Scary week

I am writing this post from a place no parent wants to be: Rainbow Babies & Children Hospital. Last Wednesday night, my son woke us up crying that his stomach hurt. The next morning, my wife took him to the pediatrician, who told her to immediately take him to the hospital. He wound up having to undergo an emergency appendectomy. It was supposedly a routine procedure, and his appendix had not rupture yet. They sent him home on Friday.

Unfortunately that evening he started throwing up again. We brought him back to the ER Saturday morning and, after several CT Scans, x-rays, and ultrasounds, he was readmitted. For 3 days he was only allowed to eat or drink one ice chip every 2 hours. It is absoutely terrible watching your child suffer like this.

Thankfully, the local courts have been so kind and supportive. I was actually in a trial at the Lake County Juvenile Court when I got a message from my wife that she was headed to the hospital. The Magistrate continued the trial to allow me to leave right away - something that I am greatly appreciate of. Magistrates at the Domestic Relations Court have excused me from multiple hearings this week to allow me to stay downtown with my wife and son. We have 4 kids, and our families have been so helpful in taking care of our other three. That's something I never really thought about when one of your kids is sick - the other ones suffer too because you can't be around.

Today - Tuesday - he seems to be making a turn for the better. I continue to pray that the doctors here at Rainbow can figure out what's going on, and help him get better. He is an amazing kid, and I can't wait to see him smiling again.