A Family Reunited

For the past two weeks the Patel family has been living apart.
Older brother Arun staying with Grand Parents Catriona & Peter while his little brother has been in hospital being looked after on a twenty four hour shift system by Mum & Dad.
Cameron has slowly regained strength and fought off his Bronchitis and with the help of additional Oxygen, medication and lots of love from his parents. He is now well enough to be cared for at home.
Sanjay collected Arun on Saturday and the whole family is now complete.
Grand Parents are resting quietly at home. Ornaments have been moved back into place and sticky finger prints have been removed from doors and paintwork.
The dogs are missing Arun the trail of dropped biscuits and other treats has ended.
Lets hope that all is now set for a very Happy Christmas.

Cameron Rushed to Hospital

Two days after Cameron's first visit to his Grand Parents Jo took him to the Doctors for a scheduled check up. He had a bit of a cough and his breathing was a little laboured.
The Doctor checked his Haemoglobin and finding it very low sent him straight to hospital where he was admitted to the children's ward.
Sanjay stopped with him over night and became very concerned as he was struggling more and more with his breathing. It took until the morning before he was properly assessed by which time his condition had deteriorated. He was sedated and put on a ventilator to enable his transfer to a special hospital. It was decided he must go to Great Ormonds Street for intensive care but having been sent off by ambulance a bed could not be guaranteed and he was returned to Ealing. A worrying wait ensued before a bed was made available and Jo and Cameron made their way to Central London.
His condition remained constant for the next twenty four hours before a diagnosis of bronchitis was made. With the help of medication and constant support from the nursing team and his parents his condition started to improve.
After four days he was taken off the ventilator and put on his old friend cpap to enable him to be returned to Ealing.
His condition is gradually improving and he now is receiving only a small amount of Oxygen. His Mum and Dad stay with him twenty four hours a day.
We hope with luck he should be well enough to be discharged by the weekend.

Mark Two Comes to Visit

We've had a great Weekend but we're shattered.
The Patels have come to stay, the house is wrecked and the Grand Parents are going convalescent.
Young Cameron, now named mark two is making great progress and weighs in at a little over seven pounds. It's hard to think that this was the week we expected him to be born rather than far off August when he arrived. He still spends most of the day sleeping. When awake he takes great interest particularly in his food. Brother Arun frequently goes over to his cradle to look at his little brother if he thinks Cameron is hungry he offers his own bottle or throws in one of his own toys.
Roll on Christmas we're going to have fun.

Home Sweet Home

It's been two weeks since my last post and it's great to report little news.

Cameron is prospering. His two main occupations in life are eating and sleeping. He is steadily putting on weight and now tips the scales at a little over six pounds.

Sanj and Jo are well on with the bonding process. Sleepless nights aside they are loving their extended family.

The two Grandmas visit regularly and shower Arun with love to prevent jealousy

Arun is starting to get interested in his little brother. He hates Cameron crying and tries to share his bottle with his little brother.

Sleepless Nights

Parents often tell of the great love for their new babies.
But not at three in the morning.

Cameron's home coming has been great fun. He is prospering and keeping Jo and Sanjay very busy.
During the day Arun is intrigued by this new person and often comes to take a look at him.
The only problem is when either Mummy or Daddy picks Cameron up for a love or a feed.
This is not acceptable and Arun shows his displeasure with a show of temper demands a bottle to match his brother.
The life of a fifteen month old boy very difficult. He is learning the difficult rule of sharing.

Catriona has not been needed in London as Sanj and Jo want a little time to themselves and their family.
She paces up and down at home not quite sure what to do.
An invite to visit Arun on Friday was quickly accepted and she rushed to London for a cuddle.
She returned home satisfied having taken Arun for a long walk in the park.
Her only moan is that Arun wont let her pick up Cameron. She is Aruns Granny and hes not going to share.
Its been a great week.
We are all so grateful.

Cameron comes home

Our news gets better and better.
Since our visit last Saturday it has been clear that Cameron is getting stronger.
Jo phoned us on Tuesday and said Cameron had been taken off his monitors.
She was now to stay in hospital with him for a few days to gain confidence in looking after him full time.
On Thursday we got another call from Jo. The Doctors had examined Cameron and were happy for him to come home.

The first part of Camerons Journey had concluded with a safe home coming.
Cameron had showed a great fighting spirit to come through. His Mum and Dad rewarded with a second son.

The first night at home was hard work for his parents. Jo was up at about two in the morning when Arun woke. Sanjay picked him up and brought him over to see his mum and brother.
Arun was not pleased. His mummy was feeding another baby his milk.
He gave a large cry and demanded his bottle.
It took several hours to achieve a sort of peace.
Jo took Cameron downstairs and Sanjay cared for Arun.

I think it may take a few weeks of bonding before they get a good nights sleep.

A wonderful Day

In life we all look forward to special days.

On Saturday Catriona and I had one of those days. We had waited just over eight weeks. We were now able to meet our new Grand Son Cameron. We approached the hospital with some trepidation. It was a nineteen seventies building. Very anonymous, made of concrete with little charm. We entered through typical gray corridors to find our way to the maternity unit. After washing and sterilising our hands we were shown to a room with a plastic crib holding a tiny person.

We were greeting by the sheer perfection of life. A tiny baby. He was still wired to his monitors. He was awake and Cameron wanted his dinner. Share with us this small video of our first visit.

9th October

It's been a good week.
Cameron has made steady progress. His breathing has improved and he is off the CPAP.
He still has fluctuations and is able to manage them without external support.
On Thursday he was visited by the cardiologist, He carried out an ECG and ultrasound.
His heart murmur has reduced and no treatment is planned other than continued monitoring.
Jo and Sanjay both keep up a very positive attitude but take each day as it comes.
The good news of this week has helped them, but they both look tired.
Catriona spent the day in London and has brought Arun home this evening. He is a lot of fun but a real mischief machine. He makes us laugh and is so easy to love.
Tomorrow is a big day we have our first visit planned to see Cameron. We really look forward to meeting him for the first time. It will be a special day.

2nd October

It's another week on and time for me to write my diary on Cameron's Journey.
It began with the news that Cameron's condition had stabilised and plans were being made to move him to a hospital near to Jo and Sanjay's home.
Tuesday came and Cameron was loaded up in his incubator into an ambulance to make his move nearer to home. He was accompanied by a Doctor, nurse and two paramedics. Jo followed in her car as their was no room for her in the ambulance.
The move safely made, he was put into a separate room and tests taken to make sure he was clear of the MRSA virus.
We were all so pleased he had made such an important step. More importantly from Thursday he could be visited by his Grand parents. We were all so relieved.
Wednesday came and the good news was tempered as Cameron was again struggling with heart fluctuations and his oxygen balance. Plans were made for him to see a specialist after scans showed problems with his heart development and a possible murmur.
His milk intake was reduced and he was placed back on his CPAP to help his breathing.
It's so difficult for Jo and Sanjay but they keep up a very positive attitude in supporting each other and making sure Arun has some time and love.
It's Friday so Catriona is going up to look after Arun. She is going to stop overnight so Jo and Sanjay can have a bit of a rest.
The news is again better Cameron has had a steady day but Grand parents can't visit him yet.
Catriona has persuaded Jo and Sanjay to go out to see friends, she is having fun looking after Horrid Henry (our pet name for Arun)
Cameron's journey goes slowly forward. We look forward to next week and good news on his progress.

25th September

It's been a better week but still with highs and lows.

We've waited a number of days for the results of Cameron's blood tests.

The Doctors are happy that Cameron is holding his own. Jo says that his colour is better and he is receiving less help for his breathing.

It's very hard. Only Jo and Sanjay can visit. This prevents infection in the unit.

Catriona and I have had several rows as we feel the tension and frustration of not being able to visit. We feel the hurt of not being able to help them.

Each day is a further step forward and increases our hopes that our grandson will be soon be home.

I spoke to Jo tonight mostly about normal things. How was Arun. Had Sanjay sorted his car. Had they bought the wall paper to redecorate their lounge.

Jo brought back the reality of the day when she told me about another small child the same age as our Cameron. He had been rushed to Theatre but had died before the surgeons could operate.

Life of these little children is so fragile. I feel so sorry for the parents and family and pray that our Grandson can get through to a safe home coming.

18th September

It's been a much harder week.
Started well. Cameron was making steady progress so he was moved to an open cot and taken off CPAP his feeding volume was increased with a lower feeding frequency.
He did well for first three days. But his haemoglobin level was low and he was given a blood transfusion to enable him to absorb more oxygen.
His colour looked better when Jo arrived the next day. During the day his blood pressure crashed and he stopped breathing.
The staff were able to help him and he was returned to an incubator with assistance from his CPAP.
He's had another blood transfusion and his condition appears to be stable.
We should all know more in the next couple of days.

11th September

It's Friday and both Grandmas have commitments so can't look after Arun.
Don't worry Super Granpy is at hand. I'll take a day off. Then Jo can spend the day with Cameron.
Arrive on time Aruns got the grumps. His teeth are hurting and he's not on top form.
Think the best plan is to take him to the Bunny Park. Load him up and make our way to the Park.
Arun is fast asleep. Push him slowly home. Carpenters are busy putting up shelves so I decide to put him in the car and take him home.
A visit to Mead Open Farm should brighten him up as he loves the animals.
Grandma has an afternoon appointment at the hospital so joins us for lunch and a visit round the farm. Arun won't eat so we decide a walk round the animals will help. He loves the Goats but then nods off.
We decide its best to take Grandma to Hospital then we can take Arun back to London as Jo will get home about five.
All works well until we are held up in traffic and Arun wakes very upset and is sick all over himself and the car.
All soon cleared up. Arun's still unhappy but pleased to see his Mum.
Cameron's making steady progress and she had a good day.

4th September

Steady progress.

Cameron has continued his Journey and is making steady progress.
We take each day as it comes and are grateful that he is progressing.
He has regained his weight loss and is able to breathe for short periods by himself.
When a cot becomes available he will be transfered to a unit that requires a slightly lower level of care.
Jo and Sanjay are still his only visitors.
They have taken a few pictures on their phones we can share

Cameron Alex Patel

Our baby has a name

Welcome

Cameron Alex Patel

Cameron is making steady progress.
He is still in the special care unit.
With the care and help of all the staff his condition has not caused concern.

21st August

Our baby is doing well.
Jo has been released from hospital.
She and Sanjay can visit the special baby unit 24 hours a day.
The baby is in an incubator and is attached to various monitors. His breathing is helped using CPAP to assist his breathing.
He cannot suck so his milk is given to him through a tube.
The Grandmas help look after Arun so Jo can spend time with her baby.
Sanjay takes over after work so Jo can go home and spend time with Arun.
We all find it difficult as only Mums and Dads can visit the special baby unit.

19th August

The day started like most Wednesdays. Shower, dress, feed the cat and put on the kettle for a cup of tea.
The day was about to change when my mobile rang just after eight.
It was my son in law. Hi Sanj how are you I said. I waited for just a brief moment before Sanjay spoke. Jo's at the hospital and her waters have broken.
Normally this statement would give rise to excitement and expectation.
But not today Jo was just twenty eight weeks pregnant this was far to early.
Don't worry I managed to tell him. We'll be with you as soon as possible.
Our first grandson Arun had arrived six weeks early. He was now a healthy fourteen month old bundle of fun. Due to his early arrival Jo was being monitored closely at the hospital to prevent a similar early delivery.
I got my thoughts together. Catriona my wife was at Tesco's. Get some change for the car park. Hospitals charge a fortune for parking. Plan a route. Check the car is full of petrol.
Catriona returned with the groceries fifteen minutes later. Quickly love get in the car Jo is in hospital and her baby is coming.
We arrived at the hospital ninety minutes later. Remembering directions to the labour ward we took the lift straight to the third floor. Reception told us she had been transferred to a ward. No the baby hadn't been delivered yet.
We took the lift down a floor and felt just a little more relaxed.
Reception said she was with Sanjay and we could go in and see them for a moment.
We were soon in trouble with a nurse for failing to clean our hands with gel.
Jo was in a small ward at the far end of the corridor.
She was on a drip and was wearing a hospital gown. She looked calm and wasn't in labour.
She explained she had been given steroids and the doctor was hoping to delay her delivery for at least a day.
Jo was hungry. So I was dispatched to the Cafe to buy sandwiches and drinks.
We sat and munched our way through lunch. When a nurse discovered us and said we must leave as visiting was restricted.
Seeing that all was in control we gave them cuddles and words or reassurance before leaving and returning home. Clearly nothing would happen for some time.
We were at home and it was four in the afternoon when Sanjay phoned.
Jo had been delivered of a baby boy a short time before.
The baby was alive and had been rushed to the special baby unit.
Our new grandson was twelve weeks early and weighed under three pounds.