Isla in Hospital

Greetings! Yes, Isla has been in hospital to get her engorged and infected lymph node on the left side of her neck treated. It all started about 4 weeks ago when I noticed her lymph node was a decent lump. Took her to the doctor and we decided since she'd be sick previously it was just her immune system fighting it all still and we'd just watch it and see. She subsequently had fevers which worried us, so back to the doctor who recommended we get the lump scanned and test her blood. When the scan was done they found it to be lymphodenitis - basically infection of the lymph node. Her blood tests were ok but she was put on antibiotics all the same to see if it made the lump go down. However, to our dismay the lump grew and grew to the point where Isla's neck was now really sore and she couldn't move it much. She also had to tilt her head to the left side due to it's size - a huge 5x5cm lump. On a little girl - that's massive! Anyway, while on the antibiotics not only did it get bigger, but she had more fevers so back to the doctor who said go to the hospital. The first emergency visit had us go home for another week where we just watched it and hoped for the best, but it didn't go down and seemed to get worse with her skin going red and inflamed around the back of the neck. This time at emergency, Isla was admitted to hospital, where she had another scan which showed that the lump was "ripe" ie lots of liquid inside to drain out, so she had surgery to remove the liquid and relieve the pressure. Amazing difference in her. She slept very well for a change and was very cheery and no longer was chanting to us "sore neck!". So now we just have to let the next course of antibiotics finish it up and clear it for good.

Apparently this is quite common in young ones and we were just so relieved that it wasn't anything nasty - and you can imagine the nasty things that as a parent you worry about. Isla was a very good patient in hospital and enjoyed the attention - after the surgery that is, before hand she was rather miserable.

Here is Isla with the red lump - hard to get a good idea of it in the photos actually.

Here she is with her drip in and watching TV - you can see the lump a bit better here on the left side.

Miserable Isla even after Captain Starlight made her a balloon flower (which she loves now).

After surgery having some dinner - with a massive pad on her neck to catch all the fluid that is draining.

Present from Aunty Sue and a much happier Isla

Isla's last meal in hospital with Jelly to finish it off - Not sure if she likes it or not!