swim swim swim

Just to let you know Emma seems to have recovered from her bug. Her bloods on Thursday were a little wonky after her being sick so we have to go back again on Tuesday.
Reached a milestone this morning when all 3 children walked back through the doors of Polam for their swimming lesson with Su. Now, my children will never be olympic swimmers but I tell you I couldn't be more proud of them- they have all screamed, shouted and refused to swim in the past but thanks to their fantastic swimming teachers- especially Adrienne, Su and Aoife, they now happily go and always do their best.
So todays blog is in memory of the wonderful Adrienne who taught Meggie, Greg and Emma from 12 weeks old till they became tadpoles with Su, who now I am so lucky to also have as one of my amazingly supportive friends.

Yawn!!!

I managed to stay awake till 4:30am and then set the alarm for 5 and 5:30. After that I must have fallen into a deep sleep as woke again at 7:30! Emma woke up remarkably cheerful and had kept all the liquid and tablets down that I had been force-feeding her through the night! Phew..
So on 2hrs sleep we trotted off to London. The doctor checked her over and had her blood pressure taken 3 times- it was very low for Emma, most unusual. Bloods were taken and then we were sent off with strict instructions to ring if ill again. We then had an appointment to get her school shoes from the fab orthoptic department. But surprise, surprise they didn't fit and she found the new insoles very stiff and uncomfortable. As you can imagine she wasn't best pleased and made sure I knew it! Ho hum....
As we were leaving we... I mean 'I' was very excited to see Michael MacIntyre walking down the road. Emma refused to stalk him with me for a photo so instead we jumped into a taxi and headed home.
As far as I know the bloods were ok. The doc rang but just to check Emma still feeling OK. I should have asked but sometimes am too scared to ask in case they are aren't as good as last time.
Greg went off to the school disco this evening. Emma had to miss because of bug and she was also scared in case her side was knocked.
Nothing can stop us from being incredibly thankful that all has gone well (so far) but to Emma its missing school discos, class trips, Brownie weekends, swimming, ballet etc that really make her fed up and there is nothing anyone can do about it. It's simply not fair....

One of those days.

Hello all!
Have had one of those crazy days so thought I would update the blog to let you all know about it! At the moment me and Emma are in my bed, Emma sleeping soundly and me trying desperately to stay awake! At 8pm Emma decided to throw-up. BOO!! Its a bug- hot, cold, sick, miserable etc. I rang GOSH who told me to ring back if sick again. hour later... sick again. Was then given the option of going to Bedford hospital and being put on a drip or making her drink 50-75mls of water every half an hour all through the night! SO here I am, 2:10am doing the latter! Emma sleeps through and then opens her mouth for the drinking straw and tablet. She hasn't been sick since 9pm now, but there is still a lot of night to get through.
I have really enjoyed chatting to anyone who is awake round the world including an old school friend Tom in Australia, my wonderful teaching pal Kathy in New Zealand and Terrie my American cousin!
We are off to GOSH in the morning, so hope Emma is feeling up to it as has to go.
Before all this happened Al had his long awaited finger surgery. Al has dupuytren contracture/disease (AKA bent finger disease!) He came home with a very impressive bandage and splint and has to keep the arm elevated till Friday when he is seeing a physio. Sadly his other hand is also affected so has to repeat it all again in a few months time.
Its now 2:38am. Only 5 hours to go!!
byeee

Choo-Choo!!!

A very happy and independent Emma got on the 9:15 train to London with me this morning. Unfortunately there were no seats together so we spent the journey on the flip down chairs outside the loos!! An easy, hassle free journey got us to the clinic by 10:15 where Emma was given her normal checks. Her blood pressure was down to 100 which I was pleased about. She is still on one Bp medication. It would be lovely to be able to come off that and hopefully in time she will be. The doctor was very pleased with her and also very happy to hear she is back at school. Our next appointment is a week on Thursday... over a week away- Wow!





We then went up to Victoria Ward where we were very pleased to be able to present them a new laptop. This was bought by the staff of Life Plus (where Al works). Jane the play specialist and Clare, Emmas all-time favourite nurse was there to collect it from us. I know it will be much used and much appreciated. Jane is very keen to set up a skype webcam link between Guys and Gosh and this laptop will hopefully kickstart this plan.
Whenever I leave the ward I always think how nice it must be for parents to walk out knowing they won't have to return. Not that I am planning on being back at Victoria Ward with Emma any time soon we know they are part of our lives and always will be. Good job we trust and love them so much then!!


And here is Emma with a rather large fairy cake she spotted on the way home. Like mother-like daughter without doubt!!
We were home in time to get Meggie from school (Greg still suffering from boy-flu) thanks to Tracey for picking us up on the way home from work.

The blood results came at 5pm and were all good. Even the phosphate count was better. What a relief.

We are off swimming in the morning. Emma very keen to get back in the pool- and I, of course, can't wait.....! Warning to Polam Su, the Beeden's are back!!!

Katy

7 weeks later... back to school!

Emma went into school for 2 hours today... it was only going to be one but she enjoyed it so much was happy to stay. She is very self conscious about how the steroids have changed her shape and I think this is what was worrying her most.

As you can see a very happy Emma returned and she was full of it, especially the singing her class was doing. Her friends have been wonderful. Such a support. She even got a good luck card from one of them today- all these things have helped her so much over these really tricky weeks.

For those of you who don't know who Emma is with in the photo... this is the infamous Roz of the rambling but very funny comments! One of my many fantastic friends who continue to be there for me when needed. Roz is my second top texting pal. She has tried so hard over the last few months but has now admitted defeat to the worlds greatest texter..... come on down Mrs Erika Franks!

To add to the fun Greg came home from school at lunchtime after turning ghostly white after his packed lunch- sorry Miss Burraway! He then spent the afternoon on the wii recovering! He has got a nasty sounding cough when he gets going so poor Nanny and Grandad are on sick duty with him tomorrow- how lucky!!?

Me and Emma are heading down to London in the morning. It was only Thursday that we were last there but seems longer. Will see what her bloods are doing and whether they need to make changes again. Emma is very excited about being allowed back on the train again! I on the other hand got rather used to being chauffered around!

Katy