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Original poster

Post appendix nightmare - anyone got any advice

196 replies

Mascarponeandwine · 26/01/2019 22:24

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? Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Mascarponeandwine · 29/01/2019 18:31

Thank you that’s so kind. How long was your son in hospital after the pus drainage?

We are still waiting for theatre. The nurses got the heads up an hour ago that he could have a drink as the surgeons would be a while on the previous case Smile small victories

The woman opposite us’ child is in theatre, it’s taken longer than expected. Know what she’s going through.

OP posts:
OMGithurts · 29/01/2019 18:40

In lieu of DSis coming back - he was out about 5 days after the surgery, and he had been in for a couple of weeks beforehand. He had lots and lots of pus so they waited til it was mostly drained.

peridito · 29/01/2019 18:56

I'm so sorry this is happening Mascarponeandwine ,I wish I could say something more helpful .

It sounds as though your son is in a good hospital and I feel sure they will get to the bottom of it .We forget that for all the medical advances that things aren't always straightforward .

Don't forget to look after yourself and don't get dehydrated .Hospitals are so hot and dry .

Thinking of you .Flowers Brew

hang on in there .

ichoochoochooseu · 29/01/2019 21:43

Oh op I'm so sorry. I know what you mean about normal seeming such a distant memory. It will happen though.

My sis went back in to have abscesses removed and infection that was through her abdomen. It was done through key hole. They kept her in another 1-2 weeks to make sure it was fully drained. She then was at home for a few weeks recovering.

I hope the surgery goes well. Thinking of you Thanks

Original poster
Mascarponeandwine · 29/01/2019 23:13

He’s still in surgery. They’re putting a line in so they can get blood easier (currently traumatic) and possibly feed him direct into a vein if the bowel needs to rest. They found a fair amount of infection and the pus was hidden by loops of bowel stuck to each other. so theyre clearing that all out.

At least they’ve found something. 10% chance of him getting further infection and needing more surgery. 90% chance we’ll be on the up. They narrowly avoided putting in a stoma bag. He’ll be on morphine and antibiotic for a few days minimum.

This must be unusual for an appendix op?

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BigBairyHollocks · 29/01/2019 23:17

You must be out of your mind f OP.As my sis above Seuss,my da spent another 5 days in hospital after the op,he improved quickly.He also got a central line out in during his op as it had become difficult for him to eat and for them to draw blood by that stage.it was difficult to see him like that but if really did help him improve.My doctor said that about 10% of post appendix ops can go like this.Its so hard,Flowers for you.

marbley · 29/01/2019 23:28

Glad they have found the problem and hopefully he will be able to start getting better.

It's sounds like you've all been through quite an ordeal. Good job he had a Mum like you looking out for him. Don't forget to take care of yourself. Sleep/eat when you can X

Original poster
Mascarponeandwine · 30/01/2019 01:27

He’s back on the ward. Please keep everything crossed that we’re in the 90% that now get better. Smile

They said that if he starts bringing up loads of bile and is in lots of pain and his abdomen swells, he’d have to go back to theatre. This seems to be more to do with repairing the bowel that wrapped itself around the pus. We really really need to be in that 90%.

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halfwitpicker · 30/01/2019 01:31

Holding hands op Flowers the poor lad

Original poster
Mascarponeandwine · 30/01/2019 01:40

They’ve just taken his temperature - 36.6 Smile First time it’s been below 38 at night for what feels like forever. Small wins....

OP posts:
OMGithurts · 30/01/2019 02:39

Glad they found the infection, that is brilliant. Today might be a bit rough on him but fingers crossed you should see a good improvement after that.

Isadora2007 · 30/01/2019 02:44

So pleased his temperature is down- hopefully that’s a good sign he will be in the 90%. Really rooting for him and you- look after yourself too. Flowers

BigBairyHollocks · 30/01/2019 06:12

Glad his temp came down.Hope you managed some sleep and he starts to show an improvement today.

MymymyLinda · 30/01/2019 06:43

Great news about the temperature. Sorry to hear about the complications, poor little chap. Hope he’s feeling much better soon and you can breathe a BIG sigh of relief. Take care.

BigBairyHollocks · 30/01/2019 16:33

Hi Op,how is your DS today?

Original poster
Mascarponeandwine · 30/01/2019 19:44

He’s still in bed, very sleepy. The consultant team are very happy so far. Wound not bulging, not too much bile, and last temperature was 36.5.

Tomorrow they will get him out of bed and move around a little. They said Friday is d day as they will remove the tubes and see if he can eat and drink.

I darent hope. That he might be on the up.

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Diangled · 30/01/2019 21:46

So pleased his temperature is staying down - you must be starting to breathe just a little.
We all felt very traumatised after DS appendix drama. When he was first diagnosed with appendicitis I was upset & worried but very matter of fact about that it needed coming out. Hospital for a night or two & then home to recover with treats & movies. When that didn’t happen I was so shocked & being scared but rational turned to pure terror. But he did get better slowly but surely & returned to normal. He did have nearly a month off school though but we saw a bit more recovery every day.
Wishing you both a comfortable night Smile

BigBairyHollocks · 30/01/2019 21:47

That’s good the temp is going down a bit.Does he have drains in?Is he coping with the central line ok?Big hugs to you,it’s so difficult just waiting and hoping.

Original poster
Mascarponeandwine · 30/01/2019 22:14

No drains in the wound, but a tube that’s bringing up bile from his stomach into a bag. The picc line is fine so far, much better than traumatising him with canula attempts that invariably fail. Also has a catheter, antibiotics, glucose solution, electrolyte solution, morphine pump. I do think it was a bigger operation than they let on.

I’m at home tonight and dh is doing his turn. I think it’s more stressful being at home as you feel you have less control over the situation. We have two other kids though so can’t leave it all to older grandparents.

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Original poster
Mascarponeandwine · 31/01/2019 07:02

Woke up this morning gripped by fear. It’s definitley easier being at the hospital ‘doing it’ than at home ‘thinking about it’.

And the phone keeps ringing with people asking questions for which I have no answers “when’s he coming home”, “what will you do as he’ll need to be cared for and you both work”, “did the doctors get the first operation wrong, make a mistake and that’s why he’s so ill?”. Argh. I don’t know! Your guess is as good as mine. I can’t see past the current day at the moment.

OP posts:
ichoochoochooseu · 31/01/2019 07:04

Glad to hear he's improving op. It sounds like the appendix was ruptured. Peritonitis is not a pleasant thing to have. It causes dehydration which is why they'd be giving him the electrolytes etc.

I hope his temperature stays down and you get some sleep.

ichoochoochooseu · 31/01/2019 07:06

Honestly I'd ignore my phone ringing and just text something standard to anyone who is checking up. Thanks

Original poster
Mascarponeandwine · 31/01/2019 08:03

Oh no, dh just texted, his temp went back up to 38 in the night. Like you guys who have been through this, I’ve now escalated to terrified,

Waiting to hear what consultant says on ward round

OP posts:
QOD · 31/01/2019 08:08

Oh no op. What a nightmare 💐

CherryPavlova · 31/01/2019 08:15

Peritonitis is nasty but sounds like they’re dealing with it. Our foster son had it from perforated appendix as he didn’t mention his abdo pain until it was far gone. He was in hospital a little while but recovered well and is now a strapping great forty year old.
Hopefully he’ll be on the mend now they’ve identified the cause. Children, luckily, recover quickly. Those ten percent tend to be late being identified and often have other problems. You sound like you and the medics are on the ball.