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Well, we got that influenza swab, afterall...



Sigh. Where do I start?

Oh, I know...how about where I left off yesterday...

Strep, negative...I was then convinced we were dealing with influenza. Even tho she had abdominal pain. The abdominal pain was kind of a head scratcher, but I thought, "huh, must just be part of it".

By Wednesday afternoon, the lightbulb began to go on. It started out kinda dim, tho, so I kept shutting it off. At about 4 o'clock, I could no longer ignore the glaring light in front of my eyes...


Abdominal pain that had her moaning, the way she walked hunched over, the fevers, the nausea, the lack of appetite...it was all adding up. I finally asked her, if she had to point to ONE specific spot where it hurt, where would she point. She had been generalizing her pain to the very lower part of her abdomen, but when I asked her to specify...

Her finger when right to the spot I was dreading...the right lower corner of her tummy.

*Gulp*

And, at 4 o'clock, you're hard pressed to find an appointment at the clinic. I called to talk with the clinic nurse, and together we confirmed what I had been debating...I needed to head to the ER.

I dread going to the ER...in fact, will avoid it at all costs. I really don't want to be "one of those moms" and I think the ER is for missing limbs and heart attacks.

Well, last night I learned that they're also for abdominal pain.


My sweet girl was unable to walk, so I lugged her from our parking spot into the hospital...we got checked in and were called back within 5 minutes, during which time, my poor babe was so uncomfortable she couldn't sit still or find a comfortable position. Her behavior confirmed that I had, indeed, made the right decision.

We were "roomed" and seen by a doctor that had my sense of humor...sarcastic. He "diagnosed" (jokingly-ish) her with "influenza, appendicitis, and a bladder infection"...'cuz she had EVERY symptom in the book! And, she bought herself an influenza swab after all...

To rule out appendicitis (or, rule in, in our case...) they needed to do a CT scan, and so, they wanted her to drink some contrast, and by "some" I mean a giant styrofoam cup full, and do the CT an hour and a half later. Well, about 1/4 of the way into the cup, she barfed it all back up.

And by "all", I mean "ALL"...plus the Tylenol she had just taken.

CT was then done via "Plan B"...contrast via her IV. We were told we'd receive results "within" the hour.


After returning to our ER room, the nurse rechecked her temp, which had been running 100-101...it was now 103.1, and our nurse said, "Hmmm...I'll betcha it's an appy."

Shortly there after, a man in a white jacket walked in, and I immediately recognized him as one of my favorite surgeons.

SURGEONS. Er...guys. You coulda warned me you were sending the surgeon in!

I looked at him and said, "Well, it can't be a good sign that I'm seeing you!"

And, it was decided that she needed surgery...while there isn't a 100% definitive diagnostic test for appendicitis, he (and the radiologist) were quite certain that there was a "large, angry appendix" residing within her little body.

Consents were signed, vitals taken, the OR notified, our "place in line" secured...and we waited for our number to be called. (Figuratively...not literally...well, kinda not literally.)

At 11 pm last night, we kissed our baby girl good-bye as she was wheeled back to the operating room, in the hands of an anesthesiologist who blew my socks off. He was so incredible with her. EVERYONE was so incredible with her.

And SHE was incredible.

As my (previously) medically anxious (read: freakazoid) child, I was very afraid how Belle would handle this. Whether it was strength from the multitude of prayers being sent her way, or whether she was just feeling so crummy she was ready for relief (both?), she was a rock star!!

Her surgeon said her belly was quite sick...her appendix didn't appear to have ruptured, although there was a "gangrenous" area that made him question whether it hadn't ruptured earlier, then sealed itself off. She has peritonitis and lot's of inflammation in her belly...but we're headed in the right direction!


Pain is well controlled, slowly advancing her diet, fever free so far today...tomorrow we will recheck her white blood cells and see if they're decreasing, then make plans as far as discharge goes!

Thanks for all of your prayers and thoughts and kind words and encouragement!

Oh, FYI--Five Question Friday is on hiatus this week...due to obvious reasons! (And, it has taken me all dang day to write this post...lot's of visitors and interruptions...not to mention the 8 billion words I just left you with to read!)


Comments

  1. i hope she heals well!
    thinking of her, and im glad that you figured it out; and took her to the er before it did rupture! a blessing =]]
    warm wishes to a fast recovery!

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  2. Awww, poor baby girl. Well, at least now she can start feeling better. Glad everything went well.

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  3. ((Hugs)) to you both. Hope she is feeling better soon!!

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  4. Oh poor thing! I'm glad to hear she is doing much better now. We will hope for a speedy recovery!

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  5. Hi Belle,

    We've been praying for you lots and lots. Glad you're starting to feel better!

    Dawn and the rest of the K's

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  6. I hope she feels better soon!

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  7. Good call Mama M. Lots of prayers

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  8. poor baby and poor momma, my friends son just got out of the hospital after 3 days. same symptoms but his CT scan said he was clear. praying for you and for her. please take care of yourself

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  9. What do you mean you can't post 5 Q Friday from her bedside *tongue firmly in sarcastic cheek* I hope everything continues to go well and she's feeling better soon! Will keep your family in our thoughts this weekend!

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  10. Oh my goodness! I didn't see that one coming. Glad you got it and hope she's feeling all better soon.

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  11. Thanks for the update ....now get some REST!!! PRAYERS FOR A GOOD NIGHT!

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  12. Poor thing...both you and her. I hope she feels better soon.

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  13. Your poor little girl! Thank the Lord you got her to the ER and that it was taken out in time!

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  14. Glad to hear she is on the mend. Surprise surgery is never fun, been there myself. She looks like quite the trooper!

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  15. Poor little girl! And your nerves must be shot! It sounds like you're both handling it very well, though. I hope she heals quickly and you all can get some rest!

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  16. Oh poor sweet girl! That is pretty scary stuff. So glad she is on the way to feeling better. Hope you are home and 100% soon.

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  17. I'm so glad it was caught before it ruptured and that surgery went well. Praying she has a fast recovery.

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  18. Poor little Belle, hope she feels better soon!

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  19. OH poor child! I agree that appendy isn't easy to diagnose unless they go IN and see it for themselves. Thats what they had to do with me when I was 15.... just cut in and found the problem The appendix seemed ok but the area around it was not. So byebye it went.

    I sincerely hope your girl starts feeling better fast!!!!! Lots of hugs and love to you and your family!

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  20. OMGosh! How could I forget about that nasty cup o' chalk my son had to drink? (Oh yeah! I had a 6 day old!) Gosh, your story brings all right back up to the surface for me! It's so hard as a parent to see your child go through that. Prayers still coming for you guys.

    PS: Your lugging you're 9 yo into the ER reminded me of the Brian Regan ER bit. Check it out on YouTube when I get a minute. SO funny!

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  21. Poor thing! She looks like a real trooper, though. Here's to a speedy recovery!

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  22. Oh wow!! Continued prayers for Belle for a quick healing.
    Our oldest daughter did the same thing when she was 10. The surgeon said he was glad they decided to go ahead and do the appy...the appendix was ready to burst.
    Dianne @
    http://buterflydreamz.blogspot.com/

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  23. Awwww, poor little Belle. I'm glad you finally figured it out and thankfully her appendix had not ruptured. Sounds like you were in good hands and the ER experience went better than expected. Sending prayers for a speedy recovery and she gets discharged soon. :)

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  24. Awe, poor little belle! big hugs your way! xxooxxo

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  25. Oh My goodness. Gad she is doing better and prayers for a very speedy recovery. Poor little lady.

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  26. OMGoosh! Poor thing! And poor Mama too :( Glad she is doing better though. I hope she has a good recovery with as little pain as possible. I will be praying for her.

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  27. Oh goodness. I had the same surgery almost 20 years ago. Curiosity question... How big was the incision? Mine is about 2.5". Just curios how much smaller it has gotten since my surgery. On another note - I still remember how sore I was and how much it hurt to walk after the surgery. After two c-sections I still think that removing my appendix was the more painful one, LOL.
    Kimberlee
    -www.TheSpunkyDiva.com

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  28. Praise the Lord - great job mom (and daughter, and doctors). Praying for a speedy recovery.

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  29. aww poor little sweetheart, what a trooper. Glad she is on the road to recovery. My prayers are still with you all. xxx

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  30. Wow...how scary! I can't imagine going through that as a patient, never mind the mother of said patient! I'm glad things are turning around for her now though!

    And what do you mean no 5QF?! You mean you can't do it all??

    *gasp*!!!

    :D

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  31. Oh my gosh! I am so glad she is okay! What a scary experience.
    Sounds like the weekend will be one of rest, rest, and more rest!.

    Take care

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  32. Oh your sweet baby girl......Bless her for being so strong and brave!
    I bet you are so relieved its all over. How scary surgery must be for a parent. I've never had to do that (yet).
    Hugs Momma!

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  33. Oh shucks no Five Questions Friday! Nah, just kiddin. Poor little kiddo! I hope she's doing much better today. We'll be praying for a quick recovery and no more chaos to follow in your house.

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  34. Wishing a speedy recovery for your kiddo and some long overdue relaxation for you.

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  35. Sending prayers for a speedy recovery for Belle!

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  36. I hope she feels better soon! I had my appendix out when I was 15 and it wasn't fun then. Mine started the same way, minus the vomiting. I had a horrible stomach ache and thought it was because I ate Taco Bell twice in one day. Though a valid hypothesis, it turned out to be my appendix!

    Rest up and get well!

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  37. Oh my goodness! I definitely did not think of this having anything to do with the appendix. I'm glad you got it all figured out and taken care of. Prayers for a speedy recovery!

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  38. What a scary thing to happen to you all. I am glad to read she is doing well and will keep her in my prayers to heal fast with no pain. Have a great day. Kath'

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  39. Praying she heals quickly! Poor girl and poor mama!

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  40. Praying for your little angel and your whole family. I am sure she will make a speedy recovery! God bless you all!

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  41. I hope Mommy and Daughter are doing fine. I could not help but have tears in my eyes while reading this. Big virtual hugs to your family.

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  42. What a brave girl. Glad to hear she's on the mend. Wishing you all a speedy recovery.

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  43. Thank you for the billion words! I'm so glad she is on the road to recovery, what a scary couple of days you guys have had! Continuing to lift up prayers for your family and a speedy recovery!

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  44. Wow, what a week!! I am glad she is okay and on the mend!! Get well soon Belle...and hang in there fam!

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  45. Sending lots of prayers and healing thoughts your way! I hope she is feeling better soon! It is no fun having a sick kid at all, but especially when they that sick. Again, prayers!!

    Theresa
    www.full-time-job.blogspot.com

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  46. I'm with everyone else, sending all the love and healing thoughts I can in Bella's direction. I'm so glad that she got it taken care of and is on the mend!

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  47. So glad she's feeling better...

    I just had mine taken out two years ago and had to drink two cup fulls of that crap and after I drank it all, I threw it all up! I never told the doctor though...I didn't want to drink anymore :)

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  48. So glad all is getting better! As a mom I can feel your pain and know how you must have felt! I do CT scans at a hospital so I would have been bringing you the "crap" for her to have drank, what a trooper. Praying for a speedy recovery!

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