Can someone please hold my hand?

[Greebosmum]

Morning all. I may need a hand hold through today. My little Grandson has Chicken Pox. Although it's generally minor he has spots in his mouth and throat and up his behind. His Mum is on her own and us doing a great job but has been in hospital overnight as he is not drinking and has continuous diarrhoea and vomiting. They have discharged them and she is on her way home. I am so scared though. I need to be bright and breezy for her while feeling scared and unable to eat myself. Please, any encouragement would be great. Will pop by when I can. Thank you.

Oh bless you, it’s awful when little ones are so poorly. I hope he’s better very soon, oat baths can really help to soothe his skin.

Try and eat something small if you can, and drink plenty of fluids x

Aw poor little mite, but honestly, calm down- chicken pox is rarely serious. If the hospital has discharged him, he’ll have had a good check over. His body can fight this off. Do you suffer with health anxiety?

Poor little mite! If it’s any comfort, DS2 had a very bad bout of chicken pox, including in his mouth, and we were watching to make sure it didn’t get near his throat or eyes. He’s 26 now, no scars, perfectly happy.
He was generally a bit of a drama lama with illness- we were in hospital a couple of times with suspected meningitis because he tends to get dehydrated and had petechiae from vomiting so hard.

Wishing you all the best as he comes home- they’ll probably both enjoy a rest after a night in hospital! Ice lollies and ice cream are great when they are ill. Gets the liquids in.

As OP says, it’s generally minor but for this little one it’s been worse than usual. When it’s in their throat, eyes, etc it needs careful monitoring and is more worrying than ‘ordinary’ chicken pox.

Was she happy with the hospital explaination of what is happening and their after care advice? Is he drinking and weeing?

At least he has been checked over OP, the will have given mum hopefully clear advice on signs she needs to take him back

This is exactly why I vaccinated my children against chickenpox. I had it as a child and it's the one childhood illness I remember. I did recover completely though.

Ah I didn’t realise that. Still, hospital has checked & discharged -& little ones really are remarkably tough. Big hugs

Thank you for all the kind messages. I do realise it's only chicken pox but my children obviously only had it mildly or I have forgotten. He is vomiting every hour or so but the diarrhoea is almost continuous. He is currently licking an ice lolly and seems a bit perkier. He is only 3 and has form for dramatic illnesses. It's not really the illness it's the wear and tear on his poor Mum who is a single parent and has another child (who fortunately has had chicken pox already). You never stop being a Mum and although my baby is heading for 40 I still want to take this off her shoulders. If you read all that, well done. Keep the kindness coming. It really helps.

Excellent. Glad to hear the ice lollies are already on duty! I believe that the treatments are better than they were in our day, OP. A friend mentioned various things that we didn’t have. You just suffered through with calpol and camomile. I do feel for your DD, but at least her other DC has had it. I was stuck in for about 3 weeks, as DS2 came out in spots just as DC1 reached the release point! And DS2 didn’t have a clean patch on him to put a finger on. We had GP appointment it was so bad.

My child had a chickenpox at 18 months and it was really dreadful. We didn't end up in a hospital, but he was really poorly for 5 days, in pain, crying and sleeping only on my chest. Spots were everywhere! But then he bounced back really quickly. Everything will be fine xxx.

I'm sorry your little ones all suffered so much. He is now saying his tummy hurts so am expecting an outpouring from one end or the other. My poor DD has gone to bed so it's just me and him and Baby Shark.

Towels over everything can be helpful, ready for the inevitable leakages! And also, use something like a barrier cream on his poor bottom as the diarrhoea and the wiping will make him sore. Washing with water in the shower, or using baby oil on cotton wool, is gentler than wipes or toilet roll. Poor little bum!

Thank you. She is using cotton wool and water now. I think he has peaked with the horror, just a few days on this awful plateau of pain and itching and hopefully he will be on the mend. We have puppy pads everywhere . Lovely kind hugs are helping no end so thank you everyone.

Sorry to hear this OP. I just wanted to say that you sound like an amazing gran, and I am sure your daughter is really grateful for your love and support!

Don't be afraid to phone 111 if you are worried - better safe than sorry! The important thing is to keep his fluids up - he will be OK without eating for a few days, but make sure you keep offering water/squash/juice etc.

And look after yourself too - this will be stressful for all of you!

But this too will pass.

Thank you so much. It's been a really rough journey with this little one. He had a few hours sleep and we are back to square one with the D and V. I.have now gone home taking big brother with me so if Mum feels the need to get him seen in the night she won't have big boy to consider.

Hi, new update. Called 111 or whatever it is as he will not eat or drink due to the pain his throat and tummy spots are causing. They said take him to A and E now because he hasn't had a wee since last night. My DD has taken him. I am holding the fort and trying to keep a brave face.

How is he @Greebosmum? Sorry to hear your last update. They’ll look after him & he’ll be home & well in no time, I’m sure x

Oh that sounds tough for you all, especially the poor little chap. But he’s in the right place to get some fluids into him. I remember when my kids had it, one of them went through a really distressing couple of days with spots everywhere but once they’re over the peak, it’s surprising how fast they recover. In fact my dd who had it worst, also had the fastest recovery, the spots disappeared as fast as they’d arrived.

I’m glad your DD sought help again. The consultant at our local peads A and E always says if Mum is worried he is worried and if you get home and things get worse or you’re still worried them go back. Mum’s often know when a child is worryingly ill even if it’s not alway obvious to others.

You are absolutely right about Mum's knowing what's going on with their children. I am happy to report they hydrated him and when they were satisfied his plumbing was working sent him home. I arrived this morning to find him lying on the sofa drinking of his own volition and eating Monster Munch. Maybe not ideal but we can worry about that when he's better.

Again, thank you all so so much. It's hard being Granny.

What a wonderful granny you are.

Monster munch has certain qualities that shouldn’t be overlooked! The salt is good when you’ve been ill, they dissolve in the mouth so don’t hurt the sore patches, and have a really strong flavour so they are tasty!

So glad he’s perked up a bit!

Ahh kids like to take you on a rollercoaster ride when they’re ill!! So pleased he has perked up.