Chapter 11 #3
‘Oh, thank goodness it’s nothing serious.’ Fern’s whole body seemed to relax. ‘You can just give him something to help him go, can’t you?’
Esther bit her lip, reluctant to take away the other woman’s newfound optimism, because Fern clearly had no idea just how serious this could be.
Life-threatening, in fact. There were a number of reasons why Arlo might have a blockage in his bowel, but, whatever the cause, it was a medical emergency, and she couldn’t sugarcoat this for Fern, no matter how much she might want to.
‘I’m going to get one of the paediatricians to look at Arlo, because he needs immediate treatment for whatever is causing his obstruction and the first stage of identifying the cause is going to be an ultrasound.’
‘What will they be looking for?’ All the colour had drained out of Fern’s face now and she seemed to sway on her feet as she uttered her next words. ‘Could it be cancer?’
The muscles in Esther’s face had been pulled tight by tension, because she was so scared of accidently wearing an expression that might make Fern panic even more.
The chance of it being cancer was very small, but it was still possible and it was absolutely the last thing Arlo’s mother needed to hear right now.
‘The most likely cause at Arlo’s age is something called intussusception, where the bowel telescopes in on itself and causes a blockage.
The ultrasound will tell us for sure and, although it’s vital that we treat the condition as soon as possible, it’s something Arlo can make a complete recovery from. ’
‘Is it because I bottle-fed him?’ Fern looked downcast. ‘I just couldn’t get on with breastfeeding. He had a tongue tie and both of us were getting so stressed.’
‘Oh no, it’s got nothing to do with Arlo being formula fed, I promise.
So please don’t worry yourself about anything like that.
It’s probably caused by an infection, something as simple as a cold, that makes the wall of the bowel become swollen.
If it’s that, the treatment is fairly straightforward and there’s usually no recurrence of the issue.
The most important thing for us to do is to get a diagnosis, so Arlo can get the treatment he needs. ’
‘Thank you.’ Fern let out a sigh of relief, and Esther decided not to outline the potential treatment for intussusception to her just yet.
If baby Arlo’s tests confirmed Esther’s suspicions, he’d be given an air enema to try and reverse the telescoping, but if that didn’t work, he’d need surgery.
He’d also be given antibiotics and an IV to replace the lost fluids that were putting him at risk of dehydration.
It was going to be a lot for Fern to witness and she could do with someone around to give her support.
‘Does anyone know that you and Arlo are here? Someone who can come and be with you?’
‘My parents are in Madeira on holiday and my husband’s a trawlerman, out on his first trip since Arlo arrived.
I might be able to get my sister to come, or one of my friends, but they’ve all got young children of their own and it’s not that easy to just drop everything and come to the hospital for what might be hours on end.
I’ll be okay.’ Despite her protestations it was clear that Fern needed someone and Esther was just about to try and persuade her to call a friend, when the cubicle curtain was pulled back, revealing a face she recognised.
‘Are you okay, Fern?’ The expression on Hope’s face was one of kindness. ‘I’ve just finished a delivery, so I only just got your message, and you sounded really worried.’
‘Arlo’s been very poorly and the nurse thinks he might have a blockage in his bowel.
I was so frightened about what might be wrong, and I just didn’t know what to do.
’ Fern still looked as white as a sheet.
‘You were so helpful and kind after he was born, and I was desperate to speak to someone who might be able to reassure me, but I couldn’t get hold of my health visitor either and I kept thinking the worst and then… ’
As Fern started to cry, Hope stepped forward, wrapping her arms around the woman and uttering words of comfort, in a warm, gentle tone.
‘It’s okay, you’re safe now and Arlo’s going to be looked after. I’ll be here for you as long as you need me.’
‘You can’t do that, you’ve got work to do.’ Fern’s objections were weak and it was clear she wanted to take Hope up on her offer, despite feeling that she shouldn’t. Either way, Hope clearly wasn’t taking no for an answer.
‘The delivery I did was the end of my shift, so I’m going to stay with you until you’re sure that Arlo is okay and I’m sure that you are too.
’ Hope turned towards Esther, the two women exchanging a look, united in their support of this young woman who clearly adored her little boy and had been so terrified that she might lose him.
Parenthood wasn’t for the faint-hearted and yet somehow, in a way that defied explanation, moments like this made Esther long to be a mother more than ever.