Appendectomy

What we thought was a stomach bug was appendicitis.
The pediatrician sent us to the ER for a cat scan.

Here is Ezri waiting in the ER. She was amazing through CT scan and having an IV inserted.

Here she is after the scan in which we learned she had a perforated appendix. She’s waiting for transport by ambulance to a hospital with a pediatric surgical team. Now I’ve ridden in an ambulance with both my kids, so that’s more fair.

After a day in the hospital on fluids and IV antibiotics, she had surgery. Here she is in post surgical recovery. After they gave her medicine to calm her, she fell asleep and fumbled with her hand until she found Leona (the blue stuffed animal) and pulled it toward her.

Ezri is flushed after surgery and groggy and tired. Woof woof the dog makes the perfect pillow.

Cleared to have a popsicle at 4 a.m. She had breakfast ice cream at about 8 a.m.

Here she is a day later, perky and pleased with her french toast sticks.

Ezri received a pom pom maker and we crafted a pom pom monster that she named Sophie The Craft Monster. She is good for being with you while you make crafts according to Ezri.

Introducing Sophie the craft monster with pigtails and alot of heart.

An ER nurse named Ezri’s IV port George because it’s blue and probably a boy. She explained the ways George would help Ezri get fluids and medicine without needing to use a needle. While having the IV irritated Ezri everytime she had to get up or change her gown, she grew attached because George was helping take care of her and he’d been personified.

Ezri did not want to say goodbye to George when she was released and it was time to go. She sobbed and petted George. She wanted to keep him as a souvenir, but the hospital does not allow contaminated items to escape disposal. There is a special department called “Child Life” in the pediatric unit that was called in to help and they gave her a new, clean “George” that a nurse attached to a stuffed animal horse for her to take home to remember George. Usually, the Child Life staff explained we do this on the stuffed animal to show kids what we are going to do to them before they get an IV but it works for saying goodbye too. Ezri wanted a last picture of her and George, here it is.

Ivan enjoying frogger and Donkey Kong in the “teen lounge” on the floor. Ms. Pac-Man was pretty fun. Ivan was a bit jealous of this access to video games and the fact Ezri had fruit loops.

And she’s headed home with some lovely flowers from friends.

We are glad to be home. Last night Ezri snuggled the giant unicorn doll she’s been missing. Ivan was glad to have his big sister back. He’s missed her. They are not often separated – this is probably the longest stretch they’ve been apart since I took Ivan at 6 months old to Denver without the rest of the family.