It never rains but it pours

Well what a time we've had since my last blog!!
Where I left it last time - i'll try pick up to fill you in but its been a while so might not remember it all!
I got up on Wed and rang to get an appt at GP for my ear, dropped Abi at nursery and then headed there with Oliver. I had a ear canal and middle ear infection so was started on ceflex 500mg 4 times a day and a steroid/antibiotics spray to put directly into the ear 3 times a day. He also said my chest was infected but I didn't feel it was but he started me on 750mg cipro anyway!
Picked Abi up from nursery and she was excessivly tired so we all had a small lunch and went to bed. We slept for about 3 hours!! When we finally woke up Abi went to go for a wee and was screaming in pain when she wee'd this continued over the next few hours and got to the point that she was refusing to wee because she knew it'd hurt - so I took her to the out of hours GP at the hospital - of course she wouldn't do a sample for him so he treated her on symptoms and said she had a urine tract infection started her on Trimethaprim twice a day. I gave her paracetamol and she fell off to sleep and after about an hour she did a big wee in her nappy and it didn't wake her up which was a good sign.
I kept her off tumble tots on Thursday for the obvious reasons we had a lazy morning. She was alot better and not crying when going anymore wasn't right though and had yet another afternoon sleep!
Friday she woke up and seemed ok so thought she'd be ok for nursery, although she wouldn't eat breakfst - this is pretty normal for her. within an hour they'd rung me and asked me to pick her up I was there within about 10 mins and got her home she had a temp and was just grumpy and crying, so I gave her some calpol and put her to bed she refussed a drink or lunch. I woke her up after 3 1/2 hours her temp was 39.6 and she was so lethargic and almost not with it. I gave her some more calpol and she fell straight back to sleep. When Ed got home we tried to wake her up but she wasn't having any of it and despite the 2 doses of calpol her temp was still 39.2 so I rang the dr's these things always seem to happen out of hours or at 5pm on a friday evening!! They told me to bring her straight down so Ed stayed with Oliver and I took her straight down, the dr saw her straight away she was very lethargic and half asleep on me as I carried her in the dr took her temp and even after being outside where it was freezing her temp was still 39.3 he said her tonsills and ears looked red and started her on some augamentin he said she was also showing signs of dehydration so to push the fluid and get 2 doses of antibiotc regualr calpol and re acsess at 10pm if no change to contact out of hours GP.
I went to pick up prescription and got her out of the car and carried her in still asleep. We got home and ed got her a drink and some antibiotic with alot of persuasion she took it and he laid her down on sofa and she was immediately sick all over herself and sofa.
We cleaned her up gave her a bath and got her some clean pj's and gave her a 30 min rest then tried again she seemed to keep antibiotic down and by now oliver was asleep in bed so Ed went off to work, she dosed off but woke up about 5 mins later being sick again took her temp and it was 40.2 C!!! I took her covers and pj's off and laid her back down while I was pottering abot doing bits about 10 mins later she started to fit - being sick while she was fitting her eyes were rolled back - it was so scary I didnt know what to do - after what seemed like ages but probably was under 2 mins she stopped fitting and was just staring like she was staring through me she didn't know who I was - I rang ed but he had a student there on his own who was only 10 so he couldn't leave but told me to ring him mum who lives in same road as us and she was here within about 40 seconds. We rang out of hours dr and by now although still extreemly poorly Abi knew who we were they said to go straight to A&E. I threw a few things in a bag my meds and hers and a change of clothes and we headed off and Hilary stayed here with Oliver - Poor Abi was sick about 3 times on way to hospital and by time we got there she was covered I rushed in and receptionist was lovely getting me some wipes and a little gown for abi who was by now shivving and a blanket and some clean sick bowls and said we'd be acessed shortly - we were kept waiting just over an hour!!! Abi continued to be very drousy very floppy couldnt sit and throwing up all the time. When we were finally called in to be acessed they rushed her straight into resus and had a dr there straight away! They put her on a drip as by now she was really dehydrated checked her blood sugar and took some blood - she was laying there through all of this not registering it at all it was so scary. By this point Ed had arrived it was around 9.30 they said she'd be admitted but the medical childrens ward was at a different hospital so organised an ambulance for us but being friday night we waited till midnight for this! Ed then went home to be with Oliver and I stayed with Abi, when we got to the other hospital she was seen my different dr's who although she was asthmatic said we had to give her ibrufen to get her temp down as paracetamol alone wasn't doing it and she'd fit again if we didn't - it did start to bring her temp down but made her really wheezy and was needed 10 puffs of ventolin every hour!

They started her on some antibiotics through her drip and monitored her closely! We were finally discharged on Tuesday to come home. Abi temp was controlled and switched to oral antibiotics and was keeping down fluids.

I don't think I slept at all Tuesday night I stayed in her room with her but she was ok and has continueed to pick up this week. Although not herself is a hell of alot better!

Until Friday we had a restful few days all catching up on missed sleep and being so happy to be home. Friday Oliver woke up with a nasty cough and wuite wheezy nothing too horendous though so just kept an eye on him but by 8pm it had got alot worse and being afriday night again ed was out at work so I rang NHS direct who listened to him over phone as said I needed to take him to A&E as he was very wheezy and struggling with every breath. It was exactly a week since i'd last been in A&E!!! My mum came over to stay with Abi who was sound asleep in bed and I took Oliver down when I got there the receptionist recognised me!!!

Oliver has croup and was given oxygen and steroids to reduce the inflamation in his airways!

We're home now though but as the title says - it never rains but it pours!

Its now Sunday and we're all still in our pj's having a really lazy day and going to put the tree up later I think :)

I hope everyone has had a better few weeks than us!!!! Here's to a healthy 2009!! I've attached a few pics for you too xxxx

A poorly soldier before she had her fit while dosing on sofa

A very content sleepy boy before he got poorly

A very hot and bothered little girl

Feeling a little better and playing an In The Night Garden game with daddy

Sleeping peacefully

Enjoying a visit from her brother

02/12/2008

Abigail playing with mummy's "sexy shoes" for Toria's funeral
my gorgeous boy - happy because he's in the chair he gets fed in

Peacefully sleeping

Gorgeous girl doing some colouring

I haven't blogged much recently as a few things have been going on and I haven't been able to haven't felt up to it and just haven't had time!

Firstly i've been back in hospital again since my last blog luckily managed to escape after only a 5 day stay but it was on a short stay medical ward so not very pleasant!

I've been really down about lots of things mainly Toria's death, i just can't seem to get over it I know she would be so cross with me for being like this but I just can't seem to crack out of it I miss her so much and am so sad for her family, luke and poor little Edward growing up without a mummy! It makes me feel guilty that i'm alive and seeing these things- i know all very messed up and i know she'd be cross with me for thinking like this.

As well as me being unwell both children have too, Abigails asthma has been horrendous too she's on steroids which have made her behaviour horrendous! Lots of sleepless nights involved!

Oliver had a nasty d&v bug last weekend was like something out of the excorcist - one time i'd just put a clean nappy on him and re dressed him and started to go downstairs when he went again filled his nappy and it started to leak so I ran to bathroom and held him in there as no carpet in there - when I tell you what it was like you'd think i was exagerating! It was up to his neck and down to his toes and all over my bathroom floor i've never seen anything like it and didn't know where to start to clear it up! I spent all Sunday bathing him - washing clothes and mopping floors from vomit and poo!!

He's alot better now but its set him back with his reflux and continues to be sick for up to 2 1/2 hours after a feed!

I've now come down with a horrendous ear ache today which is effecting my speach as it hurts to move that side of my face so I think once i've dropped abi at nursery in the morning i'm going to have to get myself off to GP.

I was at clinic last week and had the good news they don't want to see me for 6 weeks so not till after Christmas!! I have changed around my inhalors in the hope that it will enable me to reduce my pred a bit as I can't get below 30mg at the mo - obviously back up to 60mg from last admission - I HATE STEROIDS!!!!

We are now in the run up to Christmas so hardly see Ed he just works so hard and does such an amazing job providing for all of us but I just hate not seeing him. He works every evening and this weekend he's working 8-3 on sat and all day sunday so we're just not going to see him - and its only going to get worse christmas is a busy time for musicians.

Argh enough moaning now - i'm hoping my christmas cards will arrive soon so I can write them, we've gone for Bliss charity cards this year - quite appropriate I feel after Oliver being born so premature this year and spending alot of time in the NICU.

I am almost done Christmas shopping and have done Abi's birthday shopping too so almost there!

I have decided on Abi party but am just booking the final bits before we send out invitations :)

Am off to bed now as really don't feel that great and don't want to be tired if we have another early start like this morning! I think they like to see daddy before he leaves for work at 6.30!

Toria's Funeral 21/11/2008

I've just got back from a very moving lovely day saying goodbye to Toria, i'm totally shattered so will post properly tomorrow but wanted to share with you a photo I took when we all let off helium balloons with a photo of toria and edward on and a message to the person that found them...

This Christmas

Hello,
this Christmas I'm planning on making some sick children smile simply by sending some post.Post Pals brightens the lives of seriously ill children (most of whom are fighting cancer or going through transplants) and their siblings by featuring them on the website www.postpals.co.uk with their own page, with their story, interests and a forwarding address. Members of the public from around the world can log on and send cards, letters, emails and small gifts to brighten the child's day and let them know someone cares. Post Pals does this all year around but at Christmas they run some special schemes.Reindeers (volunteers) are assigned to a young child and during December they send a card from each of Santa's reindeer, talking about anything from loving it when carrots are left out or how full the sleigh is getting. Its great fun to use your imagination and the children really enjoy it, one boy was so relieved as it meant santa definitely knew he was in hospital at Christmas and another girl thought the reindeer wrote to her as she was good in helping her mum look after her disabled brother.The elf scheme is another project, a little like the Shoe Box appeal we all know. You're assigned a child and you have a read their page to get to know them. Then you gather up gifts to the value of £15 and send them off to the child in December. Post Pals needs to find 240 volunteers for this so please spread the world about how to make a difference this Christmas. A picture of little Aled with his elf box can be seen here http://tinyurl.com/64pq5b and a picture of Nikita with the bear she was sent can be seen here http://tinyurl.com/6mq9rj (sadly she passed away on Christmas Eve, a couple of weeks after this picture was taken).You can also send christmas cards or little gifts to any child, just log onto www.postpals.co.uk click on "News" to find out how to volunteer and see how a simple gesture can make a big difference.About Post Pals; www.postpals.co.uk - Post a Smile on a Sick Child's FaceWinner of Queens Award for Voluntary Services 2008Supported by Princes Trust and Children in NeedPatron Fearne CottonPost Pals on the BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/3673782.stm

05/11/2008

Making shortbread although daddy thought we were just making mess

Oliver smiling for the camera

Abi enjoying sitting on the banana ride

Abi enjoying bowling

Oliver sleeping through bowling!

Abi and Daddy at Dinner at Chimmi Changers

Our firework pictures for Abi's firework topic at nursery

Abi ready for her first Monday session at nursery she now does 3 sessions a week the monday session she goes for lunch!

I'm sorry i've not blogged but i've just not felt like it.

We had a nice half term with ed off as you can see by the pictures, unfortunately my asthma hasn't been all that great am on such a whack of pred now just to keep going my body is getting used to the higher doses so i'm needing higher and higher, i've also resorted to using my o2 aswell as blue nails when walking round isn't that great!

Oliver and Abi are both well for a change! Abi is enjoying nursery had her photo's done today so i'm looking forward to seeing those! Her first nursery ones!

Ive been doing lots of selling on ebay we're saving up for out Center Parcs holiday next year.

I've just joined a forum with other mums who's babies were born in may 2008 its really nice and they all seem really friendly.

Hope everyone is well

RIP And Fly Free Toria

Toria Crossland

13/02/1985 - 22/10/2008

Fly free now you will never be forgotten always on my mind and in my heart

The worlds best mummy, daughter, sister, friend.

Update on Us

Oliver all snug in his pushchair
One set of feed and medicines that Oliver is on!
My gorgoeus girl enjoying the October Sunshine at the park
My skinny little tumble tot!

I thought it was about time I updated about us, if you've been following my blog you'll know that one of my dearest best friends has been fighting for her life in intensive care so hence i've not really felt like blogging about how we're doing as it just didn't seem right my little problems are nothing compared to what she's going through! Now Toria has turned the corner I feel its ok to tell you what we've been up to!

Anyway, Since Abi started nursery at the begginging of September the poor little thing has had one thing after another!

Starting with both ear infections and a horrendous chest infection the ear infections cleared up with a course of antibiotics after about 5 days but the chest infection is still going.

Shortly after that course of anitbiotics finished she came down with Hand Foot And Mouth Disease where her mouth filled with about 30 ulcers she couldnt talk or swallow and was really really poorly nearly admitted into hospital with dehydration but we managed to keep on top if that with ice lollies to cool her mouth and get a bit of liquid in there!

Then that took a good 10 days to go but because everytime she put anything in her mouth is was so sore she got a complex phobia about eating - the weight has just fallen off her not that she had any to loose in the first place!

Then last sunday she kept wetting herself and crying saying her bottom was sore - at first I was a little cross as she has been dry for about 8 months now! But then I thought this isn't right anyway put her to bed and about an hour later she woke up screaming in pain saying she needed the toilet I put her on the toilet and she went but it was almost totally red from blood - she was rushed up to broomfield and now has a kidney infection so is on yet another course of Antibiotics!

The poor little thing! She still has a stinking chest infection too is hacking away!

She is so withdrawn now we are trying to get her back into things get her energy levels back up - she can't walk very far at all now so are trying to make her walk that little bit further before she gets into the pushchair. I took her back to tumble tots yesterday she managed a little but promptly fell asleep in the pushchair afterwards as was shattered!

When she woke up we went to the park to cheer her up a bit as it was a lovely sunny october afternoon, she enjoyed the swings but needed to be pushed the whole way home where as before as the park is so close to us she would have walked home.

Oliver on the other hand is doing amazing! He is still on alot of medicines with every feed - see picture but is doing really well he is smilling away and can almost hold his head now, he sleeps through the night and is such a happy baby we are so luckily!!

Myself I haven't been too well either but these things happen and we need to carry on!

I hope this finds you all well and thank-you so much again for all your prayers!!!

Toria Update

Toria is still in the ITU but alot more stable she is making definate progress she is needing alot less support and although it still on the ventilator is trying to breathe on her own!
Thank-you from the bottom of my heart for all your thoughts and prayers, I couldn't have done this without you!
The power of prayer is working!
Come on Toria you can do it keep fighting!!!

Please pray hard

I don't know if any of you know toria she is one of my very best friends. Toria went into the brompton on 1st September, she responded to IV's well and decided to get her new port fitted while she was in her crp (infection markers in her blood) had come down enough and a cancelation came up so she got it pretty quick. Unfortunately the surgeon managed to puncture her lung during the procedure. She spent a long time with a chest drain in HDU eventually after a long 2 weeks the drain stopped bubbling and she managed to get it out and move back over to foulis. She had a rough few days with her asthma tried atrovent nebs but they made her swell up, she had the physio called in lots and was coughing up pots and pots of sputum. On wed 1st Oct she text me that things had gone alot worse her crp was over 300 her heart rate was very high and they put her on NIV but at the end she put she was going to be just fine - typical toria! I got a text from Luke her partner that said she is in ITU fully sedated,intubated and under paralysis and that her chances arn't good. I'm absolutely devestated, she is such a fighter but I just don't know if she's strong enough. Luke and their 9 month old gorgeous son Edward could really do with our prayers at the moment. Cf is so cruel she is the bestest friend ever and has a gorgeous son and partner waiting for her. This can't be happening she's got to fight. Please pray for her

Birthdays, antibiotics, reflux and no blogs

Oh dear what a naughty blogger its been nearly a month!

(see below for holiday blog)

Have posted you some photos of Abigail and Alice when we went to the beach and Abigail with her sunflowers we grew this year in our front garden :)

We have been rather busy since back from holiday Olivers reflux went mad so he has been back and forth to hospital and GP frequently as have I as have had a nasty infection. Oliver is now on 5 meds for his reflux he's trying to catch up with me!!

Abigail has started nursery and loves it - we've had a few tears but I expected this, it is good for her to spend sometime away from me and socialising with other children.

It was my birthday yesterday and I was totally spoilt!! Had a lovely night in with ed we got both children in bed early and had a bottle of champagne and a chinese takeaway :)

Promise to try blog again soon! Hope everyone is well

Devon 2008

We had a lovely time and had lots of lovey days out as you can see by all the pictures - I took lots but didn't want to bore you all with them all.

Luckily I was only too poorly to get out of bed one day. We didn't have any rain either which was nice had a little sun but it wasn't spoilt as was dry. We had the most gorgeous cottage we stayed in with 2 shetland ponies in the back garden which abigail was over the moon about. There was also a small heated indoor swimming pool which abigail loved. Oliver was really good his reflux wasn't too bad while we were away - not like the night before we left when he was so sick it literally COVERED our bedroom lol he even managed to get it under the bed! Impressive!

Off on holiday!!

Just a quick blog before we're off to Devon in the morning.
I'm nearly all packed up apart from what we have to pack in the morning.
Unfortunately I managed to tred on an old rusty nail while going back and forth down side ally to car but have checked and am up to date on my tetnus until 2012!
Oliver had his second set of injections today, abi got really upset bless her but the nurse gave her some sweets and she was soon ok!
Oliver did his best ever night last night lets hope it continues - he went to bed at 8pm woke at 4.58am had a bottle then went back down till 8.30am!! He now weights 11lb 1oz!! just hit the 5kg mark! What a little porker!
Right better get on so much to do and think about. Won't be able to blog from devon but promise to blog when we get back

Frogs and more family time

Oliver filling out his moses basket

My arm after having my contraceptive implant fitted
The frog Abi and I found doing the gardening
Abi Asleep in car on way back from Ed's Grandmas
Oliver on his play mat (see the blured legs he was so excited he was kicking her legs)
Oliver in his big boy cot!
Chubby boy

We've had another nice week the summer holidays have just flown by I can't believe its 2 weeks till ed goes back to work!!
Monday I had clinic and Ed had Abi and Oliver.
Tuesday Abi and I went to see Milkshake live at the cliffs Pavilion (see previous separate post)
Wednesday Ed was in work and I spent the day sorting out all the things that had sold on ebay and parceling them up getting them to post office etc - so far we have made £500 selling stuff on ebay :-) I'm addicted now ed thinks he'll come home one day and the house will be empty LOL Then we all slept for 3 hours in the afternoon till Ed came home. In the evening I had puppy training
Thursday Ed was at work again as the A level results came out Mum came with me into town in the morning to sort a few bits then I met Beccy and Eleanor in the afternoon at the park we let the girls use up some energy for an hour!
On Friday we dropped off mine and Olivers repeat prescriptions ready for Holiday and then went off to Southend again but this time to see Ed's grandma. We had a Toby Carvery lunch which was lovely.
Today I had a really lazy morning I just couldn't be bothered to do anything but finally kicked myself into gear and had quite a proactive afternoon doing some gardening with abi finding the frog! Doing 2 loads of washing and cleaning my bathroom so am feeling pleased all be it shattered this evening.