Hi there,

 

As you may be aware, our family has had a tough time of late, with our little Eleanor Juliet Cooper arriving in a hurry on 18 October at 27 weeks gestation (ie 13 weeks earlier than her 17 Jan due date). She weighed only 1.075kg when born, dropped as low as 785g and has now spent the first 13 weeks of her life in the neonatal intensive care unit (Butterfly Ward) at the Royal Children's Hospital.

 

It's hard to fully describe the journey she has been on and capture the rollercoaster of emotions as we have watched her overcome breathing and feeding issues, infections, lumbar punctures, blood transfusions, x-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, a multitude of electrolyte replacements, and more needles and blood tests then most of us have had in our lives.  Thankfully Eleanor has maintained her feisty nature (as the nurses politely describe it) against all these challenges and continued to thrive. 

 

Eleanor's diagnosis with an extremely rare genetic issue, will also mean that our relationship with the RCH will be ongoing. In the short term, we will remain in Butterfly Ward over the coming weeks until she is ready to move to the general wards where she will likely remain for weeks or months until she is ready to come home. In the longer term, we expect we will need and rely on RCH's  hospital in the home programs to assist us with Eleanor's care. 

 

And so as a small mark of thanks to our new second home at RCH and to the numerous doctors, nurses and other staff we have relied on to save, diagnose, support, feed, change, cuddle and cherish our little girl, I have decided to take part in Run for the Kids and raising money for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

 

Please support my efforts by making a secure online donation and a message of support.

 

Click 'Donate Now' to make a secure online donation and help me reach my target. 

 

Thanks so much for your support!