Appendectomy

Thursday morning, the 28th, Andrew texted me from school saying his stomach hurt.  We texted back and forth for over an hour- trying water, going potty, time, nurse, heating pad...I finally went and got him around 10:00.  He laid on the couch uncomfortable while I went about my day.  He hardly ate anything for lunch, and wouldn't even watch tv becasue it hurt so bad.  The pain got worse and worse.  By 6:00 pm he was in enough pain that it hurt to move at all.  He had hardly eatten a thing and he was shaking with chills.    I contacted the health joy app and while waiting for them to call me back I started looking up appendicitis. 

Quick care closes at 8 so we just decided to take him in.  Greg gave him a blessing and he had an uncomfortable ride to Quick Care.  We hobbled in.  Andrew unable to sit just laid on the floor.  The receptionist immediately called the nurse.  The doctor saw us quickly; a few questions and a light push on Andrew's appendix sealed the deal.  We were off to the Hospital.

He hated the drive and could barley walk in.  They got him a wheel chair.  At this point he was shaking in pain and really struggling.  He was admitted and started the ER process.  Urine sample, doc eval, IV, Covid test, blood samples, questions, pain meds, ultrasound... We were really grateful when the pain meds finally kicked in.  This first pic is before and the second is after.  He had totally shut down, no talking, blood shot eyes, shivering, moaning, and then suddenly he started asking questions, talking to all the nurses - such a relief.  Then the news came- needs the appendix out, can't do it at this hospital because he is a pediatric patient, gets to ride in an ambulance and positive Covid test!

Totally shocked by the Covid results.  No symptoms but it definitely threw a wrench in everything.  We got to the hospital around 8:00 and Andrew finally got in the ambulance a bit after 12:00 am.  I drove to Boise and met Andrew there.  They pumped him full of antibiotics and took him back for surgery around 1:00.  I waited and read my book, and waited and waited.  So tired but unable to sleep.  Finally at 3:00 the surgeon came and said all went well.  The appendix was gangrenous, which is the step before rupture, so he needed to stay 24 hours and take more anitbiotics.  30 minutes later they took me to him.  He was still pretty out of it, but even half asleep he told all the nurses thank you when they moved him around.  It took a while to get him settled in the Covid wing of the hospital, answer all the nurses questions and get myself ready to sleep.  It was 4:30 am and I was exhausted.  Annoying alarms got me out of bed several times before they woke us at 7:00 am for breakfast (why so early?!).  Andrew woke right up ready to face the day.  He contacted friends and I read while we waited for the doc.  Then his phone died and we borrowed an iPad.  We watched tv while we waited for the doc.  Then the nurse told us the doc would come soon but we should plan on staying another night so Greg brought us some supplies and I wished I was napping but we were still waiting for the doc.  Dinner ordered, phones charging, teeth brushed, when at 3:00 pm the doc finally came and told us we could go home- what a pleasant surprise!  We were home by 5:00. 

We joke that Andrew got a very expensive spray tan becuase his whole stomach looks orange.  I'm amazed that they just took his appendix out of his belly button hole but he is worried that it will kind of be a half outtie now.  I slept for 12 hours Friday night.  We are all quarantined at least till next Monday.  So far no major symptoms.  He had a bit of a runny nose and I had a headache, but my test from yesterday came in negative so we will hope no one really gets sick.  It was a very crazy adventure full of twists and turns but I'm so grateful he isn't in pain anymore and we caught it before it ruptured.  His name on Among Us now is 'No Appendix'.  He is proud to be in the 10% of people without an appendix.