At this new hospital, I get to eat all kinds of new things. If I'm here on Saturday I'll even get some chips!
The nurses are very friendly here. I even met one who lived near Brisbane for a while with her aunty and uncle. That was pretty amazing.
Tomorrow I can't eat or drink anything until 12:00 because that's when my operation is. Everyone is hoping that goes well. I'm sure it will.
I will have some stitches in for a couple of weeks afterwards, so no baths or swimming for a while. I'll let you know as soon as I can that everything is all right.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
I've moved
Now I'm over at the Amsterdamerstrasse hospital, still in Cologne, but more towards the middle of the city. Tomorrow I will have my operation here to take the catheter out.
Mama and I took a taxi over to the hospital, which was a bit funny after the last transfer being in an ambulance. But I thought it was all fun to have a change of scenery. I even didn't cry when the nurse came in to take my blood pressure here!
Our room is a bit smaller here, but I still have my own room at least.
Mama and I took a taxi over to the hospital, which was a bit funny after the last transfer being in an ambulance. But I thought it was all fun to have a change of scenery. I even didn't cry when the nurse came in to take my blood pressure here!
Our room is a bit smaller here, but I still have my own room at least.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
All tubes out
This morning they removed the line that goes into my neck. This means I am no longer connected to any machines or tubes. The doctor was very quick and removing all the bandages didn't hurt too much.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) I am going to the Amsterdamstrasse hospital here in Cologne for my operation on Thursday. Then, I will probably be able to go home from there on Friday.
I had a good sleep last night - for the first time in a few days - so mama is feeling a little fresher, which is good.
The doctors say I might still be a little contagious, so I can't meet any of my little friends yet, or go to my kindy where I have been having playgroup. Soon I hope they will say I am all clear, so that I can see my good friends again.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) I am going to the Amsterdamstrasse hospital here in Cologne for my operation on Thursday. Then, I will probably be able to go home from there on Friday.
I had a good sleep last night - for the first time in a few days - so mama is feeling a little fresher, which is good.
The doctors say I might still be a little contagious, so I can't meet any of my little friends yet, or go to my kindy where I have been having playgroup. Soon I hope they will say I am all clear, so that I can see my good friends again.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Follow up
My operation is now confirmed for Thursday, but the even better news is that I might even be able to go home on Friday. I'll let you know!
The doctor said today that once I am out, I will have to come in the next week, the week after, 6 weeks later, 3 months later, then every year until I am 18. There are some possible complications they will need to check on each time. Not sure if it means we'll be taking a holiday to Germany every year - I don't think mama and dada would mind that too much though.
Today I ran around a bit, but it was a little too much. I hurt my tummy just a bit and then I had to take it easy for the rest of the day. I like going down on the ground to play, especially with my new, little pink car.
Noni taught me how to say I "spit the dummy". I thought this was a very funny thing to say. Maybe she says I do that because every time a nurse comes in, I do spit it.
The doctor said today that once I am out, I will have to come in the next week, the week after, 6 weeks later, 3 months later, then every year until I am 18. There are some possible complications they will need to check on each time. Not sure if it means we'll be taking a holiday to Germany every year - I don't think mama and dada would mind that too much though.
Today I ran around a bit, but it was a little too much. I hurt my tummy just a bit and then I had to take it easy for the rest of the day. I like going down on the ground to play, especially with my new, little pink car.
Noni taught me how to say I "spit the dummy". I thought this was a very funny thing to say. Maybe she says I do that because every time a nurse comes in, I do spit it.
Operation scheduled
I am going to get the tube out of my tummy on Thursday now. We have to do it at another hospital in Cologne unfortunately (due to the doctors' strike), so I will be transferred there for 1 day on Wednesday, then back here to the Uni-Kinderklinik late on Thursday.
No word on when I will get out of hospital, but maybe it will be early next week now.
Nana, Noni and Anna have all visited me today. Dada is back at work, but will be visiting me every evening, as soon as he can. I'm moving around more and more - even starting to climb things!
No word on when I will get out of hospital, but maybe it will be early next week now.
Nana, Noni and Anna have all visited me today. Dada is back at work, but will be visiting me every evening, as soon as he can. I'm moving around more and more - even starting to climb things!
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Walking around
Well, it wasn't as exciting as walking for the very first time - about two years ago now - but walking for the first time in about 2 weeks was pretty fun today.
Everyone was hovering around me as I did it - I was a bit wobbly - but I didn't mind as I went for a little run, still connected to my drip. Gram's dad Brad told me about how he had gone for a run through intensive care when he was a kid, so I thought I'd follow in his footsteps - although it wasn't quite as exciting as that.
Nana and Noni visited me again today and it was great, because I could really play a lot. We played Snap with Bob the Builder cards. This was a game I played a lot with Granny Bob and Grandad and I liked it a lot. I think Noni cheats a bit though - and Dada definitely does.
My face is very puffy from all the fluid going into me, so I look a bit weird I think. Hopefully that will pass.
And for those who missed what I have - it's acute renal failure (kidney failure), specifically Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). We should know by the end of this week what the long-term effects are, but I'm certainly a chance to be out of hospital and back home in Bonn by then. I've been asking to go home, especially since Noni has started promising me lots of icecream and chocolate back there. I'm not sure what Nana thinks of that, but I don't think she'll stop me either.
Tomorrow I should hear from the doctors what will happen for the rest of the week.
Everyone was hovering around me as I did it - I was a bit wobbly - but I didn't mind as I went for a little run, still connected to my drip. Gram's dad Brad told me about how he had gone for a run through intensive care when he was a kid, so I thought I'd follow in his footsteps - although it wasn't quite as exciting as that.
Nana and Noni visited me again today and it was great, because I could really play a lot. We played Snap with Bob the Builder cards. This was a game I played a lot with Granny Bob and Grandad and I liked it a lot. I think Noni cheats a bit though - and Dada definitely does.
My face is very puffy from all the fluid going into me, so I look a bit weird I think. Hopefully that will pass.
And for those who missed what I have - it's acute renal failure (kidney failure), specifically Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). We should know by the end of this week what the long-term effects are, but I'm certainly a chance to be out of hospital and back home in Bonn by then. I've been asking to go home, especially since Noni has started promising me lots of icecream and chocolate back there. I'm not sure what Nana thinks of that, but I don't think she'll stop me either.
Tomorrow I should hear from the doctors what will happen for the rest of the week.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Nurses and doctors scare me
My days are getting better, but at the moment I am terribly scared when the doctors and nurses come in still. I can't stop crying until they leave. I hope I can go home soon.
I am starting to get back to normal in terms of sleeping. Today I only slept for a couple of hours during the day and went to sleep around 9:30 at night. That is more like the normal me.
Tonight too, dada carried me outside for a little while to smell the fresh air and see the rain. It has been cold and rainy the whole time I have been sick. The week before I got sick it was 25 degrees and sunny every day.
Anna came to visit me today. We watched the German puppet DVD she bought me. I have basically been watching this non-stop for 3 days, but I keep asking for more and more! Anna likes watching it too. She brought a nice Pippi Longstocking book for me too and some presents for mama and dada. She's coming again on Monday and that'll be great.
My face has gotten really puffy because there is now more fluid going into me than coming out. But today my haemoglobin level went up from 5.7 to 6.0 - (at 5.0 you need a blood transfusion), so soon they should be able to stop the drips, which would be great for me.
But even better will be when I stop seeing doctors and nurses and I can go home.
No word yet on when my operation will be. I'll let you know.
I am starting to get back to normal in terms of sleeping. Today I only slept for a couple of hours during the day and went to sleep around 9:30 at night. That is more like the normal me.
Tonight too, dada carried me outside for a little while to smell the fresh air and see the rain. It has been cold and rainy the whole time I have been sick. The week before I got sick it was 25 degrees and sunny every day.
Anna came to visit me today. We watched the German puppet DVD she bought me. I have basically been watching this non-stop for 3 days, but I keep asking for more and more! Anna likes watching it too. She brought a nice Pippi Longstocking book for me too and some presents for mama and dada. She's coming again on Monday and that'll be great.
My face has gotten really puffy because there is now more fluid going into me than coming out. But today my haemoglobin level went up from 5.7 to 6.0 - (at 5.0 you need a blood transfusion), so soon they should be able to stop the drips, which would be great for me.
But even better will be when I stop seeing doctors and nurses and I can go home.
No word yet on when my operation will be. I'll let you know.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Moving around a bit
As you know, most of the time I have been too sick to move about. Even sitting up has been a bit too much. But today I managed to crawl my way down to the end of the bed - a bit of an adventure!
I had lots of "carbs" today, courtesy Noni and Nana. Penne, "star" pasta, mashed potato. The doctors say to minimise fat and protein, so to make up for that Nana, Noni and Dada have been going to the local pub to eat rich, German food. I imagine Mama is pretty jealous, but she doesn't show it. She's a real toughie too.
I am very scared of anyone in a white coat now. After all the needles, pinpricks and stuff like that, every time one appears - even just to talk - I burst into tears and cry until they leave. So, if you come to visit me in Bonn soon, please don't wear white clothing.
Speaking of visiting, I said today that my Opa Ross should come and visit me in Bonn. I think he would like to have a schnitzel and beer at the pub. And I would like to play with him when I get home to Bonn. Tonight I said I wanted to go back in the car to Bonn with the others, but I think I'll have to stay a bit longer.
I might have my operation to remove the tummy catheter on Monday. I say might, because the doctors are on strike here (except the ones for the kids luckily), so they're not sure yet.
I got some great pictures from my friend Carolyn today. She made me a great picture of a bear. It is so cool and I have it stuck up on the windows here. I had a big smile when I saw it.
I had lots of "carbs" today, courtesy Noni and Nana. Penne, "star" pasta, mashed potato. The doctors say to minimise fat and protein, so to make up for that Nana, Noni and Dada have been going to the local pub to eat rich, German food. I imagine Mama is pretty jealous, but she doesn't show it. She's a real toughie too.
I am very scared of anyone in a white coat now. After all the needles, pinpricks and stuff like that, every time one appears - even just to talk - I burst into tears and cry until they leave. So, if you come to visit me in Bonn soon, please don't wear white clothing.
Speaking of visiting, I said today that my Opa Ross should come and visit me in Bonn. I think he would like to have a schnitzel and beer at the pub. And I would like to play with him when I get home to Bonn. Tonight I said I wanted to go back in the car to Bonn with the others, but I think I'll have to stay a bit longer.
I might have my operation to remove the tummy catheter on Monday. I say might, because the doctors are on strike here (except the ones for the kids luckily), so they're not sure yet.
I got some great pictures from my friend Carolyn today. She made me a great picture of a bear. It is so cool and I have it stuck up on the windows here. I had a big smile when I saw it.
A clown visited me!
This morning a clown came to my room. I didn't really want her to stay long, but I did want her to leave a balloon for me. And she did! That was fun.
Other than that, I've been eating lots of star pasta, cooked by Nana and Noni. I even sat up for a while today, while mama washed my hair and gave my body a little wash in bed. I don't feel so great sitting up, but it went OK.
I think they will take the catheter out of my tummy on Monday.
Dada found out today that 30 years ago the mortality rate for my disease was 80%! I already felt like a lucky girl having such good treatment here in Germany - but now I feel really, really lucky. Then we think about all the kids outside the rich countries and what they would have to do even now - and that's a bit sad.
I've been watching more movies, but sometimes I think the adults like them more than me.
Other than that, I've been eating lots of star pasta, cooked by Nana and Noni. I even sat up for a while today, while mama washed my hair and gave my body a little wash in bed. I don't feel so great sitting up, but it went OK.
I think they will take the catheter out of my tummy on Monday.
Dada found out today that 30 years ago the mortality rate for my disease was 80%! I already felt like a lucky girl having such good treatment here in Germany - but now I feel really, really lucky. Then we think about all the kids outside the rich countries and what they would have to do even now - and that's a bit sad.
I've been watching more movies, but sometimes I think the adults like them more than me.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
More tubes out
Today they took the catheter out that was measuring my wees. (Sorry if I'm grossing anyone out). That's good, because that thing was annoying me.
Having Nana, Noni, Dada and Mama all in the room with me has become a well-known thing around the hospital. When the nurse walks in, she sees us all and says "same as always". One time, the doctor came in and the Nanni were out having a cup of tea. He said "where are the nanas?" and looked confused.
But he did say everything is almost back to normal, except for my haemoglobin. Early next week they should be able to take the tube out of my tummy. That means I have to go into surgery again. They will make me really sleepy and I wake up hours later, feeling really terrible.
But it means I might even be able to get out of hospital in a week or so. I hope so, because lying around here all day is getting on my nerves a bit. But today My Anna (my babysitter) visited me and we played a good game, throwing a pillow around the room. I had some good laughs today, in between eating or drinking virtually non-stop. Nana and Noni made some good soup - also some yukky soup, but I will see what they bring tomorrow.
Top of the list at the moment is a bucketload of pasta.
Having Nana, Noni, Dada and Mama all in the room with me has become a well-known thing around the hospital. When the nurse walks in, she sees us all and says "same as always". One time, the doctor came in and the Nanni were out having a cup of tea. He said "where are the nanas?" and looked confused.
But he did say everything is almost back to normal, except for my haemoglobin. Early next week they should be able to take the tube out of my tummy. That means I have to go into surgery again. They will make me really sleepy and I wake up hours later, feeling really terrible.
But it means I might even be able to get out of hospital in a week or so. I hope so, because lying around here all day is getting on my nerves a bit. But today My Anna (my babysitter) visited me and we played a good game, throwing a pillow around the room. I had some good laughs today, in between eating or drinking virtually non-stop. Nana and Noni made some good soup - also some yukky soup, but I will see what they bring tomorrow.
Top of the list at the moment is a bucketload of pasta.
Remorseless eating machine
I guess it must be not having eaten for 6 days, or not having kept anything down for about 12, but now I am very hungry. I need soup! Nana and Noni are cooking me some now and bringing it to me.
I haven't seen any doctors yet this morning. Another little 2-year old has been brought into the hospital with the same problem, so we hope he or she gets better soon.
Sorry there has been no photos lately. I think Dada lost our camera somewhere between here and home. Silly dada.
We still don't know exactly what caused me to get sick. Maybe we won't know for 2 more weeks. But it's probably something I ate - and that is actually what they are hoping it is. That's better for me when I am a "little bit bigger girl", as I always like to say.
I haven't seen any doctors yet this morning. Another little 2-year old has been brought into the hospital with the same problem, so we hope he or she gets better soon.
Sorry there has been no photos lately. I think Dada lost our camera somewhere between here and home. Silly dada.
We still don't know exactly what caused me to get sick. Maybe we won't know for 2 more weeks. But it's probably something I ate - and that is actually what they are hoping it is. That's better for me when I am a "little bit bigger girl", as I always like to say.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Eating some more
Hi everybody. I'm keeping my food down now and I've been eating yoghurt, bread and asking for everything under the sun. Today a nurse said "the apple never falls far from the tree" in German and I told mama "I want some apple!".
So my appetite is returning!
I have to admit I'm still a bit cranky and annoyed about things. I can't really sit up and the nurses are really bugging me. Mama and dada thinks this is probably a good sign, rather than being apathetic about everything.
My babysitter Anna is coming to visit me tomorrow, which will be great. I'll tell you how it goes!
So my appetite is returning!
I have to admit I'm still a bit cranky and annoyed about things. I can't really sit up and the nurses are really bugging me. Mama and dada thinks this is probably a good sign, rather than being apathetic about everything.
My babysitter Anna is coming to visit me tomorrow, which will be great. I'll tell you how it goes!
I ate some food
This morning I ate a little bit of yoghurt. It's my first food - except for a tiny bit of bread - since last Friday and hopefully I won't throw it up!
The doctors say that all of the measurements of the bad things in my blood and my tummy are going in the right directions. So that's good. I managed a couple more smiles today when I saw some more presents I got from my Zia. She's very nice.
Nana and Noni are helping me too. Nana likes it when Dada drives 160 km/h on the autobahn between Bonn and Cologne - she says it's like a bullet train. Noni likes it too I think - sometimes she even keeps her eyes open while we're driving!
Last night I said I wanted to eat some sushi. The doctor says usually the first thing the kids want is chips, but mama didn't say I'd already asked for fish and chips - I think so I would seem a bit more special?!
I've lost a little bit of weight since I was in Perth. Over half a kilo. But I think it'll be OK.
I'm still sleeping a lot and I spend all my time lying down. I don't feel great, but definitely better than on the weekend.
Zia send me a movie called Heidi that I watched today. I think Mum and Dad were a bit embarrassed by this movie because whenever the nurse would walk in, the people in the movie would either be yodelling, running around in lederhosen or doing that Bavarian knee-slapping dance. But I liked it - that's what Germans do all the time, isn't it?
I'll tell you how my eating goes later tonight. Love to everyone!
The doctors say that all of the measurements of the bad things in my blood and my tummy are going in the right directions. So that's good. I managed a couple more smiles today when I saw some more presents I got from my Zia. She's very nice.
Nana and Noni are helping me too. Nana likes it when Dada drives 160 km/h on the autobahn between Bonn and Cologne - she says it's like a bullet train. Noni likes it too I think - sometimes she even keeps her eyes open while we're driving!
Last night I said I wanted to eat some sushi. The doctor says usually the first thing the kids want is chips, but mama didn't say I'd already asked for fish and chips - I think so I would seem a bit more special?!
I've lost a little bit of weight since I was in Perth. Over half a kilo. But I think it'll be OK.
I'm still sleeping a lot and I spend all my time lying down. I don't feel great, but definitely better than on the weekend.
Zia send me a movie called Heidi that I watched today. I think Mum and Dad were a bit embarrassed by this movie because whenever the nurse would walk in, the people in the movie would either be yodelling, running around in lederhosen or doing that Bavarian knee-slapping dance. But I liked it - that's what Germans do all the time, isn't it?
I'll tell you how my eating goes later tonight. Love to everyone!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
This afternoon I slept
Well, most of this afternoon I just rested. I listened to my Noni read a nice story about rainbows that my friends Jane, Paul and Tom had sent me from Australia. I got some nice presents from lots of my other friends, best flayers and family in Perth. Then I watched a little bit of Hairy McLary. Most of the time I just slept though.
I'm a bit tired from all the action of the last few days. Today was the first day that nobody put any needles in me for a while, although I still get some little pricks on my finger for blood.
I still can't eat any food and I just have little sips of water. These still make me throw up, but the nice doctor I met in intensive care says this is understandable and that mama and dada shouldn't worry too much.
One of the head doctors, who was a lot older than the others, said that my urea levels were almost the highest he had ever seen when I came to the hospital. We think that must be why everyone made such a fuss of me when I first came in. One doctor even said "wow" when he saw my chart - mama didn't like him.
Mama is doing really well, despite being a bit stressed. Last night, every time she went to sleep either I would wake up wanting water, or a machine would go "BING!" or a nurse would come in. I hope tonight will be a bit better for us.
I'm off dialysis now and the doctors are still happy with how much wee I am doing. So that's good. I'm still hooked up to a couple of drips and a catheter to catch my wee. It's annoying, but I don't usually try to rip them off - unlike my respirator and the tube up my nose that I had after my operation. I tore them out and the nurses said "yay" because it showed I was being feisty.
Dada says most of the signs are positive, but there's still a long way to go and I have to keep being his "little toughie". I think it will help now that I can have full days of relaxing a bit more.
I'm a bit tired from all the action of the last few days. Today was the first day that nobody put any needles in me for a while, although I still get some little pricks on my finger for blood.
I still can't eat any food and I just have little sips of water. These still make me throw up, but the nice doctor I met in intensive care says this is understandable and that mama and dada shouldn't worry too much.
One of the head doctors, who was a lot older than the others, said that my urea levels were almost the highest he had ever seen when I came to the hospital. We think that must be why everyone made such a fuss of me when I first came in. One doctor even said "wow" when he saw my chart - mama didn't like him.
Mama is doing really well, despite being a bit stressed. Last night, every time she went to sleep either I would wake up wanting water, or a machine would go "BING!" or a nurse would come in. I hope tonight will be a bit better for us.
I'm off dialysis now and the doctors are still happy with how much wee I am doing. So that's good. I'm still hooked up to a couple of drips and a catheter to catch my wee. It's annoying, but I don't usually try to rip them off - unlike my respirator and the tube up my nose that I had after my operation. I tore them out and the nurses said "yay" because it showed I was being feisty.
Dada says most of the signs are positive, but there's still a long way to go and I have to keep being his "little toughie". I think it will help now that I can have full days of relaxing a bit more.
Feeling a bit better
Lots of people have been ringing and emailing mama and dada. They tell me about all the nice messages and that makes me feel better.
One doctor said today that one of the measurements of how sick I am has gone down by 2/3rds since I got into hospital. He also said they will be able to stop the dialysis later today. I think they have to leave this big tube in my tummy for a bit longer, just in case, but the good part of that is that I will have a nice scar on my tummy, just like mum. It's just next to my belly button.
They're still trying to work out why I got sick, but they think it was from E Coli. The doctor says I should never eat at McDonald's again - mama told him I never have anyway, but now we definitely won't! Anyway, the hunt continues for the dodgy food or whatever it was that made my tummy sick.
Speaking of food, I said yesterday that I would like to go back to Australia for a while for some fish and chips. I can't really eat anything at the moment. I want to drink water all the time, but unfortunately it keeps making me vomit. But the doctors keep me going through the stuff in those annoying tubes I'm connected to.
My tummy hurts a bit, but otherwise my body doesn't hurt too much. But I am very tired and I sleep a lot.
Dada thinks I am a little bit better today too. I am a little bit less irritable and I smiled when I saw some of the cards I got from Greatie, Opa Ross, Aunty Lee, Uncle Paul and Alexander. Thanks everyone!
One doctor said today that one of the measurements of how sick I am has gone down by 2/3rds since I got into hospital. He also said they will be able to stop the dialysis later today. I think they have to leave this big tube in my tummy for a bit longer, just in case, but the good part of that is that I will have a nice scar on my tummy, just like mum. It's just next to my belly button.
They're still trying to work out why I got sick, but they think it was from E Coli. The doctor says I should never eat at McDonald's again - mama told him I never have anyway, but now we definitely won't! Anyway, the hunt continues for the dodgy food or whatever it was that made my tummy sick.
Speaking of food, I said yesterday that I would like to go back to Australia for a while for some fish and chips. I can't really eat anything at the moment. I want to drink water all the time, but unfortunately it keeps making me vomit. But the doctors keep me going through the stuff in those annoying tubes I'm connected to.
My tummy hurts a bit, but otherwise my body doesn't hurt too much. But I am very tired and I sleep a lot.
Dada thinks I am a little bit better today too. I am a little bit less irritable and I smiled when I saw some of the cards I got from Greatie, Opa Ross, Aunty Lee, Uncle Paul and Alexander. Thanks everyone!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Out of intensive care
This morning I got moved out of intensive care and into my own room. No other kids are going to share with me because I'm a little bit contagious. The doctors are trying to find out why I got sick.
I've been awake a lot more today and I have even had a couple of smiles, which mama and dada love to see. But still the nurses bug me a lot with all their blood samples and prodding. It's all a bit boring but tonight I watched a little bit of a Hairy McLary DVD and listened to some books.
Mama is taking great care of me. I really love that I can call her at any time and she is there for me. Dad disappears from time to time to "do things" - like today he went out and brought my Nana and Nonni back. It was nice to see them although I'm not quite well enough to play yet.
The doctors say I am doing very well considering how sick I was. Getting out of intensive care was a good step, but there's still a long way to go.
I've been awake a lot more today and I have even had a couple of smiles, which mama and dada love to see. But still the nurses bug me a lot with all their blood samples and prodding. It's all a bit boring but tonight I watched a little bit of a Hairy McLary DVD and listened to some books.
Mama is taking great care of me. I really love that I can call her at any time and she is there for me. Dad disappears from time to time to "do things" - like today he went out and brought my Nana and Nonni back. It was nice to see them although I'm not quite well enough to play yet.
The doctors say I am doing very well considering how sick I was. Getting out of intensive care was a good step, but there's still a long way to go.
I'm a bit sick
Dada is helping me write this blog entry today, because mama is so tired from taking care of me at the Cologne University Hospital where I am staying for a little while.
Last week, I was feeling really tired and unwell. I was vomiting a lot and didn't want to get out of bed. On Friday night, I got even worse so mama and dada took me to the St-Marien Hospital in Bonn. The nice doctors there said I was very, very sick and started doing all sorts of strange things, like getting my blood out. Unfortunately, I had so little blood they spent ages trying to find some. I kept saying "I want to get off" and "I want to go home", but mama said I would have to do what the doctors said so I could get better.
One time they put some nice stuff in my drip. Mama thinks it made me a bit happy because I said "I'm making baskets with my eyes" and "I'm doing a bum spray".
Eventually, they said I have Hemolytic uremic syndrome, which means my kidneys weren't working at all. That was why I was feeling so sick. It is a complication from a case of gastroenteritis. I think dada was happier to at least know what the problem was. But he and mama were a bit anxious when they were told it is a serious illness and needed to be treated urgently.
So, off I went to the Cologne Kinderklinik, where they specialise in this kind of thing. I was pretty much "out of it" by then and I slept in the ambulance ride. I had a blood transfusion and then an operation under general anaesthetic, so that they could do dialysis on me. This is so all the bad stuff that's built up in my tummy will get sucked out.
Because I am so sick, the nice doctors and nurses here said I had to get better slowly, because if it happens too quick, I could get even sicker. So, I will be here for at least 2-3 weeks, maybe more. But I think I will be out of intensive care at least later today. Yesterday I woke up a bit to have a drink of water and say hello to my Zio Pete, who came all the way from England to visit me just for 1 day. What a nice Zio! But most of the day I slept while mama, dada and Zio took turns sitting next to me.
Now dada is back at our house in Bonn making a nice, big mess so that my Nana and Noni (that's dada's mama and mama's mama) feel special when they arrive from Australia later in the day. It's nice of them to come to visit me and I think it will make me feel much better. And mama is sleeping in the visitor's room in the Kinderklinik on a couch so that if I call out for her in the night, a nurse will be able to come and get her.
I can tell more than ever right now that mama and dada love me very much. Dada calls me "a little toughie" and says I'm going to get better. I know that all my friends and family want me to get better too and it's nice to know that.
Last week, I was feeling really tired and unwell. I was vomiting a lot and didn't want to get out of bed. On Friday night, I got even worse so mama and dada took me to the St-Marien Hospital in Bonn. The nice doctors there said I was very, very sick and started doing all sorts of strange things, like getting my blood out. Unfortunately, I had so little blood they spent ages trying to find some. I kept saying "I want to get off" and "I want to go home", but mama said I would have to do what the doctors said so I could get better.
One time they put some nice stuff in my drip. Mama thinks it made me a bit happy because I said "I'm making baskets with my eyes" and "I'm doing a bum spray".
Eventually, they said I have Hemolytic uremic syndrome, which means my kidneys weren't working at all. That was why I was feeling so sick. It is a complication from a case of gastroenteritis. I think dada was happier to at least know what the problem was. But he and mama were a bit anxious when they were told it is a serious illness and needed to be treated urgently.
So, off I went to the Cologne Kinderklinik, where they specialise in this kind of thing. I was pretty much "out of it" by then and I slept in the ambulance ride. I had a blood transfusion and then an operation under general anaesthetic, so that they could do dialysis on me. This is so all the bad stuff that's built up in my tummy will get sucked out.
Because I am so sick, the nice doctors and nurses here said I had to get better slowly, because if it happens too quick, I could get even sicker. So, I will be here for at least 2-3 weeks, maybe more. But I think I will be out of intensive care at least later today. Yesterday I woke up a bit to have a drink of water and say hello to my Zio Pete, who came all the way from England to visit me just for 1 day. What a nice Zio! But most of the day I slept while mama, dada and Zio took turns sitting next to me.
Now dada is back at our house in Bonn making a nice, big mess so that my Nana and Noni (that's dada's mama and mama's mama) feel special when they arrive from Australia later in the day. It's nice of them to come to visit me and I think it will make me feel much better. And mama is sleeping in the visitor's room in the Kinderklinik on a couch so that if I call out for her in the night, a nurse will be able to come and get her.
I can tell more than ever right now that mama and dada love me very much. Dada calls me "a little toughie" and says I'm going to get better. I know that all my friends and family want me to get better too and it's nice to know that.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Happy Birthday Emilia
Well, I have been having a grand old time in Bonn these past few days. First of all my very good friend Emilia had her 3rd birthday party. You can see her here in her party hat. We had a great time at her house last Friday, eating yummy food and playing on her terrace.
Fun at the fireworks display
On Saturday night we went to see "Rhine in Flames", a fireworks display on, you guessed it, the Rhine. It was much better than this picture makes it look, we had a really great time there, all 3 of us cosied up on a blanket at 11pm, and there were some pretty cool fireworks.
Bye Julia and Ellie
Yeseterday was a sad day because I had to say goodbye to the very first friends I made in Bonn, Julia and Ellie. They are moving back to America with their Mama and Dada. We are going to miss them here.
My new bike
And then, can you believe it, I got a new bike! Here I am checking out the features. It has a basket and a bell and a handle at the back so that Mama can push me when I am tired. I can ride it by myself already though. Today I even rode it to Carolyn's house. (Well, we rode it to the bus stop and took it on the bus there, but it was a long way!)
Friday, May 05, 2006
Back in Bonn
Hello everyone! I'm back in Bonn! The blog is coming to you from Germany again.
Here I am, reunited with Carolyn and very happy about it too. We missed each other a lot, and we've been making up for lost time.
There's a few things I forgot to tell you about my trip in Australia though, so I'll fill you in on them now.
Here I am, reunited with Carolyn and very happy about it too. We missed each other a lot, and we've been making up for lost time.
There's a few things I forgot to tell you about my trip in Australia though, so I'll fill you in on them now.
Easter cake
We spent Easter in Perth and the Easter Bunny came to visit me at lots of houses! Alexander and I had an easter egg hunt at his house, and Aunty Lee also made us this special Easter cake. It was chocolate cake decorated with lollies and filled with eggs. It doesn't get much better than that!
Granddad at beach
Just before we left we stayed a few nights at some beach chalets in Cottesloe, with Granddad and Granny Bob. It was so much fun, being right across the road from the beach and near all the yummy cafes and restaurants. (Our place was right next door to an icecream shop, how good is that?!?) Here I am with Granddad, playing in the sand.
Dubai
On our way home we stopped in Dubai for two nights. Actually, Dada only came for one night, but that is a long story that I'm sure he'd prefer me not to mention. Something about him leaving his passport somwhere...
Anyway, Mama and I had fun on the plane and at the hotel until he came to meet us. Then we went to the Mall of the Emirates, a shopping centre that has a ski slope inside it! I was a bit little to go in, but we found a fun indoor playground for me and Dada to amuse ourselves in while Mama went shopping. After we took a little tour in a taxi to see the sights.
The next morning it was time to fly back to Bonn.
Anyway, Mama and I had fun on the plane and at the hotel until he came to meet us. Then we went to the Mall of the Emirates, a shopping centre that has a ski slope inside it! I was a bit little to go in, but we found a fun indoor playground for me and Dada to amuse ourselves in while Mama went shopping. After we took a little tour in a taxi to see the sights.
The next morning it was time to fly back to Bonn.
Spring has sprung
And that's it! Now our trip is over and we're back in Bonn at the perfect time - Spring! The blossoms are all in bloom, the trees are green, the tables in the cafes have been moved outside, everyone is smiling and...the sun is even out! :-)
It's nice to be home.
It's nice to be home.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)