It’sNotThatEasy.

For every parent in the senhood, we build a strong exterior to face the battles, not only for our children but ourselves too.

Livy does not only face profound deafness, she has multiple complex health conditions which aren’t always as visible. The happy, bold fearless little girl you see suffers in a world of silence too.

Livy has chronic constipation issues which comes with no signs and no warnings, unable to express herself or make her pain known. We solely rely on our instincts, observing her facials, her body language and emotions. As non trained medical professionals we have slowly become dependant on our gut instincts.

Although Friday came with absolutely no changes in herself and no warnings. Within a second she went down hill.
I have not posted this for sympathy, it’s more of a insight on how our confident daughter with almighty sass can turn a corner quite suddenly. This is our reality. Her bowel impaction is one which has its own set of complications and additional needs, something I don’t share with you often.

She has suffered chronic constipation for well over a year now, her bowel has been under so much pressure, she has lost the sensation of her need to pass stools. She is on two medications to help her consistency but yet we are to find that balance. And she’s still in pull up pants.

Friday, we attended a emergency audiology appointment to replace her hearing aids that she spontaneously and deliberately lost the evening before (more to follow up on that!) she was playing with the audiologist, suddenly she went very quiet and made her way back to me. As I stroked her hair and tried to read her expression, she projectile vomited everywhere. I have honestly never seen so much vomit from a child. A passing ENT nurses and a NHS governor body came to our help, and I honestly cannot thank them enough for their quick actions and empathy.

Unlike hearing children we cannot comfort them with our voice and calm our children down, but Livy solely relies on touch – sensory feedback. Which makes soothing her during this is incredibly challenging needing close touch and resulting most vomit down myself than in the sickness bowel. Due to being in freight she proceeded to panic and choke.
It took all my strength not to cry for my little girl. And the worst feeling is not being able to calm her down and take this away from her.

This is what happens when she gets too much pressure from the impaction and inability to control her stool movement.

She was rushed to a&e whom assessed her situation and increased fluids to replace what was lost from vomiting. And altering medication to return home.

These type of days take us by surprise, and remind us of the strength and resilience Livy has towards her complex needs. She bounces back and ready to tackle life as we know it.

I am so thankful for our NHS.
We are incredibly lucky to have this service.