Simply Less is More # 205

Hello there,
I`m back on my poor neglected blogwith my entry for this weeks Simply Less is More Challenge
which is a colour challenge.                BLACK, METALIC + ONE

I`ve gone for Black, gold and red,

I used a black base card and a white panel. I tried other combinations, white on white and plain black but prefer this one.
The tag is made using a Die-namics die and a Pink Petticoat Chevrons download printed onto card.
The heart is cut from red glitter card using a sizzix die and the small hearts are punched out.
The `love` die is from Memory Box cut from gold card.

Well I hope you all had a super Christmas and new year. Ours was...well... different. Ruby has been in LGI for 3 weeks now and has been extremely ill. The infection in her portacath was a lot more serious than first thought and even after an operation to remove it she didn`t improve at all. After a scan to investigate it was discovered that she had a `pocket` of infection, simiar to an abcess I think, quite deep seated in her chest. The doctor was hoping to take her to theatre to clean the infection site in the hope that the antibiotics would start to take effect but Rubys platelette count was extremely low and it was thought that she may not be strong enough to cope with another operation. Ruby had not eaten since being admitted so that was a major worry. She had a feed tube fitted to give her some nutrients with the hope of building her up enough to help the fight. She also developed a rash which was a worry, especially when they tested her for meningitis but that came back negative. The biggest concern was that the infection had spread throughout her body and that she had developed septicaemia. Ruby was seriously ill and quite unresponsive, sleeping most of the time. On sunday the decision was made to clean out the infected area. Almost as soon as she was back on the ward Ruby was showing signs of being more alert but by monday she was sleepy and a bit poorly again.
On tuesday morning she woke up wanting snuggles with her daddy and during the afternoon she was given a CT scan and the infection site was still clear. By late afternoon, a small miracle occured and Ruby ate for the first time in 17 days. You cannot imagine the relief we all felt, I can`t find the words to describe it. She sat in bed chattering away to the play worker and the nurses were queueing up outside the door to speak to her.
The rash is thought to be a reaction to the antibiotics so thats a huge relief. There is still along way to go, Ruby had some fluid around her lungs and her heart rate was quite high but she`s been back to theatre this afternoon to have her lungs flushed out and she`s breathing better already so fingers crossed. I know how worried I was but really can`t imagine what my daughter and son in law must have been going through. They have both shown such strength and they have supported each other which is  wonderful.
We can`t wait to get all the family home now so we can celebrate christmas together, a bit late but it will be special.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx