you
Love
Amber McAuley
xxxxxx
Hannah & Louise Colechin
Hannah and Louise Colechin were born on 17th November 2003, at only 28 weeks plus 5 days. For twins being born so premature their weights were surprisingly good at 2lb 7oz and 2lb 12oz respectfully.
More surprisingly however, was the fact that they were carried from the delivery room to the special baby care unit wrapped in towels with no need for any assistance with their breathing. This came as a real boost to us particularly after speaking to the SCBU paediatrician at the length during labour, where every possible outcome situation was gratefully discussed. We were also aware how fortunate we were to be accommodated at the unit, as cots were always full.
Although Louise did need a little more care and attention than Hannah, generally both were amazingly well and the next 7 weeks spent at the unit enabled their breathing and feeding and gain enough weight to allow them to finally come home on 2nd January 2004, weighing 4lb 10oz and 4lb 11oz.
All the staff at the unit helped us through probably one of the most difficult times of our lives, particularly covering the Christmas period. Everyone was so friendly and helpful allowing both ourselves and also our 2 ½ year old daughter Emma, to get fully involved with the care of our two babies. We were never made to feel guilty at the times we were unable to be at their sides and likewise we were never made to feel in the way when we were still there at midnight.
Our eternal thanks and admiration go to all the dedicated staff who worked so hard to keep our beautiful babies alive and well.
Hannah and Louise have now reached their 1st birthday and are as cheeky and mischievous as any other 1 year olds. Although the past year had been extremely worrying, stressful and emotional, we feel totally blessed to have 3 beautiful children who are all happy and well.
We hope that anyone reading this and finding themselves in a similar situation can stay ever hopeful for their own little angels.
Harry De St Croix
To all my friends at Medway Maritime Hospital.
Hello there. It’s me; Harry De St Croix. I’m over a year old now and thought it was time to write to you.
My story began last year when Mum and Dad decided the world needed another little De St Croix baby, but I decided not to be just an ordinary baby. So from week 7, I caused problems and at week 22, Mum had to stay in hospital. I was born 20/10/05 weighing 995g and I was 25 weeks and 6 days old.
Well, I got along quite well for a prem baby until a week or two before Christmas, but then the dreaded NEC caused me to swell up like a little football. The doctors said, "You need to visit our friends at Kings, Camberwell, they will sort you out,"
But there were no vacancies and I’m afraid Mummy and Daddy got really rather stressy, anyway off to London on boxing day.
Oh dear, things got worse. My lungs couldn’t cope and I was given a paralysing agent so I couldn’t fight against the ventilator. I was vibrating like a old washing machine! Still I got worse and Mum and Dad had to discuss withdrawing my care, because I was close to experiencing major organ failure.
Finally the doctors said that there was a ‘glimmer of hope’ that the steroid dexamethasone might save me, and guess what? I responded, now my Dad blames me for all his grey hairs! And after all that I didn’t need surgery for the NEC.
I went back to Medway on Feb 1st and made slow progress. On March 23rd I came home. Brilliant. But then I got a chest infection and had to go back in. Then in April I did a quick visit to Lewisham Hospital for surgery on double hernias. They were great. No problem!
Now I’m doing great. We all often think about the Oliver Fisher Unit and all the other babies and families.
Thank you so much for the skill and kindness you gave me.
Lots of love
Harry
Lizzie Black
Lizzie, who was born in the Oliver Fisher Unit at All Saints Hospital, Chatham, on 11th May 1987. Lizzie arrived three months premature and weighed just over 3lb, although her weight dropped to 2lb 12oz in the first few days. She had a chest infection when she was born, for which she needed physiotherapy. She spent the first two weeks on a ventilator and was fed 1ml of milk every hour. The Unit had a supply of dolls' clothes to dress the premature babies in, and I can remember feeling shocked at how tiny Lizzie was - her leg was the same size as my thumb! Lizzie spent a total of seven weeks in hospital, coming home when her weight reached 5lb.
I can remember worrying about how Lizzie would be when she grew up, but although her development had obviously been slowed down by her premature birth (she sat up, crawled and walked much later than her brothers and sister), by the time she reached school age she had caught up with other children of her age.
Lizzie did well at school, passing GCSEs and A-Levels. She then took a year out, during part of which she travelled around Europe with a friend, and then went on to study History at the University of Reading.
She is in the middle of her final exams at the moment, and is hoping to graduate with first class honours later this summer.
Needless to say we were very grateful for all the care and support we received whilst Lizzie was at the Unit, and we hope her story will encourage the parents whose babies are there now.
Story by Jill Black (Mother of Lizzie)
Joshua Paul Smith
I was born on 27 June 2006, at 31 weeks, weighing 3lb 10oz. I was discharged from the Oliver Fisher ward after 6 weeks, shortly before my due date.
On my 3rd birthday I weighed 15kg and measured 95.3cm
I am an adventurous and lively little boy who loves playing with my cars, going to the seaside, going to the park and riding on my scooter.
My premature birth was a real surprise to everyone (including me) but I have developed into a normal, healthy little boy with no pre-term complications.
Mummy and Daddy have asked me to say “there is light at the end of the tunnel, it does get easier and I was worth it” – not sure she means by that?
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff on the Oliver Fisher ward for all of their love and support over the last 3 years. There are not enough words to describe how grateful I am to them all.
I also send my love and best wishes to you and your baby(s)
Thinking of you all,
Joshua