RUHX

Chrstine's page

Christine Lawrence

Christine Lawrence

My Story

I never thought I'd be in need of emergency medical help, but my experience of RUH Bath has been nothing short of incredible with the level of friendliness, professionalism and kindness I was so grateful to receive. 

After suffering a miscarriage at the start of 2022, I then became pregnant with our rainbow baby in the middle of the year. All was fine until the quad test was delayed and came back high risk. I then opted to have further testing done for more solid answers. It then brought back results showing baby had a genetic skin condition that I never knew I was a carrier of called X-linked Icthyosis. The severity is unknown until baby is born so there was a lot of uncertainty and worry for us but we continued with the pregnancy. 

Then around 32 weeks pregnant I became severely unwell overnight. I tried to push through the next day but was still suffering with chest pains and being pregnant I couldn't leave it. So I headed to A&E, I spent several hours waiting, on the back end of a doctors strike too, but when I was seen the staff were brilliant and kept me updated with progress. When my bloods came back they said I'd developed acute pancreatitis possibly caused by gallstones. I knew it was serious and became very visibly upset but they were very kind and tried to lighten my mood. I was given a bed on A&E while having an IV and waited for a bed on maternity. I was eventually moved over and baby was also monitored. I was discharged after a few days, but I was only home for 4 days before I had another attack overnight and couldn't breathe or move, the pain was excruciating so I rang 111 who then called for an ambulance. My first ever time being in one on my own as my husband had to stay with our children. I was put onto maternity again and monitored more closely as I tested positive for influenza A on top of it. I required antibiotics, morphine and other pain relief along with oxygen. A very scary time for me but everyone was incredible, I was so heartbroken to miss Christmas with my family. 

After coming home I was due to have a scheduled growth scan of baby. I went in on 4th Jan to be told because of my gallstones and pancreatitis my baby had essentially stopped growing and it would be best for both of our health if we got baby out asap so I was then admitted. I was terrified as I was 35 weeks and knew baby was still quite small. There were lots of tears and conversations but our rainbow baby boy was born by c-section the next day on 5th Jan 2023. 

We then went through multiple visits to and from RUH. I was in for a week after birth as we struggled with feeding and jaundice, I came back to RUH when baby's weight was faultering, then again after experiencing heavy bleeding to find I had retained product and I was back for gallbladder removal at 6 weeks post partum in Feb 2023. When I returned for the retained product my baby then rapidly deteriorated with bronchiolitis to the point he was topping breathing. The maternity staff midwives, HCA and everyone involved were incredible as they moved so quickly to help us both. My boy was rushed off to Bristol PICU but I was still under RUH care and was heartbroken he had to leave without me. I managed to be discharged after 2 days and thankfully he recovered after about a week. 

I am amazed at the amazing work RUH do, I have only seen a small amount of the work they do but I hear such amazing stories all the time through social media and I'm so glad RUH is being recognised for the incredible level of care they provide. 
I am forever grateful for everything they did for me and I am running the Bath Half Marathon as my way of saying thank you for all they do. If you had asked me 10 years ago I'd be doing a half marathon I'd laugh and say don't be silly, 5 years ago I would have said yes maybe I will, but 1 year ago I wanted to get fit after all the health problems I had and want to prove to myself that I can do it.

So join me on my journey and let's do this! 


I'm running to help Royal United Hospitals Bath do more for patients, families and hospital staff.

____________________________________________________________________________

RUHX is the official charity of the Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

At RUHX, we're more than a hospital charity. We go further to give every patient the extra extraordinary care they deserve, while supporting our staff to do what they do best and furthering innovation within our hospitals. We're out there in our community, collaborating with the people and organisations who drive real change. And we're making sure that every penny we raise goes towards improving health, happiness and wellbeing for everyone in Bath and beyond.

RUHX

Raising for:

RUHX
186%

Funded

  • Target
    £250
  • Raised so far
    £465
  • Number of donors
    20

My Story

I never thought I'd be in need of emergency medical help, but my experience of RUH Bath has been nothing short of incredible with the level of friendliness, professionalism and kindness I was so grateful to receive. 

After suffering a miscarriage at the start of 2022, I then became pregnant with our rainbow baby in the middle of the year. All was fine until the quad test was delayed and came back high risk. I then opted to have further testing done for more solid answers. It then brought back results showing baby had a genetic skin condition that I never knew I was a carrier of called X-linked Icthyosis. The severity is unknown until baby is born so there was a lot of uncertainty and worry for us but we continued with the pregnancy. 

Then around 32 weeks pregnant I became severely unwell overnight. I tried to push through the next day but was still suffering with chest pains and being pregnant I couldn't leave it. So I headed to A&E, I spent several hours waiting, on the back end of a doctors strike too, but when I was seen the staff were brilliant and kept me updated with progress. When my bloods came back they said I'd developed acute pancreatitis possibly caused by gallstones. I knew it was serious and became very visibly upset but they were very kind and tried to lighten my mood. I was given a bed on A&E while having an IV and waited for a bed on maternity. I was eventually moved over and baby was also monitored. I was discharged after a few days, but I was only home for 4 days before I had another attack overnight and couldn't breathe or move, the pain was excruciating so I rang 111 who then called for an ambulance. My first ever time being in one on my own as my husband had to stay with our children. I was put onto maternity again and monitored more closely as I tested positive for influenza A on top of it. I required antibiotics, morphine and other pain relief along with oxygen. A very scary time for me but everyone was incredible, I was so heartbroken to miss Christmas with my family. 

After coming home I was due to have a scheduled growth scan of baby. I went in on 4th Jan to be told because of my gallstones and pancreatitis my baby had essentially stopped growing and it would be best for both of our health if we got baby out asap so I was then admitted. I was terrified as I was 35 weeks and knew baby was still quite small. There were lots of tears and conversations but our rainbow baby boy was born by c-section the next day on 5th Jan 2023. 

We then went through multiple visits to and from RUH. I was in for a week after birth as we struggled with feeding and jaundice, I came back to RUH when baby's weight was faultering, then again after experiencing heavy bleeding to find I had retained product and I was back for gallbladder removal at 6 weeks post partum in Feb 2023. When I returned for the retained product my baby then rapidly deteriorated with bronchiolitis to the point he was topping breathing. The maternity staff midwives, HCA and everyone involved were incredible as they moved so quickly to help us both. My boy was rushed off to Bristol PICU but I was still under RUH care and was heartbroken he had to leave without me. I managed to be discharged after 2 days and thankfully he recovered after about a week. 

I am amazed at the amazing work RUH do, I have only seen a small amount of the work they do but I hear such amazing stories all the time through social media and I'm so glad RUH is being recognised for the incredible level of care they provide. 
I am forever grateful for everything they did for me and I am running the Bath Half Marathon as my way of saying thank you for all they do. If you had asked me 10 years ago I'd be doing a half marathon I'd laugh and say don't be silly, 5 years ago I would have said yes maybe I will, but 1 year ago I wanted to get fit after all the health problems I had and want to prove to myself that I can do it.

So join me on my journey and let's do this! 


I'm running to help Royal United Hospitals Bath do more for patients, families and hospital staff.

____________________________________________________________________________

RUHX is the official charity of the Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

At RUHX, we're more than a hospital charity. We go further to give every patient the extra extraordinary care they deserve, while supporting our staff to do what they do best and furthering innovation within our hospitals. We're out there in our community, collaborating with the people and organisations who drive real change. And we're making sure that every penny we raise goes towards improving health, happiness and wellbeing for everyone in Bath and beyond.