Hi there!

I thought I might share a recent drama with you all so that maybe it can save someone else the heartache.

On Saturday night, my DS (aged 2 1/2) was very sick with influenza, and I was checking his temperature every hour or so. He was hovering around 39.5C all night - which worried me greatly. He was disorientated and distressed - so I spent much of the night up caring for him.

When the next morning rolled around, my DH went on a early morning fishing expedition - and DS slept from sheer exhaustion. So I enjoyed some badly needed sleep.

I knew that my DS (aged 8 1/2) and DD (aged 5) had got out of bed. But a regular weekend morning normally consists of them getting up and watching cartoons for about 45 minutes before we get up (as tv is a special treat for weekend mornings only).

I was awoken by a blood-curdling scream - and confronted with a very distressed DD holding her ear. DS informs me that he was taking her temperature with our digital thermometer - THROUGH HER EAR!

It took me some time to calm DD, and she asked for a icepack. After laying on the icepack for a while, I noticed some tiny spots of blood in a large wet patch of 'water'.

Thinking that this 'water' could be from the icepack - I tried without the icepack.......same result.

After doing a quick internet search (thank heavens for the internet) - I discovered that immediate medical attention needed to be sought. It said "If clear fluid is coming from the ear canal, seek immediate medical advice"

After 5 hours waiting time in the ED of our hospital (and a significant increase in the leeding) - the doctors discovered that this 'water' was infact brain fluid - as the thermometer had perforated a membrane that surrounds the inner ear - and this fluid was leaking out - the same fluid that cushions the brain!

To our horror - we were informed that there were serious implications for this type of injury.

The hospital sent our DD home after a thorough check-over, with instructions for us to closely monitor her, and return the next morning.

Fortunately, the fluid stopped leaking overnight - but the bleeding continued.

The next day, the doctor informed us that her ear drum is badly damaged, and she has a large cut in her ear canal.

So - we are fortunate that she is ok, and we now play the waiting game for the damage to repair, and importantly to see if her hearing returns.

I dÃ*dn't think that there was anything wrong with leaving a digital thermometer on the table - and my DH tells me that it was one of those freak things - BUT........My DS did not understand that there was anything in his ear beyond where his finger can fit. He now understands the seriousness of his actions, and that the ear is a very fragile place. BUT what a dreadful way to find out!

We are very lucky, and are counting our blessings. But, I hope that our horror weekend serves as a cautionary tale for someone else.