I hurt too Mummy

Does this look like a child who has a sore foot, an achy tummy and a pain in the tooth?  No.  It doesn't to me either, yet over the last 5 days all these complaints have come and gone and she's been in need of a lot of TLC and physical closeness. There have been tears and tantrums and moaning and it's all been pretty confusing because there's also been cuddles and kisses galore.  That was until I managed to stand still for a couple of hours today and think it through.

Rachel is trying to tell me that she is hurting too.  Maybe not physically like I am, but emotionally she is hurting and she's not sure how to share that with me.  In fact her words are telling me that she's strong and coping well and not wanting me to panic, but underneath she's not so sure.

I'm not sure that she understands that her physical pain is all emotionally caused.  Actually, strike that; I'm absolutely sure that she DOESN'T understand what's happening inside her.

My poor girl is scared and worried and suffering because her mum isn't well and doesn't know how or why.  She is trying to be my rock.  It is time her and I had a chat about how she feels and how I feel and how we will get through whatever comes next together.  Wish me luck.