We are down two baby teeth (and final ones for K man. Yup, they are all gone).
We are also short one appendix. (I'm not talking about mine-I lost mine 10 years ago).
Kellen's is MIA.
Last Friday, November 7th. K made his way into my room at 1 am complaining of stomach problems. Being the completely sympathetic mom that I am rolled over and sent him back to bed. He came in crying this time-twenty minutes later. I said there was nothing we could do and to go back to BED. C got up and offered some tums-he's a softie.
At 5:45, my door was flung open, not by K-man, but my his little brother G. He said K needed my help. I obviously thought he was having a dream, and tucked him back into bed. As I went to leave K said mom, my stomach is hurting so bad I can't sit up. I couldn't get out of bed to get you, so I woke up G and had him get help. I carried him into bed with me where he moaned and groaned for about 45 minutes. Then the tears came. I asked him where it hurt, he said his stomach. I gave him my hand and told him to put my hand exactly where it hurt, he immediately put it on his right side. A little alarm went off. I was a little nervous, but trying to stay calm. I called C-who was already at the hospital. He told me a couple test to do all of which even pointed more that it was his appendix. He told me to take him to the ER. It's 7:30 am. Who do you call at 7:30- my nicest neighbor-Marci. I dropped off J & G and told her I didn't know how long I'd be (still not convinced it was appendicitis). We were off. K started crying on the way over saying he didn't want his stomach cut open (how does a 6 year old know this anyway). I tried to re-assure him telling him to take it a step at a time, but all the time in my gut wondering if it really was going to happen.
We got to the hospital at 8 and were the only ones there. We were admitted 45 minutes later and it was all downhill from there.
PS- I must admit up to this point I am feeling like the crappiest mom for sending K back to bed twice without validating him BUT i must say I think I totally redeemed myself when I realized I had my camera in my purse. Who actually gets pictures of an ER visit from start to finish..other than Rachel who has pictures of EVERYTHING including a piece of green pepper stuck IN her husband's throat that he had choked on :). So, needless to say, I pulled my camera out and started snapping away.
At first he was acting so silly. When he had to put on a gown, he just looked at me and I kept telling him 'how much I loved his dress, madame'
He was SO glad when Corey came. He just kept hugging him and telling him how much he loved him and how glad he was that he was there...what am I, chopped liver. Please notice that i did have him bring his favorite bear ever- good job for me...trying to redeem myself still.
You may notice the red blotchy face he has (something he inherited from me when he cries). The reason he was crying? THE IV? No. The stomach Pain? No. He had to drink contrast-stuff they use to see your organs and guts inside your body. he HATED it. It was a struggle to get him to drink half a glass full. He said it tasted like poo. I started to refer to it as poo water (trying to lighten the situation). We finally got the half a glass down, after about 1/2 hour and I was starting to feel relieved until I looked over and saw ANOTHER cup of the poo water. Luckily reinforcements came (C) and we found out he could drink it down with something. Then it become a drink of poo water, apple juice etc.. he repeated it until both glasses were gone. Hooray for apple juice.
Getting his CT scan, pretty painless, but he was ticked because when it started they said he could breathe.
After waiting 2 1/2 hours for results that would be ready in 20 minutes. And listening to a lady (or possibly a man) in the room next to us who had the worst case of throwing up I had EVER heard, we finally got the results. Acute appendicitis. He started crying. I tried not to let him see me crying. poor kiddo, his worst nightmare was coming true.
They were going to cut his stomach open.
He was so nervous.
We got him settled and the surgeon said it would be at least 2 hours (we planned on 4-6). After spending a day at the hospital, we realized their time was different from everyone else in the world. I ran home to get J and G who had been at Marci's ALL day! I just got them home, fed, and was just leaving to get dinner for me and C who had eaten ALL day except for some gummi peaches (you feel bad for eating in front of your 6 year old who CAN'T eat)- C called and said surgery called and they said they were coming to get him-and then his phone went dead. I went into panic mode. i drove to my other cute friend Rachel who I had talked to earlier and she said she would call me when she got home so I could bring the kids by. She hadn't called. I knew her husband would be home. I ran up to their door with two kids, their blankets and PJ's and he answered the door with a confused looked on his face. I crazily explained what was going on, he was SO nice and said leave 'em. I ran out the door.
I cried most of the way to the hospital as I was stuck in traffic. I had PROMISED K I would be back before he went to surgery. What if I didn't make it on time? What if something went wrong? I finally made it to the hospital and ran inside. I found K and G here...
playing video games and having a great time.
Of course, why hadn't i realized it would be another hour after they called.
This is actually a great idea. K was so nervous before they got up here. But he just played video games and wasn't even nervous about the surgery.
After the surgery feeling a little better, but in A LOT of pain. He would only whisper and point at things.
Cute dog. He's a therapy dog and his owner brings him around to the rooms to help calm the patients. (As most of you know I am not an animal lover, but this dog was so nice and it really did cheer K up!)
So excited to be coming home!
All we're missing is his appendix.
We realized the great friends we have gained since we've been here.
Marci watched our kids for 10 hours
Rachel watched our kids for 4 hours and well into the night
Jan called a couple times to make sure we were ok
Tara called to see if she and her son could come by the hospital
Tara, Eliza and Heather came by our house to visit K
Alexis called to see if she could bring dinner
Katie called to see if we needed dinner
My cute sister called and offered to fly out and sent a get well package
Mary called and wanted to know what she could do and also sent a package
(I'm sure I'm forgetting people..sorry)
So many phone calls and well-wishes. We have been so blessed with great friends.
Thanks for all your support and love.
He's doing GREAT!
