Greetings!
Judging by some of the phone calls, text messages and other communications I've been receiving, a lot of people are a bit confused about what's going on here in regards to me and these blimmin' gallstones. That's ok, to be honest I'm a bit confused myself! However I'll try my best to explain below.
99% of the time, I'm perfectly fine and going about my daily business with no pain, discomfort or anything of that sort. However at any time I can get hit by a gallstone attack, and that's what happened on Friday night and Sunday afternoon. These attacks come on within a very short space of time. Friday night I felt the first twinges about 6.30pm and had to go to A&E by 8pm, Sunday was much faster, I needed to get to A&E within 15 mins of the first hint of pain. I cannot begin to describe what this pain is like, suffice to say I would rather go through my full labour experience twice than have one 20 minute gallstone attack!
Now we know what's happening, and it's on my A&E file that I have gallstones, the proceedure on arriving at A&E seems to be the same. I generally get through triage very fast, nurse comes and sticks a cannula in my arm and gives me an anti-sickness drug and 10ml of morphine then tha pain vanishes. On Sunday I also got a shot of Buscopan and on Friday it was something else along with the morphine. Now on Friday they kept me in the EAU overnight which was a good thing as I had recurrances of the pain at 3am and again at 5am. By the next morning I was fine and discharged in the afternoon. Last night they decided not to keep me in and simply discharged me from A&E with a large amount of very strong painkillers which I ended up taking at about 11pm as I could feel discomfort as the morphine wore off. Neither of us were very happy about them discharging me so fast last night as the morphine was still at full strength and could easily have been masking the pain, plus I couldn't walk by myself as my legs felt like I'd had an epidural again!
Today I feel pretty much fine, hence me being online. The only issue I have right now is not being able to take any weight on my right arm, that's due to a failed cannula insertion last night which seems to have caused a lot of pain and means it's a bit difficult for me to pick Fin up - but I'm coping fine. I am still groggy becuase I find morphine makes me feel very drunk at first then give me what feels like a hangover for about 24 hours or so. Scott has stayed off work today as I was still very groggy this morning and also becuase he is concerned that I may have another fast relapse and doesn't want me home alone with Fin. That's also why it's been arranged that I'm with people for the next few days, so if anything happens they can get me to hospital/call an ambulance and immediately take over caring for Fin. Hopefully I will be totally fine and will just get on like normal.
Of course the question everyone is asking me is "well why aren't they doing something about this?" Well, they are doing the best they can. Annoyingly it appears that whoever was meant to refer me a month ago never did which is why I'm still waiting on the outpatient consultation. Due to these attacks this weekend I've now been told I am prioritised and will be receiving my outpatient appointment very soon. That will be to go over what options I have and, most likely, arrnage for me to have keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder.
I also keep being asked "isn't there anything you can do to stop this until your appointment?" Well, no, not really. Trust me, I've looked into this in great detail ok? You would too if you knew you could get these attacks. All I can do (and already have been doing) is keep the fat in my diet to an absolute minimum as the gallbladder is involved in breaking down fat so the less work it needs to do, the less likely an attack. Note I said LESS likely, nothing will completely stop the attacks until the stones are removed.
So there, hopefully that covers what's going on here. I will keep you all updated but for now I'm just trying to get on as normally as possible until my appointment, keep my fat intake low and look after my baby. Just remember that 99% of the time everything is completely normal and we wouldn't be twittering updates to facebook if there were problems, they are generally very short lived issues. Once that morphine has kicked in I'm perfectly fine, I was sat chatting away to Scott in A&E last night - slurring like a drunk woman though. I'll just be glad when I don't have to keep rushing in there for drugs anymore!!!
Monday, 26 October 2009
Friday, 23 October 2009
Reflections on CeeBeebies
Since Fin's birth I have started to become rather well versed in the offerings of CeeBeebies. Here are my thoughts on the shows I've seen so far.
Big & Small
This thing is just wierd, not something to put on when I'm trying to calm the little mite down. Small's squeaky voice does irritate me somewhat but the sarcasm from Big makes up for it.
Big Cook Little Cook
How can anyone possibly be as happy as these two are? Scott despises this one but I kind of like it. Small's hair cut is simply brilliant and the happiness is somewhat infectious. Some of the recipes look really good but others (yesterday's "Marrow Telescope" as an obvious example) are lacking rather.
Chuggington
I would like to think that Fin will gro up smart enough to be able to pick up the moral of a story without it being rammed down his throat like this show feels the need to do. Add in the catchphrase "Train-Tastic!!!" and it's one of the few shows I'll actively switch off if it comes on.
Come Outside
They're still showing this??? I watched this as akid (I'm sure the big shaggy dog had nothing to do with why mum out it on...) I do find it really irritating now though so I try to avoid it.
Get Squiggling
It's called a crayon, NOT a "Squigglestick", irritated me no end.
I Can Cook
Not much to it, but nice and chilled out. It's fun to watch the kids attempting to cook and also to not look revolted when they have to eat the veggies at the end of some episodes!
In the Night Garden
Ahh where would we be without this one? The only show currently series linked on our Sky+ box, it's often nice and effective at sending Fin to sleep. Definately my favourite of the lot.
Louie
Let's draw the most random things we can think of. Most kids I know want to know how to draw a house or a cat, not storks and stagecoaches... Bizzare in the extreme.
Mama Mirabelle
Not overly offensive to my brain but something about the voices really irks me.
Mister Maker
I'm guessing this has replaced Smart and made it more upbeat for today's kids? I really like this one as it's creative, I actually want to make some of the things in the show (although not the fish tank made from a plastic box and scouring pads...?!?!) I get the feeling once Fin is old enough to participate I will have a house full of odd pieces of artwork made from household objects and torn paper. I'd be happy if the Shapes bit was removed, that song is really annoying.
Nina & The Neurons
I like that there's a show based on science, although I feel the neurons themselves were pretty superfluous to the show. Really liked it when I saw a proper experiment being done at the start of te episode I was watching, reminded me of the old RI Christmas Lectures!
Numberjacks
What the flipping hell is going on here? Just what were the writers smoking when they came up with this nonsense? I watched this as Vikki & Simon had mentioned how non-sensical it is and I had to see if for myself. "Oh no! If all the 4s become 7s catastrophes will occur!" What is with the rubbish supervillain too? "The Puzzler" (in no way a rip off of The Joker - not at all...)
Show Me Show Me
Quick! Somebody hand me a rifle pronto.... BANG! My God this is the most irritating piece of crap I have ever seen. Sadly I think there's a good premise in there somewhere, but do kids really need a TV show to help them play with their toys? This gets switched off as fast as I can find the remote.
Something Special
Feels a little bit worthy, especially the opening sequence, but I like that there's a show teachign sign language. I find it interesting myself too as I actually get to learn something from this, not knowing sign language myself. I could happily see Mr Tumble tumble down a well never to be seen again though, may have something to do with him being very clown like - I don't do clowns.
Space Pirates
Not showing at the moment much to my chagrin, I would turn this on even before I was pregnant. I know Wendy doesn't like it much but I find it hilarious and love the totaly random pieces of music it introduces.
Timmy Time
Not quite as good as Shaun the Sheep but it's still Aardman so it's still very good. The theme tune was in my head for days the first time I saw it!
Waybuloo
Scott calls this the druggie show cos of the Pipling's enormous eyes. I like the yoga sequences but how some of the poses are supposed to resemble their names I cannot fathom. What precisely is "big roary thing"? I do find the children annoying in several episodes!
Big & Small
This thing is just wierd, not something to put on when I'm trying to calm the little mite down. Small's squeaky voice does irritate me somewhat but the sarcasm from Big makes up for it.
Big Cook Little Cook
How can anyone possibly be as happy as these two are? Scott despises this one but I kind of like it. Small's hair cut is simply brilliant and the happiness is somewhat infectious. Some of the recipes look really good but others (yesterday's "Marrow Telescope" as an obvious example) are lacking rather.
Chuggington
I would like to think that Fin will gro up smart enough to be able to pick up the moral of a story without it being rammed down his throat like this show feels the need to do. Add in the catchphrase "Train-Tastic!!!" and it's one of the few shows I'll actively switch off if it comes on.
Come Outside
They're still showing this??? I watched this as akid (I'm sure the big shaggy dog had nothing to do with why mum out it on...) I do find it really irritating now though so I try to avoid it.
Get Squiggling
It's called a crayon, NOT a "Squigglestick", irritated me no end.
I Can Cook
Not much to it, but nice and chilled out. It's fun to watch the kids attempting to cook and also to not look revolted when they have to eat the veggies at the end of some episodes!
In the Night Garden
Ahh where would we be without this one? The only show currently series linked on our Sky+ box, it's often nice and effective at sending Fin to sleep. Definately my favourite of the lot.
Louie
Let's draw the most random things we can think of. Most kids I know want to know how to draw a house or a cat, not storks and stagecoaches... Bizzare in the extreme.
Mama Mirabelle
Not overly offensive to my brain but something about the voices really irks me.
Mister Maker
I'm guessing this has replaced Smart and made it more upbeat for today's kids? I really like this one as it's creative, I actually want to make some of the things in the show (although not the fish tank made from a plastic box and scouring pads...?!?!) I get the feeling once Fin is old enough to participate I will have a house full of odd pieces of artwork made from household objects and torn paper. I'd be happy if the Shapes bit was removed, that song is really annoying.
Nina & The Neurons
I like that there's a show based on science, although I feel the neurons themselves were pretty superfluous to the show. Really liked it when I saw a proper experiment being done at the start of te episode I was watching, reminded me of the old RI Christmas Lectures!
Numberjacks
What the flipping hell is going on here? Just what were the writers smoking when they came up with this nonsense? I watched this as Vikki & Simon had mentioned how non-sensical it is and I had to see if for myself. "Oh no! If all the 4s become 7s catastrophes will occur!" What is with the rubbish supervillain too? "The Puzzler" (in no way a rip off of The Joker - not at all...)
Show Me Show Me
Quick! Somebody hand me a rifle pronto.... BANG! My God this is the most irritating piece of crap I have ever seen. Sadly I think there's a good premise in there somewhere, but do kids really need a TV show to help them play with their toys? This gets switched off as fast as I can find the remote.
Something Special
Feels a little bit worthy, especially the opening sequence, but I like that there's a show teachign sign language. I find it interesting myself too as I actually get to learn something from this, not knowing sign language myself. I could happily see Mr Tumble tumble down a well never to be seen again though, may have something to do with him being very clown like - I don't do clowns.
Space Pirates
Not showing at the moment much to my chagrin, I would turn this on even before I was pregnant. I know Wendy doesn't like it much but I find it hilarious and love the totaly random pieces of music it introduces.
Timmy Time
Not quite as good as Shaun the Sheep but it's still Aardman so it's still very good. The theme tune was in my head for days the first time I saw it!
Waybuloo
Scott calls this the druggie show cos of the Pipling's enormous eyes. I like the yoga sequences but how some of the poses are supposed to resemble their names I cannot fathom. What precisely is "big roary thing"? I do find the children annoying in several episodes!
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Monday, 28 September 2009
First Week with Finlay
Finlay James Malcolm Brown arrived at 11.45am last Monday (21st Sept) weighing 8lb 3oz. That's exactly 1 year and 1 day after our wedding, I'm thrilled!
It's been a very traumatic week for me. The birth didn't go as I'd hoped because when I was admitted in labour they found I was running a very high temperature and had to continuously minitor me and Fin throughout, cutting out most of my natural water birth hopes immediately. Fin's heart rate kept dropping very low so we had doctors regularly checking us and a student midwife with us at all times to watch the machine, c-section was also mentioned early on. I managed a very long time just using paracetamol and gas & air but eventually had to have an epidural as it got too painful and I was only 4cm. Managed to avoid the section but had to have a ventouse delivery so that made it all a bit worse and means I'll take longer to heal up.
Got out of hospital about 9/10pm on the Tuesday night but was feeling realy bad all Weds and Thurs with increasing back pain and a pain near my ribs. Thurs evening it got excruciating so we had to call Scott's parents to come and watch Fin whilst Scott rushed me to A&E and I was given an enormous syringe of morphine. Initially they thought it might be an effect of the epidural so I was taken back to maternity and given some stupid diagnoses (bad posture... ) before they noticed something strange on a blood test to do with liver function. I was kept in overnight and on Friday afternoon they found I had gallstones. I was kept in another night for obs and came home Saturday with a new diet which means I can have practically no fat, very difficult for me! I have an appointment with a surgeon in 6 weeks to talk through my options but will most likely have keyhole surgery to remove my gall bladder to prevent any recurrances.
I'm sure you can imagine just how stressful this has been for us all, not only having a new baby but having this straight on top of it. Being in hospital 2 nights without Fin was agonising as I was in the baby blues phase and struggling to come to terms with everything. He made it very easy for me by being an angel for his grandparents and not crying when they had to take him away in the evenings.
It's been a very traumatic week for me. The birth didn't go as I'd hoped because when I was admitted in labour they found I was running a very high temperature and had to continuously minitor me and Fin throughout, cutting out most of my natural water birth hopes immediately. Fin's heart rate kept dropping very low so we had doctors regularly checking us and a student midwife with us at all times to watch the machine, c-section was also mentioned early on. I managed a very long time just using paracetamol and gas & air but eventually had to have an epidural as it got too painful and I was only 4cm. Managed to avoid the section but had to have a ventouse delivery so that made it all a bit worse and means I'll take longer to heal up.
Got out of hospital about 9/10pm on the Tuesday night but was feeling realy bad all Weds and Thurs with increasing back pain and a pain near my ribs. Thurs evening it got excruciating so we had to call Scott's parents to come and watch Fin whilst Scott rushed me to A&E and I was given an enormous syringe of morphine. Initially they thought it might be an effect of the epidural so I was taken back to maternity and given some stupid diagnoses (bad posture... ) before they noticed something strange on a blood test to do with liver function. I was kept in overnight and on Friday afternoon they found I had gallstones. I was kept in another night for obs and came home Saturday with a new diet which means I can have practically no fat, very difficult for me! I have an appointment with a surgeon in 6 weeks to talk through my options but will most likely have keyhole surgery to remove my gall bladder to prevent any recurrances.
I'm sure you can imagine just how stressful this has been for us all, not only having a new baby but having this straight on top of it. Being in hospital 2 nights without Fin was agonising as I was in the baby blues phase and struggling to come to terms with everything. He made it very easy for me by being an angel for his grandparents and not crying when they had to take him away in the evenings.
Friday, 18 September 2009
The Nursery
I finally got around to photographing the nursery and here's the proof! Have a look around...
1. The entrance to the room. Those drawers are temporary, eventually they'll move into our room and swap places with the cot which is in there now for the first 6 months or so. Pic is a cartoon lithograph of Cinderella Castle surrounded by Disney characters and "autographed" by them all at he bottom. Also visable is Bean's laundry basket.
2. Bookcase which is mainly housing Scott's books at the moment. Second shelf down is all Bean's books and our Harry Potter collection is on the top along with more toys. I've changed the bottom shelf a bit now, it has some wooden jigsaws there.
3. Changing table, all neat and tidy - that won't last! The baskets contain nappies, cotton wool, wipes, muslins an other random bits like dummys and talc. You can just see the bouncy seat propped up on the left. Those cuddly toys won't be staying, they're just there for decoration until we start actually using the thing. Picture needs to go up on the wall when we get around to it but might get replaced quite soon.
4. The wardrobe with height chart stickers on the side. It's a kiddy size one so I can actually reach up on top of it! There's a big box of Lego on top which Bean will have once he's a lot older and some other toys like Mr Potato Heads and a school in a boot (of course...) Wardrobe has some clothes hanging in it on one side and bits like the baby monitor and my breast pump in there for now. The shelves have more baskets with all the clothes he's too little for yet and the drawers have his bedding and more nappies.
5. The nursery from the door. The drawers have all his current clothes, bibs etc in them. There's a Farthing Wood clock on the wall and toy animals on the windowsill with some picture frames that need more appropriate prints in them, still got the old ones from Leeds in there. Moses basket is just on the floor for now, all wired up with the breathing monitor in place, fresh bedding and new mattress.
1. The entrance to the room. Those drawers are temporary, eventually they'll move into our room and swap places with the cot which is in there now for the first 6 months or so. Pic is a cartoon lithograph of Cinderella Castle surrounded by Disney characters and "autographed" by them all at he bottom. Also visable is Bean's laundry basket.
2. Bookcase which is mainly housing Scott's books at the moment. Second shelf down is all Bean's books and our Harry Potter collection is on the top along with more toys. I've changed the bottom shelf a bit now, it has some wooden jigsaws there.
3. Changing table, all neat and tidy - that won't last! The baskets contain nappies, cotton wool, wipes, muslins an other random bits like dummys and talc. You can just see the bouncy seat propped up on the left. Those cuddly toys won't be staying, they're just there for decoration until we start actually using the thing. Picture needs to go up on the wall when we get around to it but might get replaced quite soon.
4. The wardrobe with height chart stickers on the side. It's a kiddy size one so I can actually reach up on top of it! There's a big box of Lego on top which Bean will have once he's a lot older and some other toys like Mr Potato Heads and a school in a boot (of course...) Wardrobe has some clothes hanging in it on one side and bits like the baby monitor and my breast pump in there for now. The shelves have more baskets with all the clothes he's too little for yet and the drawers have his bedding and more nappies.
5. The nursery from the door. The drawers have all his current clothes, bibs etc in them. There's a Farthing Wood clock on the wall and toy animals on the windowsill with some picture frames that need more appropriate prints in them, still got the old ones from Leeds in there. Moses basket is just on the floor for now, all wired up with the breathing monitor in place, fresh bedding and new mattress.
Thursday, 17 September 2009
An Open Letter...
Dear Body,
At this point, I have a fairly good idea, actually make that a very good idea, what a contraction is. I've done the classes and I've lost count of the false labours and Braxton Hicks. I do not need any more "practice" contractions. I especially do not need them:
a) when having my dinner in a restaurant
b) in the car heading AWAY from the hospital
c) in ASDA
Next time we do the whole "contraction" thing, please can we do it for real? We both know what one feels like and don't need to practice anymore ok?
Thank you,
Xxx
At this point, I have a fairly good idea, actually make that a very good idea, what a contraction is. I've done the classes and I've lost count of the false labours and Braxton Hicks. I do not need any more "practice" contractions. I especially do not need them:
a) when having my dinner in a restaurant
b) in the car heading AWAY from the hospital
c) in ASDA
Next time we do the whole "contraction" thing, please can we do it for real? We both know what one feels like and don't need to practice anymore ok?
Thank you,
Xxx
Friday, 4 September 2009
Calm Before the Storm???
These past two days have been pretty unbeliveable. I've had more energy than I've had in the past two weeks added together and I've barely experienced any pain at all.
Today I almost finished off the scrapping room/office - just a few bits and pieces to find homes for. I also made scrapbook pages (digital ones - not feeling upto getting all my traditional stuff out yet), baked a cake, made up Bean's moses basket ready for him coming home, bought mum's Disney tickets and ordered Scott's anniversary card and present - phew!
Yesterday I got all mum's holiday paperwork in order, downloaded and organised a ton of digital scrapbook kits, scrapbooked and printed off copies of every birth, marriage and death certificate that mum doesn't have so she's fully up to date with the family tree.
It's crazy how much I'm getting done and I wonder if this is the infamous "nesting instinct"? I wondered if I'd spot anything like that as I've done little but tidy and organise since we've moved in, but these last few days there does seem to be a major increase in my activity. For now I'm just making the most of having plenty of energy, sleeping well and getting lots done.
Today I almost finished off the scrapping room/office - just a few bits and pieces to find homes for. I also made scrapbook pages (digital ones - not feeling upto getting all my traditional stuff out yet), baked a cake, made up Bean's moses basket ready for him coming home, bought mum's Disney tickets and ordered Scott's anniversary card and present - phew!
Yesterday I got all mum's holiday paperwork in order, downloaded and organised a ton of digital scrapbook kits, scrapbooked and printed off copies of every birth, marriage and death certificate that mum doesn't have so she's fully up to date with the family tree.
It's crazy how much I'm getting done and I wonder if this is the infamous "nesting instinct"? I wondered if I'd spot anything like that as I've done little but tidy and organise since we've moved in, but these last few days there does seem to be a major increase in my activity. For now I'm just making the most of having plenty of energy, sleeping well and getting lots done.
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