The doctor said a stomach virus had been "going around." I said "no," this wasn't a virus -- there were no other symptoms besides constipation, vomiting, and abdominal pain. And the exhaustion was from not being able to keep anything down for 4 days and the dehydration from vomiting. There was no fever, no diarrhea, no temperature fluctuations, and no one else in the family was ill (thank God).
She'd been complaining of a belly ache all last week. She lost her interest in food. Saturday was the last day she was able to eat. Sunday the vomiting began. All the while, nothing coming from below. She lost weight and now weighs what she did at age 3 (she's now 5 years old).
The doctor listened to her belly with a stethoscope. "Doesn't sound obstructed" he said. I wasn't buying the "go home and push the fluids" directive. In fact, I wasn't going home at all. The doctor looked at me wearily. He'd been up all night on rounds at the hospital. He was too exhausted for a fight. "I'll order an X-ray" he conceded.
The dark area in the lower center of the film shows the obstruction, and the intestines above are all backed up. Just as I suspected.
The toxins have really built up in her little body and she's in for a few more rough days as the medically induced "clean out" takes place. I'm hopeful that she doesn't have complications, like an infection or rupture. The poor little thing is suffering enough.
Bless her heart! Is she in the hospital overnight or is she at home? You both will be in my thoughts and prayers!
Posted by: Wendy | Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 06:39 PM