Watching my daughter scream with excitement as Mr Tumble waddles onto the TV screen, I’m hit by a wave of joy and pain. Our youngest child, Penny, five, is the lifeblood of our family. My husband, Andrew, and I take turns along with our two boys – Tyler, 19, and Harry, 12 – to hug and play with her, treasuring every moment. Because, sadly, we know there’ll be a day when we’re all here and Penny isn’t, and sometimes it’s too much to bear.
When I realised I was pregnant in December 2013, it took time for the news to sink in. Earlier that year, I’d had a stillborn baby girl, Milly, and our grief was still raw. But, as the weeks passed, with the new life kicking away inside me, our baby became the rainbow our family so desperately needed.
On 26 August 2014, Penny was born, weighing a healthy 8lb 3oz. Holding her, I fell in love instantly. She was perfect, her face a picture of our future.
Something wrong
Back home, I struggled to breastfeed as Penny was unable to latch on. I switched to the bottle and felt relief as Penny grew by the week, but at six months old, Penny wasn’t babbling as much as the boys had been at her age. When someone entered the room, Penny didn’t turn around, and if there was a loud bang, she didn’t notice.
As well as not being very responsive, Penny always had a blocked nose. I told the health visitor my concerns and we were referred for tests at the Ear, Nose and Throat clinic.
A hearing test showed Penny had hearing loss as well as bilateral glue ear. Doctors removed her adenoids and fitted her with grommets but the procedures didn’t seem to make much difference, and nothing helped relieve her blocked nose.
This story is from the May 04, 2020 edition of WOMAN - UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 04, 2020 edition of WOMAN - UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Fast&fresh DINNERS
Healthy meals to keep you satisfied on busy weeknights.
Health checks that could SAVE YOUR LIFE
We service our cars and boilers to make sure they run smoothly, so why not our bodies?
FEEL SEXIER in 60 seconds
Try these instant tricks to lift your libido and get turned on fast
Destination SWAPS
Change your favourite resorts for these great-value, lesser-known places
5 steps to the PERFECT HALLWAY
Try these makeover musts to transform the often-overlooked space into an entrance you can be proud of ai
The secrets WE KEEP
Two women explain why they realised it was finally time to speak up
Our split made us STRONGER!
Bernie Jones loves her husband more after their break-up 4
Can our beloved NHS BE SAVED?
With waiting lists for surgery reaching new highs, we investigate the lengths patients are going to in order to receive treatment
WANT TO SEE BEHIND THE CASTLE GATES?
It’s an interesting development that King Charles has increased public access to Buckingham Palace and opened up Balmoral Castle for the first time.
'The divorce SPEAKS FOR ITSELF"
Singer-turned-actor Billie Piper on her turbulent past and becoming the woman she is today