Treetop House - Sheffield Children's Hospital

Thankfully the traffic was kind to us and we made it up to Sheffield by 10.45am.  Shame that once we found the hospital we got badly stressed trying to find a parking space.   The last thing you need when you are in a state already.

I don't think I will successfully be able to articulate the range of emotions that flooded through us once we were with Rafi's family.   We were so pleased to be with them but at the same time devastated for them.

Once we had pulled ourselves together,  Peter and I were allowed in to the Intensive Care unit to see Rafi.   He is still not awake but is no longer being kept in an induced coma... the medical team are hoping that he will wake up naturally within the next week.    It is an overwhelming experience to see someone you love in this situation, surrounded by machines, wires, drips and all sorts.  He looked so perfect lying there, with his beautiful honey coloured skin.   He is able to breathe on his own now, which is a tremendous step.      We held his hands, stroked his arms and talked to him, hoping that somehow he can hear us.    His sisters are convinced that he repsonds to their voices and I am positive that as I talked to him he did squeeze my hand.

I will not go into all the medical details  but we are all still trying to be very postive about it.    It is going to be a long and difficult journey for all.

I have to say that the facilities for the families of children in the intensive care unit is superb.   Rafi's parents have been staying in the special family suite called "Treetops" They have a bedroom and there is a big kitchen and lounge area overlooking the park.    

This is a picture of the balcony of "Treetops" that I tooks with my phone so it is not ideal, but you might just be able to see Pudsey Bear on the railings.

We spent the whole day at the hospital and then drove back to the family house in Worksop with various other family members.

I must add here that Rafi's Mum is fellow blipper Jackie18
It is she who introduced me to the world of blip.
I showed Jackie the wonderful support and comments that you blippers have been posting on my recent blips.   She was overwhelmed by your kindness.    Amazingly, to help her focus on things in this difficult time she has been taking a photo every day.   At some point in the future she will be back on blip to tell the story of this traumatic journey.