Benjy's First NHS Experience

Ben underwent an emergency operation at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford on Wednesday night after being transferred from our local Banbury hospital.

We discovered a very swollen and red left scrotum in the bath on Tuesday evening, and the next day he was seen by almost every paedeatrician, surgeon and consultant in Oxfordshire before the decision was made to operate. He was under general anaesthetic for over 45 minutes while the twisted (naturally occuring) cyst was removed (cause of "twisting": unknown). He now proudly boasts 4 dissolving stitches. Miraculously he experienced absolutely no pain during the entire process (!).

He is now jumping from the lounge coffee table onto his bean bag (which I take to be a clear sign that he's feeling just fine in the groin department). He loved his hospital experience and almost had to be forcibly removed by the orderlies ("But I have my own TV here so I can watch Cbeebies Springwatch! AND they have jam toast!") He grew so attached to his clown hospital gown that they gave up the fight and let him bring it home. It is now a proud part of the dressing up box.

Thanks for your prayers, calls and emails.

Ben and earphones (making sure he doesn't miss a moment of Springwatch)