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Children's health

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DD has a bruise that isn't going away.

616 replies

SaulGood · 10/06/2015 12:03

8yo dd complained a few weeks ago that she had a bruise on her inner thigh. She said she couldn't remember how she did it. It looked very much like a mark made by her little brother pinching her which on occasion, when frustrated, he does. He also tends to aim for her thigh or the tops of her arms. She's also as active as most 8yos and rides her scooter everywhere, occasionally crashing and bruising her legs. I put it down to that.

A week ago she mentioned it was still there and I had a good look and it had faded to a browny colour but I could feel a lump directly underneath it. Around the size of a pea. She said it was sore.

A week later and it's still there, same size, sort of a reddy colour but she says it's more sore than it was. She does admit though that she squeezes it because there's a lump underneath it and it 'feels funny'. I don't know if that's exacerbating things.

I have a terrible health anxiety, particularly where the dc are concerned and I am jumping to the absolute worst conclusions. Because that helps, obviously. Hmm

She's not ill, not tired or not herself. She's perfectly well. She's also had other run of the mill, fell off her scooter or got whacked with a golf club bruises in the last couple of weeks and they've cleared up within a couple of days. It's just this bruise on her thigh.

I've made a GP appointment for after school today as it's preying on my mind but is there a chance this is absolutely nothing and my sky high anxiety and terror is unnecessary? I need to stop googling.

OP posts:
SaulGood · 15/09/2017 20:31

I think I'm confusing you all!

We were told on the phone last week that DD would have an outpatients appt on the 20th and then we'd have to bring her back the next day in time for the 7.30am surgery list. They said we'd have to stay in a hotel or drive home and back again the next day.

Then the letter came today and said DD is booked into the ward from 5pm on the 20th and one parent can stay. If there's another parent or you don't wish to stay on the ward, please contact facilities who have cheap accommodation.

It's the sudden change from outpatient to inpatient which confused me. But I suspect that's possibly a breakdown in communication? Or something they're not telling me as my anxiety would have it.

Addenbrookes were so good at being clear. Birmingham seems a bit more jumbled. Good job I didn't book a hotel last week I suppose.

I still have an atrocious cold which means I'm probably not making sense. I'm so hot/cold/achy that I can't even focus on Bake Off.

OP posts:
Freezingwinter · 15/09/2017 20:56

This is probably normal for the ward. I suspect it's to ensure your daughters 'bed' is safe ready for surgery the following day. Otherwise the bed might be filled and surgery cancelled. Does that make sense?

Lissette · 15/09/2017 21:01

Saul thinking of you and your fantastic dd.

Sanddunes how lovely to spot you again. Hope your kid is still doing well.

Maryz · 15/09/2017 21:09

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SandunesAndRainclouds · 15/09/2017 21:22

I agree with Maryz totally.

Lisette thank you! First time I've ever been noticed Grin DD is doing very well. Tumour free, subsequent scans and tests all clear hoorah!

misdee · 16/09/2017 21:53

It's probably standard generic letter and doesn't mean anything :) I live 30 mins by train to GOSH. This week dd6 had to be on the ward for 7.30am for the morning theatre list. So I asked about accomadation and was offered a room over the road for us both. Dd6 didn't stay overnight on the ward as it was the neurology rapid assessment ward not surgical ward. As it was it would've been better if we had slept at home and got the early train as plastic mattresses aren't great for sleeping on. I advise bring your own washable pillow ;)

misdee · 16/09/2017 21:55

Oh and dd6 had a muscle biopsy done. It's a small little cut on her leg, covered with steristrips and a small mepore dressing. She is more bothered by the LP on her back than the slightly bigger one on her leg

Hassled · 16/09/2017 22:06

I'm so sorry this hasn't just been resolved for you - and I wish I could say nice comforting things. All you can really hang on to is that no-one medical is panicking and that they're being very thorough, which has to be good. Glad your DH has the time off - it would have been hell on earth to do this on your own.

One thing re general anaesthetics - some people bounce back straight away, others are absolutely knocked sideways by them. You mentioned DD needing another day off school afterwards - she may well be just too exhausted, and that's apparently quite common.

Lissette · 17/09/2017 13:41

So glad Sandunes! Thinking of you Saul

minmooch · 19/09/2017 14:20

Thinking of you. The next two days are going to be difficult but will hopefully give you the final answer you need. Xx

misdee · 20/09/2017 09:28

Hope today is settled.

Lissette · 20/09/2017 11:31

I was supposed to be trailing around hospital corridors with 8 year old ds today but his appointment was cancelled. Thinking of you today Saul. Hope the car journey was easy enough.

CallMeDollFace · 20/09/2017 14:13

Ds had a needle biopsy a few years ago. So just joining to hand hold. It's not a great time. Hope all goes well x

ApplesinmyPocket · 20/09/2017 14:37

Really hoping it turns out to be nothing to worry about. I know how sick with dread you must be feeling and it's the worst feeling in the world, our precious kids...

Hope the drive went OK too. You have MN behind you willing all to be well.

HughLauriesStubble · 20/09/2017 14:39

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SandunesAndRainclouds · 20/09/2017 15:00

Good luck Saul

Maryz · 20/09/2017 16:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TractorTedTed · 20/09/2017 16:14

Thinking of you today.

Hope all Ok.

SaulGood · 20/09/2017 16:58

Hello all.

We're on the ward. DD was shown round the most amazing play room with jukebox, computers, table football, air hockey etc. Then promptly told she's under 12 so can't go in there! So she's on her bed. Her tv doesn't work so we're listening to the 3 other children's 3 separate channels instead. DD is trying to read but it is too noisy really. To be expected though. I predict NO sleep. Grin

Journey was mainly okay. The Birmingham bit was hard work with lots of road rage and angry driving (not us).

DD has seen a consultant briefly and had some obs and they've confirmed she's second on the surgery list for tomorrow so will be 9.30am ish. Nil by mouth from midnight. Results take 7-10 days on average.

Need to phone ds. He did gymnastics for the first time today and is gutted we're not there to watch/cheer him on. He's got grandma and grandad though and I made him a treasure hunt as a surprise for when he gets home.

I may be back later when it's quieter. I think they'll bring food round for DD soon and we'll have to find a cafe or something.

I feel a bit tearful. Feels far from home and hate wishing life away but could do with fastforwarding this bit.

OP posts:
SandunesAndRainclouds · 20/09/2017 17:15

Glad to hear you've made it to the ward safely.

We ignored the age thing on the playroom, no-one 'policed' the age restriction thing and it was a good escape from the ward.

It really is a noisy place, isn't it? DD's ward were very protective of children's sleep and enforced a quiet after 10pm rule with no TVs or unnecessary disturbances. Hope they do the same there!

Will keep you in my thoughts tomorrow. I will never forget my thread while DD was in theatre, it was heartwarming to know there were people out there willing us on, even though they were total strangers!

Maryz · 20/09/2017 17:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

misdee · 20/09/2017 17:19

Will keep checking in on this thread.

We also ignored age restrictions and took toys back to our bay last week as the small play room on dd6 ward gets used as a waiting/holding room too often

PurplePillowCase · 20/09/2017 17:23

results can, unfortunately, take some time depending what they are looking for.
dc's last biopsy results came about 8 weeks after biopsy (bone in our case) as some cultures take some time to grow.
the most important ones (cancer & acute infection) were back very quickly though.
good luck!

scootinFun · 20/09/2017 17:55

Good luck!

verystressedmum · 20/09/2017 18:01

I hope everything goes well I'll be thinking of you.
The waiting is such a horrible time, you want to know but at the same time you don't want to know!
Your results I think will come back quickly, but still probably not quick enough.
I had to chase my dds biopsy results and they knew she had cancer, I was calling the consultant secretary with no joy and after 9 days I called my gp and he got the results for me.
But I'm so glad and grateful that we have the NHS even with the waiting!