Bit of a do

Bit of a do - in the sense of a commotion, rather than cucumber sandwiches and milky tea.

PP is itching, and itchy palms and feet mean cholestasis - which is Bad. The midwife took blood for a test, which also turned out Bad. This morning was an exciting visit to the hospital, with a second blood test, and this time it turned out to be Good.

Incidentally, cholestasis is another fine example of English usage: we name something as if the naming means we understand it. Like Alzheimer's, Crone's and a host of syndromes, conditions and diseases, the name somehow makes it acceptable, knowable. Cholestasis means "gall bladder blocked," which turns out to be a description of the condition simply in hilarious faux Latin. Or is that reproba latin?

Almost an armful

Midwife again this morning, a very competent woman called Sarah, her second visit to us. She gave the baby a right old poking about, saying it has long limbs. How on earth can she tell? I can hardly tell its bonce from its bum - mind you, the same applies to me, more or less.

Curiously, she asked if PP has had itchy feet or palms, and the answer is Yes. In fact, I even wondered if PP had athlete's foot she was scratching so much! Something to do with liver function, which, even more odderer, PP had been speaking about. This prompted a vial of blood to be drawn. Almost an armful.