Dear Doctor

Dear Medical Professional, You will ask about his medical history, And I will repeat the story I have told 100 times or more, The details fine tuned to the essentials I know you need: He was born full term, He has a 7 year old brother who is fit and well, He is allergic to penicillin.  You will ask me what happened, And I will answer: He is 6 years old. He wasn't breathing for 7 minutes. I gave him mouth to mouth. I will hand over a careful typed piece of A4 paper. It will tell you his hospital number, The things he is allergic to, A list of medications and doses. You will take it and smile. You'll tell me I make your job easier. I will stand calm, And in control.  You see my demeanour, my hospital bags packed and ready, And you say, You've done this before. I'll nod and say many times. But remember this; That 6 year old is my baby. That boy with the oxygen, And the wires, And the tubes, Is my son. I watched him turn bl

The Big Build - Disaster Strikes


Morrisons café appears to be my go-to place when I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown, I think. Having come close to bursting into tears again after discovering not only woodworm but damp in the house I figured it was best to get away and find some perspective. Ordinarily I wouldn't leave the house with Hugh the day after being discharged from hospital but the sound of the circular saw screeching as it ripped through the floorboards in my bedroom was upsetting him too much, as well as setting my teeth on edge, so we left in a hurry. As it is, he is sat opposite me snoozing contentedly while his pump feeds him a milky lunch and I munch on a cheese and onion toastie. 

 
The platitudes that I usually console myself with "it'll all be worth it in the end" and "at least we found it now and not when the job was finished" aren't having the desired effect and I had to strongly suppress the urge to scream. In truth, I'm feeling a little hard done by. This never happens on DIY SOS. 

 
So, in an effort to redress the balance and stop myself sulking like a child, I'm working on some reasons to be cheerful and I'll return home with renewed positivity. 

 

1.    Our carpenter. Most of the people helping on this Big Build are friends we've known for years. Stephen grew up with most of them. Some of these friendships have lasted 40 years (yes he really is THAT old!). What they're doing is amazing but they're fuelled by a lifetime of friendship. Not so for Neil- he only entered our lives after the reception teacher encouraged our sons to be friends 3 years ago. Despite knowing us such a relatively short time, he has worked tirelessly to get our house back to a more inhabitable condition. He's there now, while I'm sulking in Morrisons. He's there more than I am, I reckon. And whilst he might take the piss out of me for not making enough cups of tea and he can be quite annoying after a few beers, we really couldn't have done this without him. 


 
2.    Hugh's home from hospital and pretty healthy considering. Sometimes when Hugh's had a bad run of seizures he can be groggy and off colour for days. Instead he's full of beans and really happy. It means I can leave the house with him quite easily. And when we need to evacuate the house for a few hours while woodworm treatment commences tomorrow, this won't be an issue as he's ready to go back to school anyway. 
Happy to be home from hospital
 
3.    So far (I really shouldn't jinx it like this) but Sean's and Hugh's bedrooms have remained unaffected. Hugh's bedroom is his sanctuary. His favourite place in the world is his bed. It's because of this we've resisted moving out to my mum’s while the building work is carried out.  (Well that and the fact it would be a nightmare to get the kids to school in the morning from her house). He can still chill out and listen to his music and watch his bubble tube and his flashing disco lights. Having this space keeps him calm, keeps him happy. And I'm grateful for that.

 
4.    Sean's room has bunk beds and the bottom can either be a double bed or a settee. Lately it's been serving as our living room/dining room. We eat our dinner in there, Sean does his homework in there and we play cards in the evening in there. Yes, cards!!! We have no TV at the moment as the aerial is disconnected. It's a bit like living in the olden days! It's been quite fun actually and Sean has loved learning new card games. Tonight, with no floorboards in our bedroom, we can pull it out into a double bed and we'll still have somewhere to sleep. That's something to be thankful for. 
Does this count as 'sitting down to eat together as a family'?

5.    There's a curry in the slow cooker and wine in the fridge. Thursday evening sorted. 

 
So, positive mental attitude resurrected, I'm able to face the mess and the chaos that awaits.
 
I think. 

 
Or maybe not ... *goes off to cry*
 

Comments

  1. Oh dear, I have all this to come (sort of) as we have changes made to the house for my hubby. I'm glad you have somewhere to go, and I hope the work, still to do, isn't too horrific x

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  2. Oh wow.. that is a lot of work being done! but will be worth it. Thank goodness for Morrsions cafe! Also thank goodness for slow cookers and wine! hugs

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  3. Oh gosh, that is a lot to contend with! I'm glad you have your sanctuary in the cafe and that the work gets finished soon. Thanks for linking up with #SSAmazingAchievements

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