Abdominal Pain

This is an unexpected blog entry. Matt (and a few others in our family) have been dealing with Delhi Belly - stomach troubles for the past two weeks on and off so I didn't think too much of it when Matt didn't want dinner and said his stomach hurt. A little later he was running a fever and was consistently saying "I just don't feel right" which is odd wording for him and had me concerned - my mothers instincts were raised. A couple Advil and he was sleeping soundly until about midnight when stomach cramps became very severe and some vomiting followed. Great, I thought, at least we know it's the stomach flu. But, the pain got worse and very specific to the right side - more pain than I've ever seen one of my kids experience - something felt wrong. But now what? I'm SO spoiled at home. Hop in my car and run over to U of M - state of the art or if I'm in the mood - go over to St. Joe's Pediatric ER. Spoiled. I started to panic because - well I shouldn't have but I did. Matt looked desperate when in so much pain and I was sure his appendix was exploding (hear the panic in my voice?). John woke up his boss at 2am who called Captain (the guy in charge of all the drivers) who got a hold of a driver to get our car and come to the apartment. We clearly need a better emergency plan which is what will come out of this experience. An hour later we were at the hospital. How do I describe the hospital? Not state of the art but not archaic either. No computers. I was greeted at the ER door by two people (only two there) who looked at me until the woman finally said "we talked" - she was the one who advised me to bring him in when I called the hospital. She was also the doctor and the one who did all the paperwork (with the ONE sheet of carbon paper she used carefully) - no forms, no computers, no high tech equipment. Still, I felt calm and she seemed capable. Just different.

Matt is fine. They want him back today to look at his upper right quadrant (gallbladder and kidney) via ultrasound - the area where he is so tender. Appendixes are lower so she quickly ruled that out. I'm hoping at the end of the day it's just a GI Tract infection we can treat with some antibiotics. An experienced Indian woman who I played tennis with this morning (yes, I played after spending much of the night at the hospital - you can't back out of doubles play or you ruin it for everyone) said that many people here at our apartment are sick (in the tummy area) from the water... and hopefully that's all it is. I agree. I hope that's all it is.

As a side note, on my way down to the car with Matt in my arms, I ran into our neighbors coming home who we really haven't officially met yet. They also have two boys and gave me some quick advice prior to my exit to the hospital (in case it was his appendix and needed surgery) which really calmed my nerves. They then stopped at our apartment to let John know they were available to help in any way. The people we meet continue to be warm, helpful and sincere.