Just wondering - how was your dc post op after emergency appendectomy?

[hmc]

Mine is 1 week post-op. Was open surgery rather than laparascopic. She returned to school today but I was phoned at 1.45 to collect her early because she is very tired.

How long did you dc have off school and how long before their normal energy levels were restored?

DD is 11 and in Y7

[Madmog]

It certainly sounds like you've had a rough time worrying about your daughter and having your dog pts.

The children at my daughter's school also wanted to know how she was and what had caused the problem, I guess as it's not something they come across very much. Teacher actually ended up doing a lesson on it before she returned to school and they all wanted to make her cards.

Think you're wise to allow her time to recover before getting too active. I guess you've got half term coming up which will give her chance to have a rest.

[hmc]

Hi Madmog,

Thanks for relating your experience - sounds like your dd had a bit of a rough time post-op!

Dd is still going to school (she has begged me to go) but now only for half days, hence I collected her yesterday at lunch time and she took it easy in the afternoon. Am doing same for rest of week unless dd plainly can't manage it all, but it seems to be just fine taking that approach and she is pleased to have a bit of normality back in her life - it's been a rough time, family dog was pts last week too.

Dd is in a small school - only 25-30 pupils in each year group (she is in y7) consequently the whole school knows she had her appendix out (she is getting bored by all the questions , and one of the TA's has printed out a potted history of dd's op for dd to hand out to the inquisitive!) - consequently everyone knows not to jostle her in the corridor and there are offers to carry her school bag etc

Consultant surgeon rang me from the hospital yesterday. On the sport I said, based on this thread, "6-8 weeks?" - and he said probably not so long. He advised 3 weeks off sport completely and then to take a dd led approach - if after 3 weeks she is full of beans and raring to go she can have a phased, gradual return to sport, but if she is still tired and not back to normal that's her body's way of saying 'not yet'. Apparently everyone recovers differently. Hmm - I think I would have preferred a definitive number of weeks for this, I don't like to have to use parental discretion! Might lie and tell the school that Surgeon said 4 weeks off, because I don't want her strong armed into representing the school at x-country or similar the week after half term (school is good, but Sports master a bit keen!)

[Madmog]

My daughter had an emergency appendectomy at aged eight. Like yours, my daughter was told she would be discharged within 24 hours, but in the end it was four days as she kept being sick, wouldn't eat and developed a rash which they had to assess.

On discharge, the hospital told me to allow my daughter at least two further weeks off school and be prepared to let her go into school part-time for up to a month if she needed it. I was told no vigourous exercise for six weeks and on returning to school no PE. She wasn't allowed onto the playground and had to avoid rushes in the corridors. School were fine with this. They allowed her to sit in reception each lunchtime and during PE - the girls in her class were lovely and drew up a rota to stay in with her for the month, even girls who weren't her friend. I think she enjoyed this, it got her through the day and she didn't want to come home early.

How is your daughter now? I'd keep her off school until you're sure she feels better and ask the school if she can avoid doing PE/games for a few weeks.

[hmc]

That's okay.

It does appear that it was rather duff advice!

[Elderberri]

Sorry love.

[hmc]

Are you ffs me? how very dare you
This was the advice I was given by the hospital

[Elderberri]

A week. Ffs.

[rlhmum]

The pead unit I work in recommends two weeks off school for a straight forward appendectomy.

[hmc]

Ok - phoning school tomorrow to suggest work at home arrangements. Thanks all

[AnyFucker]

A week is too soon to be back in school under these circumstances

I would keep her off the rest of this one, and is it half term for you next week ?

she should be fine after that (no PE for 6-8 weeks)

[hairylittlegoblin]

I had 3 weeks off school. No sport at all for 6-8 weeks, then a slow return. This was 20 yrs ago but an open procedure so no different in terms of recovery. I remember feeling more tired for months afterwards sp would recommend taking it very easy.

[LittleBonnie]

My DD had same aged nearly 7 for ruptured appendix, in hospital for 6 days after op and not back to school until 4 weeks after op and then no PE for another few weeks.
We found the Drs very non-committal about when to return to normal activities, they said leave it to daughter to guide us! It did take her quite a while to get better and some days she would seem to have a bit of a setback or be very tired.
Don't worry, the worst is over for you now! I do truly think it is far too early to be back at school though, perhaps the teachers could set her some work to do at home?

[hmc]

Well the ward wasn't full - children's ward.

They basically discharge them as soon as it is clear that there is no temp, their bowels have moved, they are able to walk a very little way and they can eat and drink a bit.

It's the modern way

Mind you - she probably got more sleep at home last week than she would have in hospital.

I will talk to school about what they are covering in curriculum this week and will see if I can work with her at home

[Badvoc]

Yes, do get advice.
She could end up with a haematoma in her scar...nasty.

[hmc]

Thank you all by the way for sharing your experiences

[Badvoc]

That's just insane.
I know they need the beds, but, bloody hell...
I stayed in overnight and felt rough for 4 weeks after my op (and I consider myself pretty stoic)

[hmc]

Don't worry Waswondering - I won't let her resume sport until its absolutely cast iron safe

[ToFollowJulie]

My DD had a laparascopic appendectomy last year when she was 13. She was in hospital for 2 nights, came out on a Saturday morning. That week was half term. The following Monday she went in late and I saw her head of year. She did half days that week. She was also let out of lessons a couple of minutes early so as to avoid being jolted in the corridors.

It did seem to take a long time for her to recover some stamina and resilience. I think it was all quite a shock and it seemed to knock her confidence.

Hope your DD feels better soon.

[hmc]

They did Badvoc - AND - she had the op 10.30 last Monday and was discharged by 11 am the next day!

[hmc]

Oh no Waswondering - off sport for 6 weeks! Dd will be horrified. Don't worry - I am trying to get the proper medical advice and will not push her. In fact I rang the hospital today and had a bit of a grumble, they are pulling her notes and phoning me tomorrow to advise on when safe to participate in sport (she does a lot of it) and other stuff

[Badvoc]

I really think she should not be in school - she may even still have GA in her system!!

[Badvoc]

They actually said send her to school one week post op!?

[hmc]

I do take your point in general Badvoc but Lactobacillus Casel (in Actimel, Yakult etc) has been found to help with diarrhoea (lots of references)...also I do suspect she has C.diff (good gut bacteria wiped out by antibiotics after surgery) and will probably take her to GP tomorrow and insist that they test for it if further bouts of watery diarrhoea see section 4 Digestive health

Am beginning to sound like a hypochondriac on dd's behalf aren't I !