Remembering Ruby on her 1st Birthday 🎈

On the 9th of March 2024, our beautiful daughter Ruby Victoria Turner came in to the world at just 23 weeks and 5 days. Born miles from our home in Cressing, we found ourselves at Luton and Dunstable hospital, where she defied the odds time and again to give us almost 4 months with her that we will cherish forever.

Born at just 1.25lb (577g), she was the smallest baby in the NICU, our 'little dot', which is still our nickname for her.

Ruby was born with extremely immature lungs, and spent the first 95 days of her life fully ventilated. We spent every single day sat by her bed side, reading and singing to her, and helping with her care. We were very fortunate to be provided with accomodation while she was in the care of Luton, and also GOSH when we were transferred there on April 12th, which would not be possible without several charities, now close to our hearts. We did not return home until her passing on July 1st, but we were lucky to have family and friends come to visit frequently, and made friends with fellow parents at the hospital.

Ruby was not like most of the other babies, who would lay resting peacefully to grow and develop. She was often flinging her arms and legs around, setting the alarms off to get everyone's attention, before settling back down, which led to the nursing team who cared for her labelling this behaviour 'doing a Ruby'.

We were given so many scares over our few months with our girl. She caught many infections, and several times we were told she would not make it through, but time and again she would prove people wrong and recover, we like to think spurred on by the amount of love around her, from us and the nursing teams.

She was the first baby to receive neuro surgery on the NICU ward at GOSH, hopefully showing that this can be done going forward if need be, and helping future babies too small and vulnerable to be transported to an operating theatre.

After 95 days ruby came off full ventilation and onto bipap, and we got a chance to hear her amazing little voice. It was incredible to see her grow into a full term baby, despite remaining just 3lb 7. Her character grew along with her size, and she gave us many happy and funny memories. It broke our hearts to agree with the doctors on July 1st that despite the remarkable effort of everybody involved, there was no more that we could do to help Ruby after another infection left her struggling to recover from a collapsed lung.

We wanted nothing more than to get our little girl home, but had to make the selfless decision to let her be at peace. The time since her passing has been incredibly difficult, and we think every day of what we would be doing if she were here with us. However we are sure she is happy in heaven being cared for by our loved ones who have gone before her.

Happy 1st birthday little dot.

Love you lots. Daddy x