Oscar and Harry's Journey : SWIMMING..AND A TRIATHLON

We found out last week the school pool is salt water not chlorine. We were hopeful this might be ok for Oscar's skin. He was so excited at the thought of playing in a pool and wasn't at all apprehensive getting in. The smile on his face was worth a million dollars. After a few minutes Oscar said "My skin doesn't hurt".
Oscar and Charlie had a wonderful time playing in the pool and it hasn't made Oscar's skin itchy, or perhaps I should write it hasn't made Oscar's skin itchier than it is.
He's very dry, spotty rashy on his stomach and bottom and has impetigo blisters again on his face. This is a sign Oscar is run down. He's having unsettled nights falling asleep late and waking lots to itch under his arms and behind his knees. Despite all this he participated in the school triathlon. He even walked through the pool for the swim part. Initially the plan was for me to go in the pool with him but his teacher didn't give him time to think about it, quickly getting him in the pool, holding his hand until he got to the end and he walked the next length on his own. He was so proud of himself when he finished and of course I was a very proud Mum times two as Charlie also did the school triathlon for the first time and it was great watching him cross the finish line.

Oscar was exhauated when we got home, stripped off his clothes and jumped into our bed watching dvd's for the rest of the afternoon.
He's so itchy at the moment. I think it's a combination of a few things. Dry skin, coming offf the immunos, late nights - it becomes a vicious cycle.
I spoke to Oscar's teacher today to let her know he's not sleeping well and she said she noticed yesterday he was a bit day dreamy and wasn't concentrating as well as usual. Getting Oscar out of bed in the morning is a misson. I literally have to drag him out of bed! Hopefully as it gets cooler in the coming weeks his skin might get better, who knows!

Charlie is doing well at school and is so eager to learn. He is asking us how to spell words all the time and now wants to do lots of maths equations too. He is way more motivated than Oscar has ever been and I put that down to one thing only. Charlie sleeps all night long and his body and brain rests and recovers ready for a busy day! It's so wonderful watching him learn and he enjoys school so much.

Harry is still much the same. He's had a few better nights over the last week sleeping for longer than usual. The strange thing is there is not one scabby, itchy part on Harrys back as he can't get to it to scratch! The itch is just too strong still and he can't help scratching until he bleeds. To think Harry's entire body used to be like this! That really does put things into perspective.
Harry and Oscar had their routine blood tests this week. Oscar had to be jabbed twice as they couldn't get blood the first time. It's very upsetting for all when this happens but the nurses were amazing. We even left with a bag of goodies for the boys to play with. When we got home they got some of their soft toys and role played giving them blood tests and medicines.
The nurses also gave us tubigrip big enough to try on Harry's stomach. It actually worked lastnight as he could still pat his stomach but couldn't pull the scabs off. It won't take long before he pulls it down though I imagine.

Here's hoping to some less itchier days soon.