Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Appendectomy vacation: Not recommended!

Well! So that was a fun trip. Jo was discharged on Friday. That's five nights in the hospital, most of it hooked up to an IV and some other unpleasant tubing; five days without solid food; and at least five tantrums over medicine (taste thereof).

We have been so lucky up to this point with healthy kids. In 6 years we'd never been to the emergency room and the only medical procedure they'd had was one set of itty bitty ear tubes. Now I know it's true that everything else just falls away when your child is sick and really, really needs you. Jeff and I almost fought over who'd be the one to sleep in her hospital room--we traded off staying there and taking care of Opie. I hated being away from her, even when Opie and I were off having little adventures around the city (taking the Muni to the beach: best $1.50 I spent).

She's never been so sick, and she's still not better--she's achy and tired and sad. I'm afraid she's lost any faith she had in doctors and medicine and possibly even the power of her parents to make things right. Not exactly the souvenir I'd hoped to bring home from San Francisco.

In the end, Jeff and the kids got one day of sightseeing and I got one day at BlogHer. I missed the keynotes and the parties and seeing many of you, but I'm grateful for those I did get to see, and for all the warm wishes and good thoughts for Jo.

11 comments:

Amy said...

Oh dear, poor all of you. I hope she mends quickly now that you are home.

xoxoxo

Lady M said...

So sad that she suffered and that the fun plans went awry. You and Jeff did a great job making a tough situation work for the family, and we look forward to seeing you again in the future!

Tree said...

I am glad she is okay and she had at least one day of sight-seeing.

motherbumper said...

Got it: appendectomies make for lousy vacations. I'm so sorry this is how it happened and oh my holy heck I wish I had the chance to rub up against you. That just means I'll have to do it extra hard next year.

Jennifer (ponderosa) said...

Oh, no! I was thinking of you all weekend. My daughter had 6 cavities so they put her under anesthesia to fix them, and when she came out of it she fought so hard, she tried to pull the IV out of her arm and she kicked the nurse and screamed and when she could finally talk she said, "I feel like I'm dying!" And now she says she hates doctors. So I can only imagine how Jo must feel -- five days of that, oh my god, poor girl! I hope you can plan something nice just for her when she's better!

Anonymous said...

Oh I'm so sorry! I was wondering why I hadn't met you...now I know.

Hope she is fully healed soon.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry I missed you at BlogHer. There's always next year though!

I hope that your daughter's bouncy self returns soon!

Heather said...

Hope she's healing well. That's one vacation I'd rather not have!

the mama bird diaries said...

I've been thinking about you! Glad everyone is doing ok.

Magpie said...

Poor sweetie. Hope she's better soon!

jodifur said...

I'm so glad she is ok and so sorry you had to go through that.