2nd July - Slowly coming back to us!

Francesca was pretty much out of it the whole night and I was grateful for that. There were about half a dozen times when there was breakthrough pain. Franny would attempt to lift her legs and cry out in wild pain. The nurses were great, immediately increasing her valium and she would drift off again. She held Scarlett her bear and Bruno her dog the whole time. At 10.30am Franny was cohesive and actually managed a smile! I read her some of the lovely messages from our guestbook which comforted her. The new shift began and Franny thought we were joking when her new nurse introduced herself as 'Katie Hamburger" (yes it's true!).

We were transferred out of ICU to a huge room on the 12th floor. It is bright and airy with huge windows and views of Forrest Park. Dr Park stopped by and reassured us that Franny would get a bit stronger every day. At 4pm we watched a movie, Hotel for Dogs, which Franny enjoyed. Unfortunately, it was to be the calm before the storm.

Franny's right hand had started swelling and it was decided that her IV line should be moved. Four attempts followed, various nurses all trying unsuccessfully to get a new line in on her left arm and leg. It was excruciatingly painful for Francesca, she was extremely distressed. Eventually the the 'Flying Doctors' arrived and got a line in on her left hand. The whole episode had lasted more than two hours though and Franny had been without her valium and fentanyl all that time. It was so difficult to see Franny in such pain and everyone was so relieved to see her settled again at 9pm and drifting off back to sleep. Sweet dreams Francesca, you have been so brave.

Paola and Eamonn, in the midst of all this trauma, your special envoy Jane arrived, totally unannounced and found us in our darkest hour. Divine intervention! She stayed with us for about an hour and will be back soon.