Latest from a Far from Well Family

The weather after the snowfall was really miserable for the rest of the week. Conditions were icy and very windy making it extremely unpleasant to be outside with all the dust and pollen. By the following Monday conditions were slightly improved with the temperature getting up to 23. When Diane and I fetched the boys from school Travis was not well and had a temperature. Tuesday was really miserable and overcast again and we kept the boys at home as they both had upset stomachs and Travis was also coughing badly. We took them to the Dr. who gave medicine for the stomachs and for Travis whose asthma was bad again. The rest of the day was spent keeping them amused and dosing them up. Wednesday they were home again and Diane and I were kept very busy looking after them – dirty nappy after dirty nappy is not a pleasant task at all. Diane spent ages cutting out and sticking pictures with Travis while I was busy with Josh. Wednesday night Ali was very ill and Hubby took her to the hospital where she was admitted. Medication she had been given shouldn’t have been given and had destroyed her appetite. When admitted she was anorexic and her liver and kidneys were on the point of packing up. Thursday the boys were well enough to go back to school and Diane and I tried to clear all that had been left since Monday. By now Ali couldn’t keep any food down and had been put on a drip. After collecting the boys I fed them and bathed them ready for bed. Josh went down and Travis stayed with Hubby while Diane and I went through to visit Ali who was very ill still. When we got back we were exhausted and were soon in bed. Friday Ali was still not able to keep food down and she was given a sonar scan. The results they gave on Saturday were that she had a bowel infection which they were now treating. The Dr had seen something he was not happy with though and said she would have a scope on the Sunday. After Hubby got back from the hospital we all went to a Fun Day at Malonjeni - a guest farm not too far from us. There was a display by the fire department which Travis thoroughly enjoyed. After having some lunch Josh was not feeling too well with a runny nose so we left for home.

Hubby went back to the hospital while we stayed with the boys. Sunday Josh had a temperature and was very miserable. Hubby went through to be with Ali for her scope. She was kept waiting until early afternoon before being told it would only happen on Monday. Hubby came home and went back later with Travis as Ali was missing the boys. Josh was too sick to go. We had another early night after exhausting ourselves with sick boys. Luckily by Monday Josh was a lot better though he still had a runny nose and both their stomachs were finally back to normal. Thank goodness Travis is past the nappy stage. Monday Hubby went in early to be with Ali before she had her scope. Eventually at three in the afternoon - after no food or drink for the entire time – she was taken through. When she came out Hubby was informed that her appendix had been removed as they had been on the point of bursting and they had taken a sample for a biopsy. Poor Ali! The first thing that happened when she came round was she started vomiting again and she had been so looking forward to having a cheddermelt steak. Diane and I went through to see her that night after putting Josh to bed and leaving Travis with Hubby. The poor girl was still vomiting and unable to eat. She really looked terrible. Diane and I spent time with her before leaving and stopping at Spur for a snack and coffee. We were home just before nine where I was horrified to find Travis still awake. After bathing I took him to bed where he soon fell asleep. On Tuesday Alison was finally diagnosed with Crohns Disease and given a special diet to follow. Diane and I finished statements on Tuesday and Wednesday went in to Alberton where we visited Ali again. She was still on a drip but looking a lot better now that she was eating again. The weather luckily was warming up again. The winter bedding was off and the summer back on. Thursday was Spring Day at the nursery school and we were able to dress the boys up in bright shirts and shorts. Ali came home lunch time and insisted on going shopping to get a present ready for Travis’s birthday. She overdid things and fell quite ill by the time we got home after collecting the boys who were absolutely thrilled to see her. By now I was starting to feel clogged up – little ones don’t know not to cough in your face when you are dealing with them. Ali was not able to pick the boys up so I was still doing most things for them though she did feed Josh. Friday Travis was up very early in anticipation of his birthday and thrilled with his presents. We went through to the school with cake and sweets for his class about nine. Saturday I woke up with my face swollen and a tight chest and spent most of the day coughing. Luckily friends of Ali came to visit and helped her with the boys as I didn’t want to infect them. Saturday night was terrible as every time I moved in bed I had a coughing fit. Sunday I woke up with my face very swollen right down into my neck. I stayed in bed trying to feel better and dosed myself up. Diane was also feeling quite ill with sinus. Hubby helped look after the boys for the day. Sunday night was another night spent trying not to move and bring on a coughing fit. Monday Diane and I took Ali to Alberton with Josh who was having an impression of his feet done to bronze. We stayed with Josh while Hubby took Ali to get her staples out. Once we were finished we stopped at the chemist to get medicine for Diane and I before returning home. The rest of the week was spent dosing up – which didn’t help – and helping Ali with the boys. Both of us were too sick to do anything. I have never had sinus this bad and never for so long. On Thursday Diane and I went to a Bodytalk Practitioner who gave us herbal medication after treating us. It is only today - Sunday - that I am finally starting to feel better. The sharp pain of infection in my head is finally gone and I have At Last stopped coughing so much. Diane is also felling a lot better.
Well that is all from the Poor Sick Family. Now that we are feeling more normal and the weather is so good we can get back to our usual daily lives.