Need reassurance and/or a kick please! Scared

[confusedofengland]

DH has just taken DS1 to the OOH based in our local hospital & I can't stop worrying.

DS is 12, normally fit & healthy. Yesterday morning he woke up complaining of stomach pain. I gave my stock reaction which was to tell him to do a poo & have some food, as ime these normally help. He is also prone to exaggerating, as he told me himself, so I thought he was doing that. He threw up a little later on & didn't move or eat much for the rest of the day. We thought tummy bug. He woke up 3 times in the night, so we gave Calpol & got him to drink water.

He felt a lot better this morning but still obviously not right. He did his schoolwork today (no live lessons), although slower than usual & taking lots of breaks. Has only eaten a few crackers & a spoonful of rice, no appetite. He didn't move much as he said it hurts a lot when he moves.

This evening we sent him to bed at about 7.30. He has been doubled up in agony since eating a few spoons of rice at about 6.30pm. Sobbing, can't get comfortable, even with medicine & hot water bottle etc. We rang 111 as we were worried by this point & they asked us to bring him in. So now I am waiting & have convinced myself it could be all sorts I also feel bad for having been so dismissive yesterday

Ah that's good they've diagnosed and treated him so quickly. I had my appendix out at the same age- in those days parents weren't allowed to stay overnight so I was on my own so it's great your DS has one parent there.

He should be home v soon after the op for some tlc and spoiling, do make sure your other DC know to keep away from your DS's tummy area so no jumping about or rough play for a while whilst it heals- I remember my little brother trying to jump on me a few days post surgery

Good tip about the rough housing, the little two do like to do that, especially as DS2 doesn't necessarily think/understand due to his autism.

Is there anything I should get in for his return? Am working on the basis we may have to self-isolate until I know otherwise. Thinking bland foods like for a tummy bug but have also heard ice cream is good.

Was just checking in to see how everything went today - great that they have taken it out so quickly. I had a quick google about hospital discharge and isolation, but there doesn’t seem to be any info about non Covid patients which makes me think that you probably don’t have to (ask your DH to check with them perhaps).
Please don’t beat yourself up about not realising it was serious. The PP is absolutely right that it clearly wouldn’t have made any difference in terms of treatment as they didn’t rush into immediate surgery. You sought medical help when it became clear there was a problem - we would all have done the same.
Hopefully he will be home soon for some TLC, and you can all sleep a bit better tonight (maybe not your DH if he has another night in hospital on one of those horrendous fold out chair things!).

Thanks for checking in @Sunnysausage, it means a lot. DH popped home today for clean clothes & to give me the car (only one we have) & I've spoken to DS on video call a couple of times. He seems fairly upbeat. Hopefully he should be home tomorrow afternoon.

I asked DH to ask about isolation, he says they haven't mentioned anything so far. They actually have a room to themselves that has a little parent bed in the corner, so it's more comfy than it could be. He says they've all been amazing & Covid hasn't compromised the care, which is great. I am very thankful for our NHS right now.

He's just told me they are bringing an Xbox to the ward tomorrow, maybe he won't want to come home after all 🤣

That's great news OP. Here's to a full and speedy recovery xx

He'll be fine op.. it's out and he'll feel much better soon.
My ds1 did the same a few years ago.. he was 17 and had an evening job at Dominos and had to come home because he had such a bad stomach ache.. I told him he was probably constipated from free pizza!

About midnight he woke from dozing and looked awful so off we went to A+E and they whipped his appendix out in the early hours. 5 days later he went to Reading Festival with his sisters!!!! Ok he was still moving somewhat gingerly but he was determined to go, and had a great time.

Hope your son recovers speedily :)

Lovely to hear he is doing so well - hopefully he will be out very soon, X-box permitting! Can’t believe the festival-going 5 days after an appendectomy

He's home now. Came home about lunchtime. Doing pretty well, but a bit of pain & quite emotional at bedtime.

He asked me to get DH something to say thank you for being there, which broke my heart. I would have given anything to be there with him & I will always regret that I wasn't 💔

Sorry - only just saw this. Please don’t feel bad about not being able to be there - you both did the absolute best you could, with all your responsibilities. He is obviously a lovely boy to be thinking of saying thank you, and that is a credit to you both - but they can’t necessarily see the bigger picture at that age... So glad he’s on the mend anyway