We have been home for 3 days after a 7 day stay in the hospital with K. Now y'all...I know that this is not a long time in the big scheme of things, and I also know there are parents with much sicker kids than mine - but, 7 days of no sleep, tests for days while you are waiting on answers is simply exhausting. So...here is where I give a big shout out to all the parents and families where this is their norm. I cannot imagine doing what you do/have done, and I say this and mean it with my whole heart - please reach out if you need anything!! Anywho...moving on. On May 16, K started vomiting and for anyone who knows her or our struggle - this is terrifying. Since she was 13, if she started vomiting we have ended up in the hospital for an extended stay. So, to say she panics when this starts may be an understatement, and this is not our first rodeo. I picked her up, and we came home. Now...everyone knows we live on houseboat and we have a long walk to get home. When we got to the first dock, she was doubled over sitting down, screaming in pain and still vomiting. At that point, I made the decision to forget home and go straight to the hospital. We arrive around 8:30 pm that evening, and were finally admitted and got to her room around 3:30 am. And, that is where it started. The next morning, the hospitalist, GI specialist, and general surgeon came in, As she is telling all doctors what she is feeling, what hurts, and explaining in detail every symptom - 2 of the 3 doctors did everything except tell her she was making all of this up and it was in her head. Now...anyone who knows me, can only imagine just how well that went over. Everyone agreed that what she was describing were gallbladder problems, but no one wanted to check because after all..."18 year old's don't have those issues." Thankfully, the hospitalist decided to do an ultrasound and CT of her abdomen. The results, a distended gallbladder, but no gall stones. So again, the other 2 - "it can't be her gallbladder if there are no gallstones. That would be rare, and it just doesn't happen to 18 year old's" Day 3, of still no answers, K is still nauseous despite zofran, phenegran, and reglan all given by IV on a regular basis. The hospitalist comes in and says he thinks we should do an endoscopy and a HIDA scan. The HIDA scan will check the functionality of the gallbladder. Hallelujah!!! I was jumping for joy...now, we might get some answers. The next morning (Sunday) they called in a nuclear team for the scan, and took her down. And, surprise surprise - there was no gallbladder function...I mean it didn't even show up on the scan. The next morning, the surgeon comes in and says, "well, I saw the results from the scan and it looks like gallbladder is coming out tomorrow, after the endoscopy today." What I haven't told you is that every doctor that came in every morning, I argued K's side while they were all for the most part telling her she was making it all up and she was fine. Thankfully, I pushed enough where they actually ran the tests to find out that there was no gallbladder function, The final post-op diagnosis was chronic cholecystitis. Then I asked the dreaded question, "Is this what we have been dealing with for 5 years?" and the answer was, "probably so."
In addition to all the crazy gallbladder issues, they could not get her blood pressure regulated (one night it was down to (78/29), she ran a fever for 6 days, had a bacteria infection in her intestines and stomach, and they discussed her having sepsis. Y'all...I say all of this to remind every parent - fight for your kids, even if you're not sure what you are fighting for. When they don't have a voice, or no one is listening - make sure they are heard. We had 7 days of no sleep, and some complications since we have been home, but my princess is finally on the mend.
In the last 10 days, my oldest has put his life on hold making sure Sadie is taken care of, and that we had everything we needed. My soldier has checked in multiple times a day to make sure his sissy is okay. My parents were at the hospital every day to make sure I wasn't alone. My sister came to sit with K, just so I could have an hour to myself. K's co-workers have stepped up and taken all of her shifts. Friends showed up with food, to make sure I was fed. My co-workers have been amazing in making sure nothing dropped through the cracks, because this is my crazy time of year. Unexpected friendships have come out of this week, and quite honestly - this may have been my highlight. Out of town family has called and checked in every day, and the number of people who have showed up and prayed with us and for us I cannot count.
To say thank you to everyone for the past 10 days does not seem enough. I love you all, and couldn't imagine doing life without my people, so THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!
