Five (From Swindon Advertiser)

Five

12:45pm Saturday 14th February 2009

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Can somebody please tell me where the last five years went! My youngest son is five today. I’m none too chuffed with him, as he promised me faithfully that he would stay four forever! But here we are and my little valentine dude, who made his debut appearance one cold February morning; in the middle of the living room floor (well he didn’t fancy getting MRSA!) is now five.

About two days after he was born, I got the feeling that something was wrong; call it a Mother’s intuition. He was the fourth child that I had given birth to, so it wasn’t first time Mum’s nerves. He was just too quiet and good! He rarely cried (he sure is making up for it now!) I remember sitting down and crying my eyes out and wailing “something is wrong, I know it is.” His Dad reassured me and told me it was probably just that he was a “good baby” and all my others had not been!

When he was just a few weeks old, Alfie failed his hearing test and we discovered that he had glue ear. He remained a lovely peaceful, chilled baby, but unfortunately he didn’t grow or put on weight like he was supposed to. We had to get him weighed on a weekly basis and were scrutinised and questioned by the health visitor about how much we were feeding him. I used to get so upset, as I felt like they thought we were not feeding him properly and nothing could have been further from the truth! We spent the first year of his life feeding him up, but no avail, the weight did not go on and he hardly grew.

We were finally referred to a Paediatrician at the hospital and also to the Dieticians. We were told to put cooking oil in his weetabix and extra cheese, cream and butter in everything that he ate. The Paediatrician did some tests and the results showed that he had a rare chromosomal abnormality, resulting in poor growth, developmental delay, behaviour difficulties and sensory problems.

I will never forget the day we received the telephone call from the Paediatrician’s secretary, inviting us in for a “chat” I spent the next ten days worrying myself silly, until it was time to go and see him. We were called into his office where we were told the results of the tests. The doctor was so lovely and very reassuring. I remember thinking “Thank god it isn’t life threatening” and trying to take in all the information that we were given. A lot of it went over my head though, as it was a shock.

Over the last five years, it’s been a struggle all the way for my little man. He has suffered ear infections, ear drum perforations, had two lots of grommets and regularly chokes and is sick when eating (he has over large tonsils that need removing, but he needs to grow bigger.) Despite this, he has come on leaps and bounds and is a gorgeous little chap (OK maybe I am slightly prejudiced here!) With the help and support of Swindon Portage, his development has really come on and he has been able to attend a main stream school, although it is a struggle.

Being Alfie’s Mum is the best job in the world and I am so very blessed. Here’s to the next five eventful, fun filled years my little dude! That’s me, I’m off with my little mob to the Jolly Roger to play and then later on its Peppa Pig cake all round! I hope you all have a lovely weekend.