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Northern Mum

Crossfitting, pancreas acting, single mum to three

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Extreme Illnesses: Me and the NHS

My kids don’t do anything by half. They show determination in everything they do, and are extreme in their attempts.

So a little bit like me.

But whereas I concentrate my efforts on Skydiving, Crossfitting, Mountain Climbing. The kids…… they seem to currently focus on tag teaming each other for new medical conditions and seeing how extreme they can go.

Libby-Sue set off the relay, dominating the initial race by trying to fit in as many conditions as possible in her younger years. Starting with Epilepsy, then Hip Dysplasia, and rounding up with a bit of hypoglycemia.

ddh

Finally her work was done and she passed the baton to her big sister who stormed down the track getting her sprint start straight in with getting an incurable condition, Type 1 Diabetes. If that wasn’t enough she thought she would add by having a year with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome before finally handing the baton to Owen.

Sportsfest2014

Owen, the boy who spent four half terms in a row on hospital wards with his poorly sisters. Owen who used to ask when it would be his turn. Owen who is now firmly holding the baton and running the home straight.

It is definitely his turn now.

Owen Lamboli

Today I watched my son have his second general anaesthetic. It was the tenth time I have walked down that same brightly patterned hall, headed into a room filled with men in funny net hats and blue paper clothes and have stood by as they put a needle in my child and sent them off to an artificial sleep.

The first time was five years ago with Libby-Sue and I remember the horror of it. How I sobbed as my then eight month old baby went from being vibrantly awake to suddenly slumped into my arms.

Today I merely stood to the side as Owen lay with an oxygen mask on his face, a needle in his hand. He counted to four and was gone. I kissed his head, said a silent prayer to something I don’t believe in often and walked out of the room.

The nurse patted my arm.

“Well done,” she said “mums normally cry, you didn’t flinch.”

Dry eyed I turned to her, and offered what I hoped looked like a sad smile (never really sure if I pull that look off) and said,

“I’ve been here before, quite a few times.”

Silently we went back to the ward.

I feel guilty not giving Owen the panic that I used to harbour when Libby-Sue was under anaesthetic. I used to pace the halls, check the time, worry till grey hairs started to spurt.

Now I merely flip on my laptop or crack the spine on book and wait, desperately craving a cup of tea. Resenting the no hot drinks on the ward rule tremendously.

He came back to me fine, with ears that had been cleaned out, new grommets inserted and a slightly quieter tone.

Then we waited to see if the relay was finally over.

You already know it isn’t. Not with my kids.

His minor surgery today basically highlighted he needs major surgery on his left ear. His ear drum is severely retracted, his hearing bones broken, and the whole area looks like an alien foetus.

He needs surgery, where they will cut him open behind his ear, remove the alien foetus, rebuild the bones, and replace the ear drum, all using tissue from inside his ear.

It is unlikely that his hearing will improve and actually a side effect of the surgery is permanent hearing loss.

Odds are as he grows the ‘artificial’ ear won’t mature so in 12 months we could be looking at more surgery to rebuild again.

He is marked as urgent for surgery, in NHS terms this means some point in the next 3-4 months. When it happens he is likely to be in surgery for 4-6 hours. I have already booked in to the hairdressers to replace the grey.

Then he will need 2-3 weeks off school – one of us is elated by this.

It would seem the race is very much still underway.

Surely at some point one of them could drop the baton?

Comments

  1. Jen says

    September 25, 2015 at 10:13 am

    Oh Jane. I wish I had words of wisdom or advise, but I can be on hand with wine.

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      September 25, 2015 at 12:00 pm

      Thanks lovely xxx

      Reply
  2. Jean says

    September 25, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    Sorry to hear your children are hell bent on getting their money’s worth out of the NHS. If anyone deserves a weekend tipple it’s you. Hope everyone is back to full health soon x

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      September 25, 2015 at 6:41 pm

      Thanks Jean x

      Reply
  3. Kim Carberry says

    September 25, 2015 at 8:19 pm

    Oh gosh! You and your kids have really been through it! Sending love and hugs!

    Reply
  4. Jax Blunt (@liveotherwise) says

    September 26, 2015 at 6:42 am

    If a side effect of the surgery is hearing loss what is the purpose of it? (Sorry if I’m missing the point, it’s early, I’ve only had one coffee. )

    I had grommet surgery around age 7. It didn’t work. Am just in the process of reapplying for a digital hearing aid.

    Reply
  5. Sarsm says

    September 26, 2015 at 8:43 am

    Oh Jane!!!!!!!!!!
    Goddamn that bloody baton!!!!!!
    Massive hugs xxxxx

    Reply
  6. helloitsgemma says

    September 27, 2015 at 9:01 pm

    what a big, fat, pain the arse.
    You are super mum thought, you know that?

    Reply
  7. Sarah (Grenglish) says

    September 29, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    Your children are strong and resilient, as are you. I am sorry you guys can’t seem to catch a break at the moment but here’s hoping for the baton to drop soon xx

    Reply
  8. Chris says

    October 2, 2015 at 11:39 am

    Oh for goodness sake! Surely it’s time you had a break? I’m so impressed with your strength in the face of this constant barrage, you are astonishing. xxx

    Reply

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Jane is a working Mum of three and has great hair. One of these things may not be true.

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