C/O 5 Tonacliffe Way
Whitworth
Rochdale
OL12 8SN
United Kingdom

NB: this is a forwarding address for the Pal, we do NOT disclose home addresses

Email Pal

Ella C's Parents/Guardians

Karen

Ella C's Siblings

None

Ella C's Interests

Dancing, singing, drawing, painting, stickers, bubbles, cats, Hello Kitty, Peppa Pig, Minnie Mouse, Barbies/dolls, Disney princess, The Chipmunks films, loves role playing i.e. pretending going shopping, dressing up, having little tea parties with all her dolls.

Ella C's Favourite Colour

Pink

Is Ella C able to read?

No

Is Ella C able to use hands?

Yes

Is Ella C visually/hearing impaired?

No

Does Ella C suffer from any developmental delay?

No

Story written 2010

Ella was diagnosed with Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome at 8 weeks old. This is a rare genetic condition resulting in kidney failure, which meant Ella had to have both her kidneys removed and needing dialysis for 11 hours every night.

Ella has spent an awful amount of time in hospital, and due to also having a low immune system, has spent many nights in ICU, HDU, and the renal ward. She has not been away from hospital for longer than 3 weeks this year, so the hospital has defiantly become her second home. Ella’s low immune system has also meant that she hasn’t been able to mix with other children as much as she would love to.

Although Ella is a really happy sociable little girl, this year has defiantly taken its toll on her. She sometimes has little energy and can get frustrated as her body won’t do as she wants it to. She is small for her age and doesn’t look like a 3 year old and although she can’t walk she gets about bum shuffling when not connected to a machine which brings a smile to the people she passes on the ward.

Update 8th April 2012

Ella is back in hospital again with the same symptoms as the last few admissions - very bad tummy pain and sickness. I’m hoping iv pain relief works better but we need to find one that works better because they said they can’t give morphine as it will make things worse (can apparently make you constipated).

Update 3rd January 2012

The operation Ella was due to have in October that got cancelled (due to her having a cough) is at present no longer required. She was to have her para thyroids removed as they were over active and causing all calcium to leak out of her bones. This was making her bones spongy and weak and so leaving her with bone disease and unable to walk. However, bloods taken since October have shown her pth levels drop from 2500 to 150 (this is still not a normal level as it should be below 50, but it is a huge improvement on what it was), and i am noticing the difference as Ella seems to have more strength in her legs and is always asking to be stood up. Although we still have to hold onto her, this is a massive improvement as she couldn’t do it before and would cry if we tried to get her to do it, so I’m hoping this continues. 

A huge thank you for what you do. This is an amazing charity! Mornings can be quite stressful in our house with medicines and dressing changes, so when the post gets delivered my daughter gets so excited and soon forgets the trauma of sticky dressings and yucky medicines. I have often had to say to Ella to have the medicines quickly and then the post man will be here!

Update 5th March 2011

Ella’s operation went ok but unfortunately we can’t go home today as she now needs i.v. antibiotics because she had a high temperature, so we’re waiting on blood results. 

Update 1st March 2011

Ella is having another operation on Friday to have a pd catheter fitted so hopefully when tested in a couple of weeks time we can go back to having dialysis done at home rather than in hospital. There’s no guarantees as her peritoneum was damaged but fingers crossed it has now healed and we can do dialysis at home as Ella has spent way too much time in hospital!

Update 14th January 2011

Ella has now been moved to the ward after spending a week on a ventilator in ICU. MRI and CT scans have shown little bleeds on the brain and sign of a stroke down to a condition called PRES (posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome). We have to be patient as recovery will be a long slow process and we’re not sure by how much.

Today was good day though, she’s moving arms and legs a bit more and her eyes are focusing/following a little better. She also blew a kiss to her favourite nurse and gave her daddy a high five.

Update 8th January 2011

Please could everyone pray for my little girl Ella. She’s on a ventilator in ICU. MRI and CT scans have shown bleeds on brain. I just want her to get better so I can give her a huge hug. I’m missing my cuddles and need them more than ever.

Update 3rd December 2010

Ella had her kidney transplant in September, but sadly the transplant failed and Ella was only allowed home on the 2nd of December.