University life for freshers (2019/20) - Christmas backpacking (or not) and festive homecomings with all the tinseltastic trimmings!

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Previous thread.

Aw thank you everyone you have made me cry! Yes we are still in hospital. I have been here for a week. Dd2 is sleeping beside me at the mo. I have probably completely outed myself which I try not to do for my Dds sake. Heyho. I will change my name soon and give you some hints I think. This time last week Dd2 had probably been fitting for some time (due to her phone activity). I found her at 9.10. Her being a typical teenager I don’t normally go into her room to try and wake her up til about 10.30 but I heard strange noises. She was not in a good state. It is a brain infection, unknown pathogen. But because we are a bit out in the sticks/ time of year she didn’t have all the scans til yesterday. Poor thing is on so much med she’s having side effects. As well as for her sister, I think Dd1 is scared for herself as well as she mentioned no one would have found her at uni. Dd2 is now tearful (and sobbed and sobbed in Dd1’s arms yesterday) she’s realised she’s got exams coming up (year 11) and had been predicted 8s and 9s. They were just about to start Macbeth at school. Obviously all your priorities change but it’s going to be hard managing Dd2s expectations. Luckily having been through the process already I know it’s the A Levels that count and we’ll be able to explain away any anomalies. So I think Dd1 and I have reassured her on that front.

OMG Zanda 😪 sending strength to you. Your poor dds and you.

to your family Zanda.

Hi Shimy, I sent my DD back with lots of home cooked meals for freezer and 2 massive bags full of food including ready meals, soup and tinned food! She has such a full programme she has no time to shop or cook! You could then send a delivery in every couple of weeks?!

Sorry, hadn’t refreshed before posting - sending very best wished to you and your DDs Zanda xxxx

wishes even

@shimy happy to have helped. It looks like there is a variety of flavours so hopefully there will be one he likes at least!

@ZandathePanda Hope recovery is swift and easy.

Just checked DS2 in for his return flight so he'll be gone in 48 hours and DS1 a day later. Back to a quiet tidy house. Not really looking forward to it!

Hope everyone's DC are having good journeys back to university this week.

I have just realised that we are not whizzing through this thread at the same speed as previous ones. We will still be in the Christmas one at Easter at the rate we're going!

Oh, Zanda your problems put some other niggles in perspective! Sending positive energy your way. At the end of the day exams can be retaken school/uni years can be resat, but health and well-being are paramount. Please keep us updated and hope it is with good news.

@ZandathePanda I am so sorry to hear what you’ve been through, it sounds like a nightmare. Thank goodness she is on the mend and I think it’s when that happens that you start to reflect on what just happened. DD1 had an emergency op aged 4 and I was like a robot but afterwards it all came out and I really felt the fear then. Wishing you lots of love and very well DC in the very near future. xxx

FYI a child at my school had a sudden brain infection a couple of years ago, from a very short sinus infection. It had formed abscesses on his brain and he needed surgery. Amazingly, he was back at school a month later. Positive thoughts.

So upset to hear what your familiy's been going through Zanda - sending big hugs and positive forces your way. Certainly puts things into perspective. 💐

Thank you for your thoughts. It’s been nice going into mumsnet-world to take my mind off stuff and nice to hear stories of DC returning. Fingers crossed mine does too very soon....

Zanda Thinking of you and wishing DDs well. Thank goodness you were there to find her and get help.

@Baytreemum thank you for your recommendations I’ve just seen your post. We could definitely try the frozen ready meals, anything to get him eating. DH showed DS the huel link and he has said he will try them. Will let people know how it all goes.

@ZandathePanda, so sorry to read your news. How terrifying for you all. I'm not surprised your DD1 doesn't want to go back and is frightened for herself too

DS going back tomorrow during the day so he'll need to pack tonight. Exams next week so this week is technically term time but no lectures/sessions.

He's taking back a big bag full of food we brought back from Japan. So microwave rice, curry sauce, pasta sauces etc (really nice ones). He'll eat well for a while. He also needs to replace the cheap wok from his starter kit as it broke already, but he can buy that from his own money :)

He doesn't use the microwavable rice cooker really so we might try again wiht a proper electric one once he moves to a new house next year (something he needs to get on asap)

He says he isn't drinking as much water as he used to, so we're suggesting he gets an insulated jug for his room.

DSs both left with tears in their eyes. I have enjoyed the last month so much. Now back home to tidy up after them and see what they have forgotten! Hope everyone has a good second term

Good luck to everyone with children going back this weekend. DC1 went back last weekend and it was horrible all over again I'm afraid but I'm feeling a bit better now. Just saying in case anyone else finds the same.

DD busy packing up to go back tomorrow. What a difference to the last time we were packing up! She’s really excited to go back and I’m looking forward (in the nicest possible way 😉) to getting back to our new normal

Zanda so sorry to hear about your DD. So frightening for you all.
Good luck to everyone going back. I hope the illnesses are on the way out. My DD has been ok up until the past couple of days hoping she’s shifted it before Sunday.
She has refused to let us take her back on the basis she wants to get unpacked, catch up with friends and doesn’t want to have to entertain us! So I’m feeling a little sad, but happy that she’s excited to return and I don’t lose 6 hours of a precious Sunday in the car as a taxi driver!

feels like my DS is growing up a little bit each time we see him. Even basic things you may take for granted now around learning to live independently. Its lovely to see. Its like a tiny version of when you have to be away from home for a few days when they're toddlers, and you come back and they look like they've grown so much older.

We fly back to the UK tomorrow after an unexpectedly sunny week in the alps . Will be packing her off back up north from Heathrow on Sunday afternoon .