Back to Lancaster
Over the summer, she began to develop her own character and now that we could hold her and feed her small amounts, Lindsey and I began to feel more like parents after missing out on early cuddles and bathing her. Towards the end of our time at St. Mary’s, the place was beginning to feel like a second home and the staff beginning to feel like family. We could venture out of the ward with a pram and take her down to the canteen with a portable cylinder and a syringe of feed. Things were beginning to be easier to cope with and discussions were starting to take place regarding her being discharged back to Lancaster Royal Infirmary.

On 8^th August 2005, a day short of being 4 months old, patient SP05/3219 left St. Mary’s hospital and was transported back to Lancaster. To mum and dad this was a very emotional sight seeing her packed into an incubator by the ambulance men and taken on the hour long journey homewards. Imogen went without us in the ambulance but was in the good hands of Liz from the neonatal unit at Lancaster to oversee her wellbeing on the journey. We waved her off and headed back to the unit to pack up her endless cards and teddies brought by well wishers over the months. This was a very happy day that at times never thought we’d see but to say goodbye to the doctors and nurses was a sad moment. We can’t impress enough how much we appreciated their help over the months and to each one who cared for our little miracle, we will always hold them in highest regard.