Battle of the bulges

It's been a rough week. Little Ben was poorly last week, had bad diarrhoae last Thursday. This cleared up by Friday afternoon but Ben still wasn't 100%. He wasn't sleeping well and Thursday, Friday nights we had to seperate Ben & Harry, because Ben kept waking up and waking Harry. They are in adjacent cots so it is difficult when one is not well.

Monday came and Ben was really not happy. He had a right crying/screaming fit Monday lunch time and in the end I had to call for help from Carols parents as I really needed a break. Whilst Nanny was cuddling Ben I noticed that his neck behind his right ear was badly swollen, so we got an appointment with the Doctor and took him down there for 4pm. After waiting 40 minutes past our appointment time, we eventually got to see the Doctor, who for legal reasons I won't name. He was utterly useless and after giving Ben a brief once over said' Well I have never seen anything like that before, I don't think it is anything to worry about. If it gets any worse in the next few days come back and see me.'

When we got home and got Ben ready for his bath we noticed that he had a second bulge around his right arm pit.

So we took him down to Winchester A&E - praise the lord it was totally empty !!! and we were seen straight away. Ben was refered to the childrens ward in the same hospital and we went straight there.

The Doctors had a good look at him, decided to admit him over night. They prepped both his hands with a numbing gel ready for a IV line.

I went home got an overnight bag for Ben and Carol and came back in time to find Ben screaming his head off. Due to the number of injections he had when he was in the neonatal ward the vains in the back of his hands are useless now for putting a line in. So the Doctor had tried with both hands without any joy. She then tried his foot which is when I came back into the room. I had to pin Ben down on the bed whilst she tried to get the vain on his right foot. Ben screamed the place down and it was all very distressing. There is nothing worse in the world then seeing your baby in pain.

Eventually the Doctor got the line in and Ben then had some very strong antibiotics. Carol stayed in overnight and the next day I went back to hospital to join them. Early in the morning Ben went for a sonagram and they checked out the bulges. That specialist was happy that there was nothing worse than an infection in the glands in his neck and armpit.

Next came the Ear Nose and Throat Doctor, who examined him around midday. He thought it was just an infection as well, but wanted to check with his consultant.

Four hours later after much chasing, the ENT Doc and his consultant returned and the consultant agreed, just an infection. (Well that was worth the wait !!!)

It was decided to keep Ben on the antibiotics for the next 7 days and we were allowed home. We have to go back each day now for the next week (or less depending on how quick he recovers) for his med's. This should take approx 30 mins to administer and then we can go back home again.

So he has his foot all bandaged up to ensure that the drip line stays in. He is much better this morning, laughing and playing and the bulge is a lot less swollen.

Here is little Ben, taken last night when we had just got home from hospital. He was exhausted, with little sleep and feeling very sorry for himself.



Harry is fine I am glad to say. He still doesn't have any teeth yet. But he is trying to grow them. Here is a photo of him the other day, his little cheeks are bright red - a sure sign that his teeth are on their way.