Since our last post Angela has been back in hospital once. After a night of serious coughing fits we took Angela back through Emergency and met the palliative care team (two doctors, a nurse and a social worker). They were able to answer a lot of our questions and talk through various scenarios with us. They arranged for us to visit Bear Cottage – the Children’s Hospice in Manly – and we spent a lovely weekend of respite there this last weekend.

Bear Cottage is a wonderful place. It is a purpose built house in Manly that provides respite to families of children in palliative care. It also provides end-of-life care for families who don’t want their child to pass away in hospital, but may not be able to accommodate them at home. It provides holistic care to the whole family. Lydia was able to play and Paul and I were able to relax with a view of the ocean. They provided meals for us and, importantly, they cared for Angela through the night. We loved our time there.