my thoughts

Monday after school is when Cody first complained of having stomach pains. I figured it was just the flu and soon enough he would be sick with diarrhea and throwing up, but it never happened. His pain was constant, he says a 4 on a scale from 1-10, the only comfort he had was taking a warm bath which helped him to relax. It wasn't until after he went to bed and he was up just a short time later that I started to get concerned. He tried sleeping with me but just tossed and turned and couldn't get comfortable and then would end up in the bath again. I was calling and texting with my sister and Jim throughout the night trying to figure out what it could be and what I should do. Finally after Cody's 5th bath of the night, having no sleep and him showing me that the pain had moved from his lower abdomen towards the right side, I knew I had to take him into the E.R. and knew what it probably would end up being. With Heath gone hunting that made things a little more complicated. This is where our journey really began, here are a few bits and pieces from it.
An early morning call at 2:15am to my mom to have her come over and stay with the boys, that same call to the neighbors to have Amanda come over and stay with the kids until my mom arrived.
Cody and I hanging out in the ER watching infomercials in between Cody getting X-rays, blood draws, IV's and urine samples. At this point we knew Cody might be missing some school and he was so upset to know that he would miss meeting the new student in his class on Tuesday, being a square dancer in their Patriotic Program for school on Wednesday and having to cancel his birthday party with friends on Thursday.
With his only symptoms being his lower abdomen pain and a high white blood cell count the doctor came to the conclusion that it was more than likely his appendix but he needed to be seen by a pediatric surgeon at the downtown hospital.
So they loaded us up in the ambulance and took us for a drive, of course with no flashing lights and following the speed limit. It was a first time for both Cody and myself.
Once checked into room 4004 around 4:30am, the waiting began for the doctor to arrive so we tried to get some sleep.
Heath still had no idea what was going on at this time, he was up in the mountains where it was hit and miss whether a text or call would even go through. Finally I tried calling his friend Kyle who he was hunting with (his phone happened to be in the camper) and it actually rang. He looked at the number and didn't recognize it but Heath did and knew that something must be wrong because why would I be calling Kyle at that time. He got dressed and had to drive a ways up the road before he had cell service and started receiving all the texts/messages that we had been leaving. He loaded up what he had to and then started the 5 hour drive back from Grangeville.
My dad showed up at the hospital at 7:30am, what a sweet surprise this was. He didn't want me to be waiting alone. He hung out with me all day long.
Finally around 9:30am the doctor arrived and surgery was scheduled for 1:30pm, she was 90% sure that it would be his appendix.
We knew it was going to be close for Heath to make it in time we just didn't know just how close it would be. With 1 minute to spare, Heath walked into the pre-op waiting room dressed in full mis-matched camo, an orange camo hat, a full beard, and not having showered in three days to see Cody before they wheeled him off.
Cody was very brave and relaxed this whole time, his biggest concern had been the I.V. which he handled so well.
We heard from the nurse during his laparoscopic surgery that it was for sure his appendix and all was well. If we had waited another 24 hours before coming in the appendix would of perforated making for a much longer hospital stay.
The Doctor who had performed my appendectomy 22 years ago was doing surgeries at that same time, but we never ran into him. He would always tell me that I was one sick pup, it would of been great to see him.
Within a few hours after surgery Cody was drinking, up walking around, and playing in the playroom.
We enjoyed an evening with our visitors, Papa & Grammy, Luke & Ryan, Uncle Matt & Aunt Summer (who also brought us dinner and presents for the boys), and Abigail & Ashlynn with Jason and Amanda (who also had a special Lego present for Cody).
Three of us tried to make the E.T. phone home joke with Cody because of the red monitor light on his finger but he didn't find us that funny.
Cody had some great nurses taking care of him, we were very thankful for Ben and Kristin and of course for Doctor Hirsch who was wonderful.

Right before surgery, Heath hadn't quite made it yet.

In the recovery room waiting for him to wake up.

The nasty appendix that was causing all the problems.

It was shaped like a candy cane, it came straight up and then started to curve around.

The stuffed dog that my friend Angie sent, we named him "Doc" to remember the occasion by. And the blue soccer pillowcase is a gift from Cody to Abigail since she plays soccer. If you stay in the hospital, you get one free of charge! ha

Luke and Ryan didn't really know what to think when seeing big brother.

They have both been very emotional this week, all the changes were hard on them too.
Cody's first walk just a few hours after surgery with his nurse Ben.

Cody could care less about his underwear showing.

The playroom visit with his brothers.

Doesn't he look great!

The girls, they didn't know what to think either seeing Cody laying in the bed.

By the end of the visit they were talking and playing like normal, Cody even showed them his bandages

Uncle Matt was like having another kid in the room, playing with the Lego's.

Papa and Grammy who kept the boys entertained and on a sugar high.

They were so much help!

Heath had showered in Cody's room by this time, so he was a little more bearable.

But before some guy in the elevator had even said to him, you look like you should be up in the mountains!

My sweet boy who I would do anything for.

After the visitors had all left, we had another special visitor: Shasta the therapy dog. Cody wasn't really all that thrilled with Shasta, he was too busy playing with his Lego's and once Shasta saw Cody's stuffed animal he tried to chew him up.

After a much needed night of sleep, Cody & I enjoyed the morning together until Heath arrived with a new Lego set for Cody, then it was all Lego's. Once Ryan arrived after school and a lunch date with his cousin they had fun playing together.

Cody was so funny. By the end of his stay he knew how to unplug all the machines to take himself to the bathroom with his IV pole. He would practice walking around his room, squatting down and jumping (which I put an end to once I saw him try).

We were so happy to be all together again and back home last night and getting some sleep never felt so good.

I have learned a few things this last month with everything that has been happening.

I need to always have my camera with me because you never know when a good picture opportunity is going to come up.

I need to expect the unexpected a little more.

Even though I like to have things all planned out and hate to cancel things, life happens and everything can be adjusted.

I have so many friends and family that I can ask for help and who offered to do anything that I needed.

It was so comforting knowing my other boys were being taken care of and I didn't need to worry.

Mostly thankful for all of your prayers, it was wonderful seeing how many people were asking God to watch over my family!