We were just living our usual routine. I guess looking back I noticed that my husband's tummy was getting larger, but who am I to comment? Mine is not that exciting either. I remember him sort of rubbing his stomach after meals for sometime. Well, I think he had his last fiesta! Right after Cinco de Mayo, he was in pain. I mean, his stomach was so distended that it was big like Santa Claus! He was vomiting and actually thought that it might be food poisoning. So, he took a couple of days off from work and was going to let it run its course. Well, when I asked him if he was able to go #2 and he said no and told me his output was red-orange, I drove him straight to the ER! It was a good thing we went.
We spent about 3 hours before getting seen. Apparently, they see people in their late 70s and early 80s or drug users with this sort of thing! Well, no drugs and alcohol over here. It was sort of funny because he was constantly asked by different doctors if he used anything or drank heavily. He was nauseous for hours and after they took some labs, I followed him to the restroom. He was a little dizzy and needed the support. As soon as we got into the restroom, he vomited. It was a super combo of undigested food and #2. He was in so much pain! We got back to the room with samples in tow. It was crazy listening to the admitting doctor make a call upstairs to someone saying, "this guy is legit sick!"
The remedy? Pain meds and a tube down the throat into tummy to suck the "stuff" out. I stepped out of the room for that procedure. I didn't think I could watch. The kids were worried and at home. I called them every hour with updates. Labs came back and they were worried about his liver and gall bladder. I was crossing fingers hoping that he wouldn't need (exploratory) surgery. He was admitted and was there for six days. The last time I was at a hospital was 10 years ago when our baby didn't come home with us. Trigger! I found myself driving home alone from the hospital around midnight and it was a Thursday. Trigger! I put on a brave face for the kids just as I had done 10 years earlier, and talked to them about their Dad this time. I shared what I knew and that he was going to be kept for observation. Hubby is Mr. Health and never sick, so this was a wakeup call.
They suctioned him for 4 days and let him have broth. He basically needed to try to have a bowel movement. If not, it would be the surgery route. Thankfully, that happened for him. He was cleared to go ahead and have a colonoscopy and they removed a couple of polyps. No cancer. He lost 25 pounds in 2 weeks. He has a GI guy now and has cut and replaced a lot of foods in his diet. We have had to think a lot about meals and things with a child with sensory issues and it just got a bit trickier with all of hubby's substitutes. I am just happy that he's okay. He ended up taking a LOA from work which caused some strain on the school, but that's what discretionary days are for. We spent Mother's Day in the hospital and he wasn't allowed to eat anything then. With that day falling near Naethyn's EDD, it's been a hard one to celebrate. When Father's Day came around and with so many food restrictions, we just celebrated with soup at home.
It's official! I have a high school student. D will be in 9th grade this year and T will be in 7th. I honestly just can't believe that! T still has his usual drum lessons, but I signed both boys up for a summer bucket drumming class. They like it! They both have a Spanish class in summer school too. One is already done and another has a few more units to tackle. To be funny, T will want us to ask him, "Donde esta la fiesta?" To which he answers, "La fiesta está en mis pantalones!" He has such a good laugh with that one, but we have to remind him that it's not appropriate outside of the house.
That is so frightening! So glad he will be okay. Hope he continues to heal and your boys continue to do well!
Love and Hugs
Brandi