Woods' World: Ian's Excellent Adventure!

BEWARE: LONG AND RAMBLING!

It all began Saturday night when Ian decided to go to bed early - right in the middle of Hannah's 18th birthday party. He just thought he ate too much party food. Sunday morning he woke up and felt nauseated - no vomiting. We left him at home to catch up on his rest and went to church without him. When we got back home he still was feeling nauseated and was having a little abdominal pain - I asked him where it hurt and he placed his hand right on his belly button. My radar still wasn't working on this and I just encouraged him to try some saltine crackers. No joy - he wouldn't partake. I proceeded to walk about 3 miles on the treadmill. He ambled in and out of the sunroom where I was walking and just wasn't comfortable. After my walk I checked on him again and he said his stomach hurt a little more. Once again I asked him where it hurt and this time he said...well it is moving down here and placed his hand in the RLQ area. Uh Oh...my radar was now functioning and I checked his temp...only 98.7. About a degree above his normal. I texted Kevin at work and told him I was a little concerned Ian might have appendicitis. We drove over to Spotsylvania Regional Hospital. The bumps on the road made the pain worse. That's not good. I was getting the feeling we were doing the right thing, while at the same time thinking I was over-reacting. Isn't that just crazy? He got right in to see the Doctor in the Emergency room. After his initial exam he suspected an early appendicitis and ordered a CT Scan. I felt better about bringing him in now, but worse becaue it was looking more like he might be staying a while. Kevin made it there about the time they were starting his IV and giving him a big dose of Zofran so he wouldn't puke up the 2 bottles of contrast he now had to drink. After the CT scan the docotr confirmed the dx of appendicitis and contacted the surgeon on call. About
10 pm Ian got admitted into his room to wait for the surgeon who was perforning another emergency surgery. Dr Fortunato didn't make it to Ian's room until 1:30 am. Kevin and I were both actually relieved when he said he would do the surgery between 9am and 12 noon. Doesn't everyone want a well rested surgeon working on their child? Kevin went home to rest and check on Hannah and Jacob while Ian and I tried to get some shut eye in Rm 4109. I have forgotten how noisy hospitals can be - especially when someone is coming in every hour to check vitals or give antibiotics. Amazingly, Ian did not ask for any pain medicine until 4am. I think he is one tough cookie. As the nurse was pushing the morphine, he said "whoa" and then again "whoa" before sleep was finally his friend. We slept until 6:45. At 11:15 am they came in to get him for his 9am surgery! Kevin and I were able to accompany him down to the pre op rooms and wait until after his interviews with the anesthesiologist and one more visit with the surgeon, then off he went about 12:30. What do worried parents do when their child is wheeled off to the OR? We went straight to the cafeteria! Just kidding - we stopped by the chapel on the way and prayed one more time for Ian and the surgeon and the nurses, then we ate. Spotsy Regional has a fabulous cafeteria by the way! I don't mean to be flippant - we really were concerned for our guy and we had some visits during the morning from our church family who prayed for him and I knew everyone at my school was praying for him and of course his Grandparents were praying for him. And Kelsey and Hannah and Jacob too! Plus all his teachers. I felt a great comfort knowing so many were petitioning the Father about Ian and his surgery. After all, we know from the book of James, that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Ian was back in his room by 3pm and the surgeon said the appendix was "nasty". Ouch! Usually, I lack that mercy gene and just tell the kids to tough it out. I am so glad I listened to that still small voice! And just like Leroy Jethro Gibbs (NCIS) lightly slaps the back of heads at NCIS, I felt God (and Kevin) do that to me Sunday afternoon to get me moving. Thank you Lord. Ian came home Monday night about 8 hours after his appendectomy. So far his recovery is just amazing me. I have rambled long enough but one more thing. I have always said I felt like I was born in the wrong century - that the 1800's were more my style. After this little episode I don't feel that way anymore. The first appendectomy in the United States wasn't performed until 1885...and even then mortality rates for appendicitis were very high. Today, I am thanking the Lord for modern medicine!