Trains, Planes and Ambulances

Believe it or not, but after Jemma’s hospital stay our lives took on a normal tone again. Mostly because we are insistent on ignoring both children’s green, very green noses, writing it off to being a slight cold that can be treated at home with no medical intervention. And it worked until this morning when Jemma’s teacher raised her concern about her recent eating habits or lack thereof, at school. I am still wondering how to go ahead from here. It makes it easier working in a medical practice where advice is at hand. Unfortunately it usually turns out to be:”Bring her in so that we can see.”

While the children’s dad was away on a business trip, we took the liberty of driving daddy’s car! The children love the bigger, higher and presumably faster car. Mommy loves the power. Two days into our rental agreement I popped the kids in the car to take them to school. Got them strapped in and settled, only to find that it was only an illusion of power. It was dead. Not even the slightest effort from the car to make a sound at the turn of the key. As I was taking them out of the car and reloading the two irritable children already late for school, Kayleigh announced: “Yes you used Daddy’s car too much and now it is broken.” Enjoying the idea that her mom might be in trouble for a change.

Driving to school that same week, I spotted a Triumph and pointed it out to Kayleigh. She was duly impressed. I continued to inform her that it was indeed a very old car and that if we take care of our toys it can also remain in a good usable condition for a long time. Kayleigh’s response: “Do all cars turn into triangles when they are old?”

One of the doctors at our practice finds humor in the fact that one or both of my children inevitably ends up ill when we decide to go on holiday. Well our last trip away, I am glad to announce, neither children got sick! Surprisingly after all the sweets and junk food they consumed. BUT, off course we were not entitled to trip without some kind of medical intervention. This was Kayleigh’s turn – she got her fingers stuck in the lift door. Not as it was closing, but on the side as it opened. She was extremely shocked and very sore for a few hours. The hotel personnel were quick to react and the paramedics were there in minutes. Luckily the four fingers were only badly bruised and nothing broken. Kayleigh off course used this opportunity to bargain for a toy. A relieved dad and mom gave in.

Jemma perfected her habit of having to go to the loo when she is bored over the duration of the holiday. 20% of the time spent in restaurants were actually time spent looking for the restrooms, only to hear as you finally approach it, “No thank you, not pee-pee”. You can imagine our utter frustration! We resorted to asking whether she just wants to walk or actually needs the loo. Her honesty was commendable! Her tenacity admirable. It left her parents exhausted.

It was good to come back after the holiday and fall into our familiar routine, which includes a daily dose or two of discipline. At least we know what to expect from the children and they are under no illusions of what to expect from us. It is difficult to admit, as a psychologist and a mother, but I do find it easier to expect the worst from my children. (It really sounds worse than it is.) When I pick them up after school, I do not expect any good behaviour from them – I do expect them to be naughty, not to listen to me, to throw tantrums, to fight with each other and cry for sweets even if it is not a sweetie-day. Horrible? I do not think so. Inevitably they easily exceed the expectations that I set for them, and the minor hick-ups are handled as a matter of fact, and not like the end of the world. But best of all – I go to bed at night thinking of my children as little angels and even of myself as a good mom. Happy children, happy mommy.

From Hip-hip Hooray to Hospital

The week after Jemma’s birthday party had us settling into our normal routine – looking forward to a 5 day long weekend! Kayleigh was all geared up for the arrival, departure, arrival, departure, etc. of the Easter bunny over this extended weekend. (Swearing off all cheap marshmallow easter eggs.)

Things started looking different on the Thursday preceding the week of Easter weekend. Jemma developed a low grade fever which was easily remedied for the time being. Her mood could unfortunately not be altered to beaming smiles, hugs and kisses. That should have been the telling sign.

Fever again – later Thursday night. Nothing serious though. To be on the safe side we took her to our GP on Friday, especially seeing that her school phoned after developing a fever there. The doctor could not find much – a little of this and a little of that. And that was that. Leaving armed with bottles and bottles of medicine just in case any symptom should get worse. We nebulized, antibiotized and did everything possible – but Saturday things got worse. Fevers over 40° had us visiting the pediatrician Sunday morning. Same diagnosis even after x-rays to rule out pneumonia.

We went home with new medicine, believing this would be the end to this nasty bug attacking our Jem squash. Again – Not! Sunday night is a night that I do not ever want to relive – her fevers rocketed to 40.7. Her little body just could not handle it anymore. She turned over night into a little leopard with spots extending to the palms of her hands and soles of her feet. Looking down at herself, she would say – Ouch! Donkey bit me.

The donkey bite actually did happen about nine months before when her grandparents took us to feed donkeys at a sanctuary close to their home. Oupa and her dad got into some discussion and did not pay much attention to Jemma stroking the donkey in front of her. She ran out of carrots and the donkey must have mistaken her little chubby fingers as edible and really tried to take a bite! Since the incident the responsibility for pain and scaring is always placed squarely with the donkeys!

Walking in at the pediatrician’s office Monday morning – she sent us directly to our home for the next five days. Jemma had to stay in hospital to stabilize her fever and finally treat the tick bite fever, we assume came from the pony rides on her birthday! We came home on Friday – one day into the long weekend, still enough time for the easter bunny to make frequent visits and Mommy to rest before work starts up on Tuesday again.

Where was Kayleigh during all of this? Having a ball with her ouma, snuggling in with her at night and being treated like the little princess she is. Her biggest worry was not so much for her sister, but rather her mom that had to sleep in a chair next to Jemma’s bed. Off course she made the most of her experience by convincing her grandmother that seeing that her sister did not have to go to school she did not either.

Their dad is away on a business trip and will only be returning on Saturday. Needless to say I have two extra little bodies occupying my bed until he is back. But it is so nice to hear their deep breathing and sound sleeping at night without worrying about their health, knowing they are loved by so many people who prayed, visited and took care both physically and spiritually. Thank you to all of you!

The birthday present

Jemma's second birthday is around the corner on the first of April - so it's action stations planning the big day. Party, presents, family get together, birthday clothes - its a big deal OK!

Kay (who's 4 remember) turned to Lee today and matter of fact stated "I have no idea what to get for Jemma, so just buy her a present and wrap it up mommy".

We almost died laughing.