Lin-Ley's Turn In The Emergency Room

Hopefully we are not making a monthly habit out of visiting the emergency room. Unfortunately the military hospital where the kids' pediatrician is located only has business hours Monday-Friday. For any ailments on weekends or holidays we have no choice but to go to the emergency room for care.

Yesterday around 6PM Lin-Ley started complaining of a stomach ache. She mentioned it off and on but acted normally. During the night she found her way into my bed and I could tell by the way she was twisting around in the bed that she was very uncomfortable. Needless to say she nor I got much more than about three hours of sleep.

The kids were up around 8AM this morning and Lin-Ley had no appetite. That was all I needed - if she does not eat that means she is sick. I learned that very early on about her. Sometimes there are no recognizable symptoms but if she is not eating it is time to go visit the doctors. This morning, however, she was in so much discomfort that she would just drop on the floor and hold her stomach.

Lin-Ley, Tru and I arrived at the emergency room at 11AM. We went right back to a room and the nurses began treating Lin-Ley. Soon afterward she began throwing up. Believe it or not she has never done that other than twice when she was over fed (Those that over fed her know who you are! Funny stories!) After about 3.5 hours there the doctor finally came in and examined her and felt something on the right side of her abdomen that was more rigid that he would expect. Given that it was on her right side, where the appendix is located, he wanted to get a CAT scan to rule out appendicitis.

Luckily during the long wait until this point one of the nurses found the movie "Little Mermaid II", which Lin-Ley had never seen, so she was almost in Heaven (minus the surroundings). Tru had also been a very good sport and spent a good deal of time eating snacks in her stroller and napping. Once I found out there was a CAT scan and a possible appendicitis looming I called for help. Chuck, a co-worker, and his wife Dodi were kind enough to come and get Tru from the hospital.

It was time for Lin-Ley's IV. Oh no! But it could have been worse. When the nurse was cleaning her skin preparing for the IV, Lin-Ley told her, "Can you move over. I can't see my movie." So, for the most part Lin-Ley was occupied. When it came time for the CAT scan she was as stiff as a statue. No problems there.

And the dramatic conclusion... the CAT scan showed a fairly sizable blockage in the colon which will be worked out over the next few days with medication (I have tried not to be too graphic!).

By the time we left the hospital (7.5 hours after we arrived) Lin-Ley was feeling much better. She was just hungry and exhausted. Ditto!

Who knew the kids would come home with so many presents today. Lin-Ley received a stuffed angel bear and a stuffed horse at the hospital. Tru also received a teddy bear.
Then Chuck and Dodi gave them each a gift. Lin-Ley's "feel better" gift was a really neat set of sparkley markers and Tru got a Caterpillar truck! Thanks Chuck and Dodi for all of your help!!

The classic hospital pajamas/snow boot look.

I think it's time for Tru's second hair cut. The comb-over needs some work!







So happy to be home! This shot is for Dallas.
"Look at my feet Daddy!"