Ella-mai recovering at home

9:10pm Wednesday 18th June 2008

A BABY girl who has spent most of her life in hospital is back home with her family this week.

Eight-month-old Ella-mai Bale has undergone months of operations, treatment and care in hospitals in Taunton and Bristol after she was born with DiGeorge Syndrome.

The condition causes cardiac and respiratory problems for Ella-mai, who was born seven weeks early weighing just 3lb 12oz.

After coming home for five weeks, she was back in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, for ten days earlier this month with a bout of pneumonia.

Recovering from her latest tribulations, Ella-mai was given her third lot of immunisations on Saturday.

"That made her a bit miserable," said her mother, hotel receptionist Rebecca, of Inner Circle, Taunton, who is married to Martin, a painter and decorator.

"She came home last Friday and is now without her oxygen tube, although she still has her feeding tube as she gets very tired still.

"She still manages a cute smile and loves a cuddle with her brother, Tyler, who is pleased to have her home.

"Hopefully, now the weather is getting better, she will be with us at home longer this time."