#1417 Saturday 3 December

After that last entry, she didn't wake again and she's still asleep at 7:30am.

Later:   she got up at around 8:30 and just relaxed with her iPhone.  How would we cope without iPhones?  They have been a magical help with Kaylia's autism ..... in the absence of the iPhone, she would turn to us to occupy her mind.  For an NT child, imagination works to do this ..... but without imagination, she looks for an artificial mind filler.

 

Midday:  Joe has messaged to say that she's had a good morning with the brace on and she's having an HJ reward.

Now .... there's something else we couldn't have coped without ..... all the wonderful people who have stayed with us as aupairs over the years.

Evening:  It's been all hands on deck to do preparations for the staff Christmas party.

#1416 Friday 2 December

Ooooo wot a night!!! She didn't sleep till 2am.  Naomi took first shift till 11:30 .... I slept from 7pm to 11:30..... then Naomi slept and I handled it till she finally gave in at 2am.   A large factor in this stellar performance is .... we suspect .... the dreaded constipation.  She is on iron tablets for low iron levels .... and the codeine for pain from the tooth .... both these have a side effect of constipation.   This morning it will be a visit to the chemist to find an "unblocker".

The discomfort from the constipation is prducing anxiety behaviour .... she's fixated on "Bali" .....  

9:25pm  The pattern from last night is repeating .... except that it's not pain or constipation .... she is wanting attention .... she wails for a period .... then listens to see if there's a response .... no response? .... more wailing.  We have to wait her out and break the pattern

9:45 .... I think she may have given in and gone to sleep.

#1415 Thursday 1 December

She's in a bad way this evening .... it started after school .... she says that her neck is hurting and nothing we do is making it right for her.  She's very miserable and crying her heart out. Naomi is home from work now and I'm hoping that the "mummy magic" will do the trick.

Joe and I have been fixing the roof sheets over the spa area ..... we did 2 yesterday and 3 today ..... there are 2 left.  It's hard work as it is plastic sheets .... not metal .... so you can't put any weight on the surface.  The sheets have to be secured while standing beside it .... and sometimes there's nothing to stand on!

#1414 Wednesday 30 November

Today? ..... . DENTIST!!.... it's at 10:30am .... I really hope he can swing a quick fix so she can be finished with the pain.  The system of regular doses mean that the pain is not bothering her too much but she can't stay on painkillers for very long.

1:30pm  Well!!! .... it was all a false alarm.  The tooth .... that a few days ago was growing into her cheek .... has now corrected itself and it's growing the right way ...... it's not a problem!  The dentist says ... yes, they do that.   So it's all ok.    Amazing.

#1413 Tuesday 29 November

Phew! ..... the medication worked and she slept well.

4pm  She's home and happy.  The regimen of codeine on a timetable (rather than when needed) keeps the pain under control. If the dentist visit goes well, she won't need it much longer.

Joe and I began fixing the new roof sheets this morning.  It's hard work and I think aiming for 2 (of the 7) each day is realistic.

#1412 Monday 28 November

Poor thing .... it's 2:30am and she can't sleep.  Naomi has gone downstairs and will probably stay with her. 

7am  That was a good move .... she was able to settle when Naomi was with her.  I think she will have a trip to the doctor this morning!

8am  Naomi reports that Kaylia was quiet from 2:30  but didn't actually sleep till around 4am.  I'm trying to get a GP appointment to get her some serious pain killer .... we have to help her till a hospital session can be arranged.  The dentist on Thursday will just arrange the hospital ... he wont be able to do anything on Thursday.

She's resting.....

We have an appointment with the doctor in an hour.

8pm.   We now have some stronger medication and so her day has been good. She should be pretty drowsy tonight and have a good sleep.

#1411 Sunday 27 November

Gee that tooth is a bad one.... it has pierced her cheek and it's really hurting her.  We're giving her regular painkillers.  I just hope we can get some treatment quickly.

Today I was up at 5am while the rest of the house slept till 9am.  I was able to get many tasks done.

Now it's nearly 7pm and she's wanting the bedtime routine.

8:30pm ..... I spoke too soon..... the tooth is giving her too much pain and she can't sleep.  She's been crying since 7 despite all the painkillers.

There are no emergency dental services!  The major hospital used to have one but it has been closed to cut costs.  The current plan is to try and survive the night and take her to the GP in the morning.  Our only other option is to take her to a hospital emergency department .... but this is extremely bad for her so it's not an option we would willingly choose.