It's been a while, but I have been busy!
First up, big news is Lucy. We took her for another CT scan and on the basis of her results her physiotherapy was stopped and we were told to leave her collar on all the time. This could only mean that she was getting worse. We didn't get seen by the consultant though and were left in the dark as to what was going on. So I called PALS and told them my concerns. They finally pushed the consultant into finding a space in his busy day to see us. But first we had to take Lucy for yet another CT scan. After this one she was called in immediately and the consultant said it was time to get her sorted and booked her into the theatre for a manipulation.
We were told that there would be a possibility of her being fitted with a halo brace. This consists of a plastic vest with a sheepskin lining which is bolted on to her body and a carbon ring around her head which is attached by screws into her skull. The ring, or halo is attached to the vest by metal poles. The whole contraption is a form of moveable traction. It keeps the neck perfectly straight at all times.
We were told that the halo was a possibility, that is all.
She came back from theatre wearing a halo.
She was in hospital for a week and was quite poorly at first. I think the anaesthetic made her so sick and sleepy. After a couple of days though she was much brighter and even got out of bed. By the third day she was walking around and going to the toilet. She was amazing really.
Since being home she has coped really well, it took some getting used to at first, and some sleepless nights, but things are relatively normal now.
In other news, we are all settled in the new house now. It's really beginning to feel like home. It was hard getting used to all the space, and I have to admit, it's taken me some time to get used to all the cleaning, but getting used to it all is what I am doing.
Cassie has a job! It's only an apprenticeship, but it's with the NHS so fingers crossed there may be a future in it. She's certainly putting everything in to it. Much better than any job or work experience she has had before.
Graham brought a bike which is great because now he can pop to his mum's house at least a couple of times a week without spending any money on bus fare. Well, I guess it's an improvement on 5 times a day. I spoke another mum in the playground the other day, bearing in mind that I've only known her a couple of months, and she asked where Graham was and I said he'd gone to his mum's, straight away she replied, he goes there a lot doesn't he? Ah nothing changes!
Less than a week to Christmas and I'm really looking forward to it in our new home. I love the fact that we can put the Christmas tree up and not have to block any doors off, or limit our space. What I don't love is not having a fireplace or even a window sill in my living room. I have lots of decorations that used to adorn my fireplace and windowsill in my old house. It will be lovely having the room to eat our Christmas dinner around the dining room table, and the kids will be able to play with their toys without us tripping up over them. We are having a party the weekend after Christmas and I'm really looking forward to that. I just hope enough people turn up.
Of course, this time of year my thoughts turn to my mum and the events leading to her passing on Christmas day five years ago. I have planned to visit the cemetery on Christmas eve as usual and I will light a candle for her on Christmas day. I can hardly believe it's been five years!
Merry Christmas to all my readers xx
