C/O 90 Irving Road
Maybush
Southampton
SO16 4JF
United Kingdom

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

Email Pal

Phoebe M's Parents/Guardians

Melissa and Lee

Phoebe M's Siblings

Libby 06/09/04 Likes her Moshi Monsters, her DS, drawing, colouring, Hello Kitty, Scooby Doo, barbies, Zhu Zhu pets and music. She is very active and likes the outdoors, flowers, trees and swimming. Also likes girly and pretty things for her hair, dressing up and nail varnish. Likes reading books (very good reader) like Phineas and Ferb and joke books.

Phoebe M's Interests

Peppa Pig, Mickey and Minnie mouse, touch and feel books, noisy things, different shapes, textures and colours. Phoebe likes drawing with big crayons, loves stickers and play doh.

Phoebe M's Favourite Colour

Bright colours

Is Phoebe M able to read?

No

Is Phoebe M able to use hands?

Yes

Is Phoebe M visually/hearing impaired?

Yes

Does Phoebe M suffer from any developmental delay?

Yes

Impairment

Phoebe has 30% vision so can see large and bright things.

Development delay

Mobility is delayed and she is the size of a 12-18 month year old but has very good verbal skills.

Story written 2011

We knew at the 24 week scan that Phoebe would be born with Chronic Renal Failure. Phoebe was induced one week early as there was no amniotic fluid and the first few hours were critical. Phoebe had a peritoneal dialysis catheter put in when she was 24 hours old and she has been on dialysis ever since. Phoebe spent nine weeks in the neo-natal unit before coming home.

In September 2008 Phoebe had her gastrostomy button put in so her NG tube could come out. Phoebe is fluid restricted due to no urine output and is fed special feed through her button. She does have some pureed food orally and likes licking and tasting.

In March 2009 Phoebe lost her sight due to pressure on the brain. She had a VP shunt put in due to hydrocephalus and was registered blind. She currently wears glasses to strengthen what sight is left.

In April 2009 Phoebe got peritonitis and her peritoneal dialysis catheter had to be removed. She is now on heamo-dialysis and has two tubes in her chest, which run into her heart. Phoebe has dialysis on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for three hours a time.

Phoebe’s Dad, Lee, is a good kidney match for her and we are awaiting results from various tests to see if a kidney transplant can go ahead.

Phoebe has had 28 operations to date and a recent bladder test showed that her bladder is too small so we know more operations are to come. Phoebe has a brilliant character and is always smiling.

Update 25th March 2012

Phoebe is doing very well with her new kidney. She is having her haemo dialysis catheter removed on the 2nd April so will spend a night or two in hospital.

Thank you to everyone that has sent us post.

Update 12th February 2012

Phoebe is now 5 weeks post kidney transplant from her dad Lee and they are doing extremely well. Phoebe now has a urostomy which she now urinates from. It is free flow as Phoebe has no bladder function and it comes straight from the kidney, which means later on (approx in 1 year) they will transform it into a mitrofanoff. So we’re now half way there at making Phoebe’s life a lot better.

We attend the hospital 4 mornings a week at the moment so they can do observations and bloods to keep an eye on her levels; as if there were signs of rejection they could do something sooner rather then later. So far so good though, but we have been warned the first year is the hardest. We have had concerns with Phoebe’s breathing at night so have been referred to ENT for adenoids and tonsils to be removed to help her breathing.

We’ve had some wonderful post, especially for her birthday. Thank you everyone! Thank you to the girls at the high school for all their drawings too - a beautiful idea. It’s an amazing feeling when Phoebe opens her post – she loves all the surprises.

Update 9th February 2012

Phoebe’s kidney transplant has been a success and things are going smoothly. Her dad is in more pain whereas phoebe is thriving off the new kidney. She is in hospital daily for blood tests but all is doing very well.

Thank you all for your amazing post! I love how some cards are hand made and Phoebe always feels them or the stickers on them etc. We have had some really beautiful cards!

Update 12th January 2012

Phoebe had transplant on the 10th January! Her dad, Lee, donated his kidney (they say often it takes longer for the person donating to recover than the one receiving) and then it was transplanted into Phoebe. Lee and Phoebe were both back on the ward the same day – they were tired and sore, but Phoebe was WEEING!

Lee is going home today and Phoebe is going for a scan as her urine isn’t flowing well, but it is to be expected due to the swelling.

I’m sure Phoebe would appreciate some cheery post!

Update 9th January 2012

Phoebe is having her transplant this week with a kidney donated by her dad.

Update 5th October 2011

Phoebe has been in hospital with heart problems and was on 48 hours monitoring.

Thank you to a young girl called Lilly who sent Phoebe a beautiful touchy feely card as it was lovely. Phoebe loves receiving her post and it brings smiles while she has her treatment.

Update 29th June 2011

Phoebe has been doing relatively well. We had a blood pressure problem which seems to have resolved itself now. She recently had to have more work up for transplant injections too which she was very brave for.

We are looking forward to our first family holiday at the beginning of August. It’s just a weekend but it will be a first.

Phoebe has been granted a wish to Paultons Park to see Peppa Pig World on the 14th July and both she and Libby are excited about it.

Thank you to everyone who has sent the girls post.

Update 29^th April 2011

We had a slight scare with a clot blocking Phoebe’s line on Monday but thankfully it became free.

We have had a lovely Easter weekend and Phoebe and Libby have received some beautiful parcels, letters, and drawings. Thank you Viks for the wonderful Easter egg game too as it was great fun.