Grace's family

Today marks 3 months, that our beautiful girl was admitted into the Peadiatric Intensive Care Unit in the RVH. These 3 months have been very stressful and tiring, Grace has underwent numerous scans and heart surgery. At first no one knew what Grace had, the doctors described her as a 'little puzzle' because she suddenly went from being such an energetic fun loving child to a very sick child in the space of a few days.

Grace has a rare aggressive complex lymphatic anomaly that will effect her for the rest of her life. At this moment in time there is no cure for such lymphatic malfromations, but we are hopeful for her future and pray that one day there may be. Many patients suffer as due to the rarity of these diseases, doctors don't always know how best to treat them. At the beginning we were told to prepare for the worst, as she was needing alot of support from different medications and from the ventilator which was helping her breath. From that day, Grace has fought along with the doctors and nurses to save her life, which they are continuing to do. We are forever grateful for the PICU team, and how much care and love they have shown Grace. Grace has shown me how much determination and resilience a 4 year old can have, and we watch her everyday with awe and amazement at how she can wake up everyday and try to still make others smile and laugh.

As parents with another young child at home, Catherine and I have spent our time, taking in turns to be by Grace's bed side.

This has been a life changing experience and put added financial stress to our situation as we have been unable to work throughout this sickness. More financial stress will be added because of the care and support Grace will need when she returns home.

We have been greatly supported by family and friends and cherish the love and support they have given us. This isn't a position that we have ever wanted to be in, having to ask the wider community for support. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this and who have kindly donated. This means so much to our little family as we come to terms with our new life.