A NEW YEAR AWAITS US!

I have removed the new year card because it was clashing with the music player in the sidebar (apologies for that, Freebird!).

FAITH DIES ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

From the Daily Mail……..

Laura and Aled Williams had always known it was going to be a difficult Christmas. Far from family and friends, and with their surviving conjoined twin, Faith, lying in intensive care, this was neither the time nor the place for celebrating.

But even they couldn’t have predicted just how bleak it would turn out to be. For on Christmas Day afternoon, as families everywhere were opening presents and preparing lunch, Aled and Laura were saying goodbye to Faith. 

The following day, Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital would announce that she had died from progressive organ failure.

Her death, at just 29 days old, marked the end of a journey that few among us would be prepared to take. 

Over the course of the past five weeks recording their story for The Mail on Sunday, I have witnessed this young couple’s quiet trepidation at the uncertainties that lay ahead and their joy at the arrival of Faith and Hope, the Siamese twins doctors said would never be born.

I have seen their grief at the loss of Hope and been inspired by their fortitude as Faith grew weaker by the day, then by the hour, until the moment that everyone feared finally arrived. That it should come on Christmas Day seemed particularly cruel.

Recalling the tragic turn of events, her face still white at the memory, Laura said: ‘On Christmas morning we got a call from the consultant asking us to come over to the hospital. 

We were on our way anyway. We thought it was just going to be the normal update from overnight. They didn’t say anything was wrong but when we got there, the doctor took us into a side room with two nurses.

‘They said Faith was going, that her body was shutting down and her heart was only going because of all the drugs she was on. They told us that it was time to turn off the machines and explained the different ways it could be done, and I just started crying.’

As always during this ordeal, the medical staff were extraordinarily kind. Aled said: ‘They moved us into a separate room and then the nurses washed her hair, took all her pipes and tubes out and dressed her in a little stripy pink outfit. 

‘They put a pink woolly hat on her and wrapped her in the pink blanket we’d bought. Then they switched off the machine and passed her to Laura.’

The time was 12.38pm. ‘I just held her and looked at her and told her how much I loved her,’ Laura said. ‘I was a bit worried for Hope because I never held her and so I didn’t know if it was OK to hold Faith but Aled said Hope wouldn’t mind. 

‘I held her hand and I kept thinking she might wake up or move or something. It just felt right, really, holding her. We got to see her how she was in the beginning, before she had all the operations and the tubes.’

It is not the ending they deserved but last night, as Aled and Laura spoke of their loss, there wasn’t a hint of bitterness or self-pity. 

Instead the couple, from Shrewsbury in Shropshire, displayed the same grace and maturity that has sustained them throughout and which belies their tender years.

Aled, a former dustman, met Laura two-and-a-half years ago at a party held by a mutual friend, and they have been together ever since, marrying in a small ceremony in October.

They already had one daughter, Carly, when Laura discovered, last spring, that she was pregnant again. At the first scan, at 12 weeks, she was told she was having Siamese twins.

The doctor advised Laura to terminate the babies, saying that they probably wouldn’t survive beyond two more weeks and warned that if she did not end the pregnancy, Laura might never have more children.

But the couple refused a termination on moral grounds – even though they knew that some would condemn their decision – and on Wednesday, November 26, 18-year-old Laura became the world’s youngest mother of conjoined twins when she gave birth to Faith and Hope at University College Hospital in London.

Conjoined twins occur when the single egg from which identical twins develop fails to divide properly after conception. The proportion who survive birth is somewhere between five and 25 per cent. 

Sadly, as Hope and Faith have shown, there are often insurmountable medical complications in the children who do make it into the world.

When the girls were born they were joined from the breastbone to the top of their navels. They had separate hearts but shared a liver and an emergency separation operation had to be performed, on December 2, at the world-renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital. 

Hope died minutes after separation as her lungs were not strong enough for her to cope on her own. Faith was given a 50–50 chance of survival.

And, for a time, it seemed as though she would make it. Aled and Laura moved into hospital accommodation and spent every day with their daughter, willing her to carry on. 

The public, too, became involved. Hand-knitted hats arrived at the hospital, as did blankets and toys and hundreds of cards from across Britain, Africa, Australia and America. 

Thousands of people joined support groups on the social networking site Facebook, and Aled and Laura dared to feel positive about the future.

But eight days ago, Faith’s kidneys began to fail. Dr Andy Petros, head of the paediatric intensive care unit at Great Ormond Street, explained: ‘On Thursday, December 18, Faith needed a further procedure, but it caused a lot of strain on the kidneys. 

‘On the following Saturday we had to perform another operation on her tummy which left her unavoidably open to infection.

‘Faith was a fighter and she always kept bouncing back but sadly she couldn’t fight the problems with her kidneys and the infection in her tummy at the same time.’

Last Monday, the situation became critical when Faith’s kidneys stopped once more.

Aled explained: ‘The doctor took us into a room and told us they were going to try dialysis. They said they’d tried everything else and that this was the last thing they could do, but that they had never tried it on a baby so small before. They said that it might not work and that if it didn’t, there was nothing more they could do.’

‘It didn’t work,’ Laura added. ‘Her veins were too small and she just couldn’t take it. The doctor told us that she might not pull through the night. I just burst into tears, but there was nothing we could do except wait. On Tuesday, she was still very sick but she was still fighting.

‘Then, on Wednesday, they said there was one more drug they could try which might help her. That night they said she might not make it but they had said that the previous two nights, so we still kept hoping. I didn’t want to go to sleep.

‘Aled called the hospital at midnight and she was still stable. I was up all night expecting phone calls, but there weren’t any.’

While Faith was still alive, neither Aled nor Laura would have given up on their daughter but, deep down, Aled knew the end was on its way. He said: ‘When we went over on Christmas morning and they told us, I don’t think I was as shocked as Laura.

‘Everything they’d been telling us from the last three days up to Christmas was that she was going down and down and down.

‘Her little body was shutting down and it was her way of saying she just couldn’t take any more.

‘She’d had five operations in a month and two infections. It was just too much for her. When they said it was time to switch the machine off, I just thought, “It’s not fair on the poor little thing.” She’d gone through so much, she really had.’

For Aled and Laura it has been a devastating experience. By their own admission they have a modest, straightforward view of the world. Laura left school at 16 and, as well as working on the bins, Aled, 28, previously worked as a car salesman. 

They do not have the benefit of further education or the financial stability of a young professional couple, yet there is something humbling about the certainty and simplicity of their convictions.

From the moment I first met them in Birmingham Women’s Hospital, where Laura was ordered to spend the month before the birth resting, they have maintained an inner strength that has never wavered, even after the trauma that they have endured. Nor do they have any regrets about the decision they made to have the babies.

Laura said: ‘Even after everything that’s happened, I still think we were right. They didn’t die inside me like the first doctor I saw said they would. They got this far.

‘If I had to do it all again I would. I don’t really know how to explain how hard it’s been but I still wouldn’t change anything. And I can still have more children if I want to one day, even though they said it might not happen. Not that I’m thinking about that at the moment.’

Aled added: ‘You make choices in life and we made a choice to give them life. We knew the risks but we gave them a chance and so did everyone who has helped us, from the doctors and nurses to our friends and family who have been such a support.

‘It was only a week for Hope and a month for Faith but they were here and that’s all that matters. And in that month we got to know Faith and to talk to her.

‘We were lucky. Lots of parents don’t even get that. She opened her eyes last week and she moved her head when we talked to her. She was listening. And she most definitely liked to keep everyone on their toes.

‘She did fight really hard. In a way, I don’t think I’ve lost two daughters. It feels like they’re there. I think the religion we have helps, otherwise it would be really hard. But that puts you at ease.

‘We won’t get to hold them again but we will see them again. I feel upset in one way but in another I don’t,  because they’re both back together again, the way they were at the beginning. It’s good that she’s back with her sister. They’re out of harm’s way now.’

Now Aled and Laura must begin the task of putting their life back together with their other daughter Carly, who is 18 months old. They have decided to leave Shrewsbury and make a fresh start on Anglesey.

Aled said: ‘We still don’t really know what to do with ourselves to be honest. We used to have a routine. We’d visit Faith, do a bit of shopping, see Carly, who’s been staying with relatives. There are still a lot of things to sort out, and we’re still not yet sure what’s going to happen. 

‘We will probably have a small cremation ceremony for Faith and Hope next week. We will put them together. That’s how they began and that’s how they’ll be now, back together again.

‘And we also want to say all our thank-yous to the hospital, who have been amazing. Whatever’s happened, Faith and Hope had the best care in the world. We couldn’t have asked for better. 

‘They don’t get paid enough, do they? But then I don’t think there’s anything in the world that could be enough to thank them for everything they’ve done for us. The doctors, nurses, everyone – they’ve been amazing.

‘On Christmas Day they’d even left us a present for Carly and a Christmas card that they’d made us with Faith’s footprints and handprints on it. They’d left it for us on Christmas Eve night.

‘Professor Agostino Pierro, who has been looking after Faith, even came in from his holidays to check on her. He was in Italy when she died but he called up and asked the nurses to pass on his condolences.

‘We want to donate some money to the intensive care unit and to the hospital itself and then we’ll be on our way. We’ll go back to Shrewsbury for a few days before moving.

‘I’ve already been offered a job selling cars. And we’ve still got Carly and she’ll help make it a bit easier.’

It is only in Wales, when the intense emotions of the past month fade away, that Aled and Laura will truly have time to grieve for the two little girls who made such a mark on the world.

Laura said: ‘It is hard, but we’re not going to remember them in a bad way. We’ll remember how they were and how Faith pushed herself to Christmas Day. 

We’re going to make a memory box for both of them and we will put up lots of pictures and cards and maybe make a bench with their names, Hope and Faith, for the garden. And as Carly grows up she’ll see that her sisters tried their best and maybe it will help give her a different outlook on life.’

Aled added: ‘I think we decided on Christmas Day to remember them as they were: not as two babies that died, but two babies who we loved very much and who will always be with us.’

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Sacred and beautiful

Christmas began,
A gift from God’s heart
Bringing blessing to man.
For Christmas is Christ,
Let the truth never dim,
And the lights that are shining
Are shining for him

Jesus, our Saviour, our Lord, our King,
We have little to offer of myrrh or gold,
But Faith and Hope are the gifts we bring,
And Love more precious than wealth untold.

In thy presence, O Jesus, our hearts we bow,
And lowly kneeling we humbly crave
For light and courage and guidance now,
And life eternal beyond the grave.

ECHINACEA.

Just to elaborate on what I said in the comments, here is some info on echinacea and possible side effects: –

What is Echinacea Used For?

    

Echinacea is one of the most widely used herbal remedies out there. It has also been studied widely, so we understand its effects and possible side effects.

Echinacea is most commonly used as an immune system stimulant, to shorten the duration of colds and infections and lessening swollen glands. It is also used externally to treat wounds, because it is a potent antibacterial that keeps germs from attacking healthy cells.

Because it is so widely used, Echinacea is a relatively affordable herb whether purchased in pill form, raw roots or as a tincture or tea.

Potential Echinacea Side Effects

Echinacea is generally regarded as safe for most people to take for a short period of time. It is not, however, recommended for some people, such as:

People who are allergic to ragweed, marigolds or similar plants

People with autoimmune disorders

People with HIV

People on immune-system suppressing drugs

People with white blood cell or collagen disorders

People with tuberculosis

People who are taking steroids should talk to their doctor before starting Echinacea

Many of the diseases mentioned above affect the immune system. Because Echinacea is an immune-system stimulant, it may actually speed the progression of these diseases or make them worse.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are nursing a baby, check with your doctor before taking Echinacea. The effects of the herb on babies and young children have not been well-documented. Therefore, you should also talk to your doctor before giving the herb to a small child.

In addition to people who should avoid taking Echinacea, there are other potential problems associated with the herb, especially if it is taken for a long period of time without interruption.

Especially for people who are taking steroids along with Echinacea, there is a risk of liver problems when the herb is taken for more than eight weeks at a stretch. Other people may find that their immune function actually goes down after taking Echinacea for more than eight weeks, which defeats the purpose of using it.

Most doctors recommend using Echinacea for six to eight weeks at a time, then taking a couple months off before taking another course. Some say that when treating a cold, the best option is to take the herb for three weeks and then take a week off, repeating if necessary through the winter months.

Other Potential Side Effects

These Echinacea side effects are not as common as the ones listed above, and therefore should be reported to your doctor if you experience them:

Stomach upset

Nausea or dizziness

Increase in asthma symptoms

Allergic reactions such as rashes or swelling

Fever

If you have any of these side effects, or anything else that is bothersome or seems unusual, talk to your doctor. You may need to avoid taking Echinacea and try a different treatment.

As with any herb or medication you want to try, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor or an experienced herbalist about your particular situation before starting a course of treatment, particularly if you have any health problems or are taking any prescription medications.

Herbs actually are medicine and they can interact with the over-the-counter and prescription drugs that we take along with them. It is important to understand these potential interactions and other side effects before starting the use of Echinacea so that you know what to look for if you begin to experience side effects.

This may seem like quite a long list of potential problems associated with Echinacea, but the truth is that side effects from taking the herb are quite rare, particularly if you do not fall into one of the categories of people who should not take it at all. With an understanding of the potential problem, you can take the herb with confidence

BAH HUMBUG.

Just been to get my first bit of Christmas shopping………… and returned home to find my husband here, with flu! Daughter already has it! She has been very generously sharing her germs…… she has been sleeping in the lounge, so is here all day! About a month ago she dedicated a whole day to tidying her room, stripped the bed and deposited lots of her possessions on it……. and there they have stayed ever since, giving her a good excuse to stay here night and day!

I burst into tears 30 minutes ago when I came home to find my husband here – and unwell! To make matters worse, we are supposed to be going to see our son’s band in the final of ‘Battle of the Bands’ tonight – but now I have nobody to go with! Sitting in a seedy rock bar all by myself is not something I am prepared to do!

I know that in the big scheme of things, lots of people have their Christmases ruined by flu and we will get over it. But, I am unusually depressed with life in general at the moment: everything is getting me down. Mainly, it’s about my children, of course! 

Christmas (the material side of it, not the religious!) fails to instal excitement in me these day. It would be better if there were people to visit ………. Just about everyone I know seems to be acquiring grandchildren at the moment. Hubby’s brother (his only remaining sibling, apart from the mentally ill sister) has three children, all with partners, plus one grandchild. Their house will be full to bursting over Christmas – no room for us though!

I long for the time when my children were small and Christmas was somehow seen through their eyes, full of excitement. There was hope then too, that their lives would be good……… Oh to have that time back again!

I am supposed to be going to a nativity play out on a farm near Guildford on Saturday. Really, I wanted to go to our club’s Christmas party – but we remembered (just in time to cancel) that we had already booked the nativity play. I do want to go; although I really wanted to go to the party so much too! Now though, I am not sure we will even be able to make the nativity play!

I guess I am just grouchy because I hate knowing that I am most likely going to get ill – and that there is nothing I can do about it! I feel as though my health generally is worse than it has been for ages and that it is going to crumple altogether if I get flu! That probably sounds silly…….. but people do die with flu!

Happy Christmas…..bah humbug!