Sorry. I'm back, we're back. To continue our adventures, our story.
I won't bore you with the recap of the past four months, you'll catch up. Just know that we are all well and in a good place.
So on with the story.
This job was always done by a nurse. I avoided it at all costs, too squeamish (wimpy I know) but also the fact that he once pulled it out by himself and then it refused to go back in firmly boxed off any chance I had of going near it.
However, given I am often on my own with him and he has a taste for getting hold of his button and/or feeding tube I thought it was about time I come face to face with my nemesis.
So here I was at 3.15pm in school looking at a pretend baby doll that has had a really rough start in life. I mean that baby has a tracheostomy, a cannula, a peg and some other hole in the poor things stomach. Also, small child, the curious four year old enquires about each and every added extra that appears on the babies body. I swear by the time she's 10 she will have the knowledge of a first year medic student.
Pretend doll didn't play along, the peg wouldn't go back in, things did not bode well.
We move over to real child who was very happily chilling on the floor listeining to music having been very unimpressed with the school visitor, subject matter being gardening.
I get the peg out okay, by this point Zack is highly amused at my attempt to not butcher his stomach and does not co-operate by lying in a relaxed manner as I shakily went in for the placement of the PEG. Would it go in? My arse it would, nope it kept wobbling and bending all over the shop. Which only increased Zack's capacity for laughter and my inability to get over my fear of pushing on.
In the end I quit and the nurse popped it in.
Epic fail. I flunked my first attempt. I didn't even flunk my drivers test first time and all this is is putting a small plastic tube into a hole. Oh, did I mention it's only a hole that goes directly into my child's stomach. No pressure then.
Agreement was that I have another go in three months time.
I came home with both children and told Dan about my flunking of the button change. By the way, he has successfully completed his training no problem.
Yeah I thought you might find it difficult was his first response. You kind of have to wiggle it about. You'll get it though.
Yep, I'll get it. But for now Nurse Gould, if that button comes out, you're up.
3 comments:
So delighted to see an update. Good luck for attempt no.2 in a few months time!
Hi Linzi
I only came across your blog yesterday. So much of what you write resonates with me. My five-year-old, Thomas, has severe cerebral palsy as a result of birth injury at term. It would be impossible for us to love Thomas more than we do but as you know only too well, life can be challenging and worrying. Like you, I lost my wonderful mum extremely suddenly last Summer. She adored Thomas, used to cuddle him all the time as well and was always optimistic about his future. I too miss giving her updates on the little pieces of progress (huge to us) that our boy has made. I hope you manage to find time to let us know how you are all getting on. Although we don't know each other, it feels as if we do, in a way. Anne Haley
Dear Anne
Thank you for your comment. I completely understand the sadness behind not being able to share those massive moments you have with your boy. I hope that you are all well, I am trying to find time to write again. Hopefully I can now that both children are at school. But thank you, it's kind of you to take the time to leave a comment. xxx
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