Remember on Tuesday when we went to Chuckie Cheese? I took Lauren with us because she said she didn't "feel well". I had noticed she wasn't herself for a few days but she was also going through an intense life guard course to get certified and I figured she was just worn out. So during that visit she said a few times her stomach was hurting but we kept walking around. We left and went to lunch were she ate really good. Came home at 1 and she crawled right into bed. I checked on her several times between 1 p.m and 10 p.m that day and she just seemed to be way tired so I didn't wake her.
Wednesday morning about 7 a.m I went to wake her for school. She told me she had been up all night vomiting and severe stomach pains. I then noticed she had fever and looked "different". I called Terry at work and told him something just isn't right. He ran home to take her to the doctor. I was unable to because it was my day with extra kids.
I will skip over all the details of that VERY long day...we ended up at South East Memorial Hospital with appendicitis. We arrived there about 7 p.m knowing they would schedule surgery Thursday morning. Well things seem to change for her fast. As we were waiting to be checked she developed a higher fever and a ton more pain. She was going downhill fast.
The next thing I know a man walks in and says "Hi I am Dr. Wollfe and I will be doing surgery on your daughter." I say now? Yes we are leaving right now.
I had no time to ask questions and honestly I had no questions for once in my life. I knew she was in so much pain they just needed to get that "lil booger" out.
I can honestly tell you for one time in my entire life I was not worried at all about a surgery. She needed relief and I was worried her appendix would rupture.
I realized as were were transporting her upstairs it was very urgent because the doctor called the nurse on why it what was taking "so long" to get upstairs. I thought we were going fast but apparently not.
Getting ready for Surgery
This picture is 20 minutes after surgery, her surgery only lasted about 20 minutes! During that time I was alone. Normally that is difficult for me but Terry had to stay home with Natalie, Ashlynn and Nick. I really didn't even have time to think about being alone either. I just wanted her to feel better.
When she came out of surgery the first words out of her mouth were "OH MY GOD I FEEL BETTER!" Then she cried. Part of the crying was the meds. and the rest was because she was hurting from the surgery. The next few hours were rocky and after we were released from the hospital Thursday night (not even 24hrs later) we ended up going back on Friday with high fever and a few other symptoms. We spent 8 hrs there and came home later with new meds.
Today is Sunday and I can actually see life in her eyes. Huge difference today! THANK YOU GOD!
So in the mean time during all of this...Terry was at home with the kids. I was at the hospital unable to leave because Lauren was under 18. I learned alot from this little experience.
1. Never doubt your gut feeling.
2. Don't worry about depending on others, if they ask they do want to help. I still haven't been able to do this but had decided if she was re admitted Friday I needed help.
3. If you doubt something that is being done don't be afraid to ask questions. Everyone gets so busy and things do get forgotten.
4.Always take socks to the hospital! :)
5.When I was signing paperwork for surgery I had the dreaded can we give blood during an emergency question...for a split second I thought HOLY COW what do I do? Yes give blood to save my child. I never thought I would have to make that kind of decision.
6.Take snacks!
7.Be patient.
8. I am the one in the house that stresses the most. While they were at the doctor I was organizing,cleaning, rearranging and almost like I was nesting before having a baby. I had also packed a bag without realizing I had done this.
9. No matter how perfect you want things to go it is ok if sometimes things fall apart.
10. I am not always in control...and that is ok! Things still work.
In the mean time as all this is going on Natalie was getting ready for her District Solo in Orchestra. She was dreading it and really hoping all of this would keep her from going. She then was begging not to go, she was going to be the first one to go at 7:30 a.m Saturday morning.
I sat her down Friday night and had to have a talk with her. Honestly I was exhausted and it would have been so much easier to not go but I felt that was not a good lesson to teach her or any of them. We don't quit or give up on commitments. She was very upset because she had not been practicing the past few weeks and failed to learn the music. Not good but she did decided she wanted to play this instrument. She also knew about this solo about 4 months ago so don't think it was just dropped in her lap at the last minute. She cried and begged but I told her I know she can do it and if not then this needs to be a lesson on why we follow through with things.
Now let me just say....this child has never failed at anything she has ever done. She is very competitive and hard on herself. I was able to go in for the judging and I nearly fell out of my chair. I was shocked! She played beautifully! I hate that she decided not to play the violin next year and I am not totally convinced I am going to let her quit next year.
So on Saturday evening we decided to take a break and go to a friend's Birthday party. We had a blast...that ended way sooner then we wanted it to. Ashlynn stepped in ants and was bitten about 5 times on her foot. Immediatly we noticed hives,welps and she was rubbing her eyes. It took us all a few minutes to realize she was having a severe allergic reaction! We only live 5 minutes away so we jump in the truck to go home...by the time we get home she was so red all over, eyes,ears and body parts swollen. Every area she has glands swelling and redness and then came the dry coughing! You know in my head I am thinking OH GOD I hope this is not a dreaded ER visit. We did give her benadryl...alot of it! Don't worry I called the Pharmacy who also told me most likely her next time will be much worse and all insects may do this. GREAT! She is fine now.
So it is now Sunday and Lauren is looking A LOT BETTER! She is moving around and sleeping less. Now maybe we can have a nice relaxing day home.
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