Hell week coming to an end!

So some of you have been following the latest Cahill Fiji adventure by Facebook. If so, most of this is old news, but I know some folks don't follow FB so here goes...

A week ago Friday, Ollie's ear was paining. Took him to Dr - there was an insect (dead) in there. Was told to take him to hospital on Monday for removal.

Monday - went to hospital, waited 4 hours to see doctor because it was the day before school started again after break, and everyone was having their child seen. They tried to remove it with a saline flush. Ollie screamed a scream no mother should ever have to hear, and I knew they had damaged his ear. Admitted for IV antibiotics and they wanted to do exploration under anesthesia the next day. Needless to say, were were NOT keen on anyone but a specialist to go poking around in there. No specialist in Labasa. Would have to travel to Suva. Spent night in dirty, crowded, hot, and mosquito filled children's ward. Very sad night filled surrounded by wails of sick and hurting children. I'm so grateful for my healthy children.

Surgeon that ordered the flush was new, and assumed the flush would be given my skilled doctor, not nurse. Very, very remorseful and helped us with our transfer to Suva. Also heard a heart murmer she wanted us to have checked out.

Tues-Friday - Flew to Suva and then spent the week back and forth from hospital having ear and heart checked out. ENT specialist was able to remove a bit more of the insect and said the damaged canal is healing, although Oliver is still in a lot of pain. After loads of test, turns out his heart murmer is just an innocent murmer - just a funny sounding heart.

During this week, I developed a terrible flu that morphed into a cold. Kept myself nicely medicated and was able to function pretty well, but by the end of the week was just wiped out. Still feeling very ill as I write this, but will be as good as new with some good rest.

Finally cleared to go home on Friday. Decided on the cheaper way - overnight by boat. Waited 4 hours to board boat, then 2 more for the boat to finally leave harbor. Fiji time! Paid extra for a bed for us to share - couldn't wait to sleep. Really feeling ill by this time, and Oliver's ear was hurting terribly. All the beds were crawling with roaches. Thought I would cry! I just wanted to sleep. Someone sprayed out our bunk area and we just hoped for the best. Ollie slept with a shirt over his head lest another bug was tempted by the coziness of his ear canal, and I tried very hard to sleep with my mouth closed, despite the very stuffy nose.

Had to wait few more hours to get off boat because some work being done in the harbor - several hours behind by that time. Now we are awaiting a bus that will take us the last 3 hours to Labasa. Then it is 1/2 hours taxi and a 1/2 hour boat, then HOME! Couldn't be happier about that.

Through all of this, Oliver has been amazing. Hours of waiting everyday with nothing to do, with a sick and not-fun Mommy, and he was patient. No whining, no complaining. So very grateful for his easy going nature!

We managed to make the most of this time together - never before has it been just the two of us for such an extended amount of time. Lots of cards games, stories, books, and snuggles. Despite the troubles and illing, we managed to have a pretty good time.

But we are both missing J, B and O like crazy. Hugs all around, soon soon soon!

Hopefully the next update will be a better one! Love to all!