Tales from a NICU journal, week eleven of thirteen
3rd September 2024
Another Good Couple of Weeks for Benjamin Bunny
The past couple of weeks have been another step forward for Benjamin Bunny! The focus has remained on weaning him off the CPAP breathing support. He is now managing two 2-hour sessions per day, and he's tolerating it really well. Every 48 hours, the time increases by 15 minutes—though it sometimes feels painfully slow, we’re reassured that this is a tried and tested method by the respiratory team.
Making Progress with Pip the Physio
Pip, the wonderful physio I mentioned last time, continues to be amazing. She has arranged for us to have a large mat in our cot space so we can get Benjamin down when he is off the CPAP, giving us precious moments of cuddles and playtime.
Benjamin loves it, and so do we—but no one enjoys it more than Esme! She is completely in her element, happily playing with him for the full two hours, taking charge of changing his nappies and picking out outfits. It’s been heartwarming to see their bond grow.
A Special Day Out Before School Begins
With Esme about to start school, we wanted to spend some special time with her before the big transition. We made the difficult decision to leave Benjamin for the day, reassured by the fact that a lovely nurse would be there to give him plenty of cuddles in our absence.
After a quick Google search, we discovered that the Happy Place Festival was happening at Tatton Park. I've wanted to go for years, so we jumped at the chance, bought some tickets, and drove down to Cheshire. It turned out to be the perfect antidote—sunshine, fresh air, yoga, mindfulness, and quality time together. Esme had a wonderful time, and I know this will be a core memory of our time in Manchester.
Esme’s First Day of School
Esme finally started school, and we were beyond proud of her. She was incredibly brave despite all the changes happening around her. I had always imagined this moment as a calm, stable time at home, but life had other plans. Still, it was another lesson in how resilient children truly are.
A Weekend of Joy
Logistically, these past few weeks have been a challenge, juggling Esme’s school routine alongside everything else. But this weekend brought a special highlight—we got to meet our beautiful nephew, Freddy! It was such a lovely moment to share as a family. We also welcomed our nephew Freddy, which was such happy news for our family. Jack and Martha lived in Manchester at the time, so we could go and visit—it was a lovely break from the hospital.
Fingers crossed that things keep moving in the right direction. Slow and steady wins the race.
