More than just a bag lady

Last week was brilliant. But boy am I paying for it now. I am exhausted. Bone achingly tired. I  spent most of Sunday in bed, but luckily my parents were still here so they kept the kids entertained and Mum whipped up Sunday lunch for us all and Dad did the washing up.  By the time I woke up yesterday Hubby had left for work and Big Girl was already awake. Big Fella had come into our bed in the night after having a nightmare and so hubby had ended up sleeping in his mid sleeper as he's such a wriggler. I was surprised to find Big Fella was still lying next to me but he was watching a video on his iPad which helps him to stay still for more than a minute!  His blonde hair was all messy which has earnt him the nickname of Boris Johnson amongst family and friends.  After nagging the kids about the state of their rooms I thought I had better practice what I preach so I spent the morning tidying my room which translates as picking up a few things off the floor, then lying...

It's been Big Girls birthday this week and I couldn't help but think of how different this year was to last.  Last year I was in St Marks hospital after having had my pouch formed in mid July 2013. I was in a bad way as I'd had infections, complications and was struggling with hydration issues. I was so poorly I wasn't even well enough to leave the ward so it meant that she had to come to the hospital. On her birthday.  I felt as though I had totally failed as a mother. I had already been in hospital for Big Fella's birthday earlier in 2013 but managed a few hours day release. I felt that no child should ever have to spend the day in a hospital on their birthday.  Hubby and I asked her what she wanted to do on her special day. I didn't want to make her come into the hospital if she didn't want to and even though I would be heartbroken if I didn't see her I was willing to do that to make her happy.  She decided she wanted to come and see me in the morning...

I've just got back from my holidays. It's been two of the best weeks I've had for a very long time. The first week was spent in Devon with Hubby's family and the second in Cornwall just the four of us. The sun shone every day but it wasn't so hot that I couldn't cope with it. We were so lucky as it meant that we got to spend lots of time on the beach building sandcastles, flying kites, body boarding and playing boules.  Week 1 was spent in a caravan in Woolacombe. I had never been there before but some of the school mums had recommended it to me and we weren't disappointed. Although the site was a bit hilly, it did mean that you had great views of the beach and out to sea. I would definitely stay there again. They were really helpful with regards to my 'medical condition'. They put a second fridge into the caravan free of charge to store my TPN fluids and when I had to get an emergency delivery of supplies they took the delivery at reception and then...

I'm Natalie's friend Sara - previously referred to in this blog as the woman who scared a car full of people with my terrible driving & lack of basic knowledge of car buttons and thingamajigs.  I'm also the same person who threw up continuously when my husband trod on some open scissors and asked me to get the first aid box from the car. Poor man had to hop to the car and get it himself and pull the scissors out. I also traumatised numerous children once when my son cut his head open and I ran hysterically through the school, with blood spurting everywhere. A member of staff stemmed the small but gushing cut with one finger and all was calm again. Now why didn't I think of that!  You get the picture, not the best person to rely on in an emergency! But if you are Natalie's friend, then it's highly likely you will have witnessed her fall very ill at one time or another and she will have needed help. On several occasions, her calm and collected friends have not...