Post appendix nightmare - anyone got any advice

[Mascarponeandwine]

My 11yo son had his appendix out by keyhole surgery 10 days ago and life has been a nightmare since. In and out of hospital 3 times, now been in since Thursday. He has a wound infection (subcutaneous?) but ultrasound didn’t show a large mass, and his temperament keeps spiking. He’s been on two lots of iv antibiotics but tbh it’s not really making a difference. No preexisting conditions and the doctors can’t work out what’s happening with the temperature spikes. Feels like all this is far worse than the appendix symptoms. Anyone know anything about this - will it ever end?

I had an awful wound after mine. I had to have metronidazole and co-amoxiclav at the same time which made me really ill. I also had to have the wound dressed in iodine solution every other day by the practice nurse. My temperature was so high at one point I was delusional. Luckily a friend phoned and realised I was talking total nonsense so rang an ambulance. It took about ten days to feel better but I lost so much weight. This was all about 12 years ago but god I've Never been so ill.

I think that’s what he’s on, 2 different types of drip and someone recently definitely mentioned metronidazole.

Was feeling hopeful today but he had a temperature spike of 38.8 at 6pm, so we’re definitely in for another day (day 12).

I truly feel like this is never going to end

Poor lad, have they swabbed his wound and done blood tests, hope he recovers soon wnpd starts to feel better.

Yep, all the blood tests under the sun. Urine tests, ultrasounds, chest x ray to exclude pneumonia. He has no other symptoms, apart from the red patch under the wound (which has got a bit smaller but not miraculously so) and temperature spikes in the early evening. He says the wound doesn’t even hurt any more.

We are in a big teaching hospital with a good reputation. The senior doctors are confused 😐 they are very good though.

My DNeph had this last year. If I remember correctly, it turned out he had two massive internal abscesses which needed draining surgically, and only one of them was spotted on the ultrasound. The other they saw when they went to surgically drain the first one. It could be worth pushing for a CT scan if he doesn't pick up, or even a laparoscopic exam of his insides (but obviously you'll want to avoid more surgery). Your poor boy. I hope he gets better soon

Thank you, I’ll ask them in the morning if abscesses are a possibility. I’m trying to stay away from google - it’s telling me that temperature spikes at the same time every day could be a brain tumour . I have mentioned it to the registrar who thinks probably not in the absence of other brain malfunction symptoms. Am terrified he’s going to die. I think not having left the hospital for over 48 hours and being on my own isn’t helping.

Additionally stressful as we both work full time so are trying desperately to keep our jobs. I’m taking annual leave tomorrow and oh is going to speak to his Hr to see where he stands. Luckily MIL has arrived to help with the other kids school runs etc.

Did they scan the whole abdomen, or just the wound? Just thinking, especially if the appendix had burst, could have an abscess hiding elsewhere in the abdomen... There's a very old saying: "Pus somewhere, pus nowhere, pus under the diaphragm"

Your poor ds. Sounds like they are being very thorough. Hopefully they will get to the bottom of it soon. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

Yep they scanned the whole abdomen - kidneys liver spleen everything! They have asked for nil by mouth this morning, so I wonder if they’re going to go in again and see if they can spot anything.

Your not going to loose your jobs when you have a sick child. You are entitled to parental leave - won’t be paid but provides you with security.

Worst I've ever felt. Mine ruptured and I got peritonitis - on IV antibiotics for 2 weeks. Then when I went home my wound came open and I got a massive infection in it . I had to be stitched up again and was on 2 lots of ABs. That was 10 years ago and my tummy has never been the same, with this ugly puckered scar.

Best wishes to your DS - and to you. Appendixes are nastier than they sound.

The appendix hadn’t burst and they got it out in one. The op did take over two hours though - the surgeon said something about it being a bit stuck / tricky / took some fiddling about to avoid an open operation.

He seems to feel ok in himself, though he looks pale and off colour. Eating and drinking. It’s just these temperature spikes, and the redness of the wound has only slightly responded to the ab’s. He’s walking a bit straighter.

When my sister was sick post op it was because there was infection left in her abdomen. They had to put a drain in. I hope he gets better soon op

He’s had another ultrasound, it shows some inflammation but no obvious large abscesses or pockets of pus. Now waiting to see if he’s going to have a CT scan.

DS has his out last year then aged 7 & was so ill afterwards. He didn’t have an infection but his bowel went into paralysis & he was unable to eat or drink anything & was very near to being fed via TPN.
It was awful, so distressing to watch him wasting away before our eyes. We saw so many other children come in, have their appendix removed, & see their recovery & wave them off home. I got more & more despairing as the days went on.
When we got home I have to say it took a good three months to get him fully recovered - he did develop a wound infection later which needed daily dressing for 3 weeks with our practice nurse.
It was a truly horrible time, you & your DS have my sympathies. I really hope he’s on the mend & home soon .

How is he today OP? Any improvement, or any word about the CT?

They have decided to take him into surgery again, to see the extent on the (bowel?) inflammation and remove any pus they can find. We are just waiting to be called. He is dying for a drink but can’t have one. We too are watchjng kids come and go while we are still here. Nightmare continues. I am st that point where I just want him to stay alive

I can’t imagine we’ll ever go home. It seems so far away. We have had a horrendous time since the autumn when we had another family tragedy, and the normal that I used to moan about seems like something that is just gone.

Oh god OP I'm sorry. I hope he gets called soon and that they get to the bottom of it. My DSis was in your position this time last year, it's so.scary I know.

OMGithurts did they manage to sort out the abscesses laparoscopically? They’re talking about opening him right up if they find it’s needed.

They definitely didn't fully open him. His scars are very neat and tidy. I remember there was talk of going in rectally at one point but not sure if they did it. They can see a lot laprascopically.

Hi,I am the Sister of OMGitHurts.My DS had another laparoscopic surgery were they removed three litres of pus from absences that they couldn’t see on any scan.He was in surgery for a lot longer than expected due to this,so try not to worry if that happens to you.He was on antibiotics after this,which within a week then started to really improve him.It was a horrendous time but he recovered in full after the second surgery to drain all the pus.Hope all goes well for you.

Also,hi sis

I was wondering when you would see this thread wee sis.

OP I will be thinking of you, and will say a prayer if that is something that will comfort you.