Wednesday, January 30, 2008

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Well, THAT was fun! MaddieLynn came through the surgery in no time and we learned that the surgeon had been homeschooled and he and his wife now homeschool their 5 children!

I know my husband forgot to tell you, because he's not the drama queen that I am, and frankly that would just be weird anyway, but the nice surgeon told us that we made it to the hospital in just the nick of time because MaddieLynn's appendix was nice and swollen with a big serving of GANGRENE on the side! You read that right....GANGRENE!

The last time I heard of someone having Gangrene it was on a documentary about a prisoner of war hiding out in a damp cave who amputated his own leg using a rusty fork...or maybe it was on Gunsmoke.

In any case, it turns out that 12 year old girls in small town Texas can also have gangrene, and if they do, then they can not go home as soon as other patients after having a routine appendectomy. Noooooooo....they must stay hooked up to very strong antibiotics and extend their stay at the hospital to make sure the infection has not spread.

All in all, it was an exhausting experience that I would like to never repeat. Which reminds me: Is it really necessary for the hospital janitorial staff to empty trash cans in patients' rooms at 3:32 a.m? Oh, and by the way, when you are told what time you will be discharged, just go ahead and tack on 4 hours to that time because apparently this calculation is used on all discharge procedures.

We did have one very sweet nurse from Scotland who said MaddieLynn was the best patient she had ever had! She complimented her inquisitive nature and well spoken manner and seemed all around charmed with her.

At one point she was telling us about some Highlights magazines that she had bought for her grandson, who hadn't shown any interest in them. I liked listening to her accent as she talked and she made us as comfortable as possible during her shift. She left at 7:00 p.m. when her shift ended and told us goodbye.

Sometime after 11:00 she came back into our room and I was surprised to see her. I said, "Hi, Margaret! I thought you had gone home long ago." She replied that she had gone home but now she was back to give us something. It was a large box of never-been-read Highlights magazines! There was one magazine and map for each of the 50 states! She said she was certain there would be 7 children who would enjoy them.

Her sweet and generous spirit was one small bright spot in our stay. I also appreciated my husband calling with updates on those of you who left comments with your well wishes and prayers.

17 comments:

Pearl said...

Yeah! I hope that she is feeling better!

Reviekat said...

So glad to hear that MaddieLynn is doing well. We hope she heals quickly!

Linz said...

So happy everything is better! I had a subscription to HIGHLIGHTS when I was young! I LIVED for them. You should like them if they haven't changed much. :o)

Anonymous said...

Wellness,peace,and healing prayers are being sent for the entire family.

Shannon said...

So glad that the surgery went well!
We also love the Highlights magazines. I used to receive them when I was growing up. I've found many used ones at yardsales for my own kids. The Hightlights website is pretty good too. I like to print of the printable hidden pictures. They help in keeping little ones busy while I help older ones in school. Anyway, the site is, http://www.highlightskids.com/ if you want it. :)

Kara said...

I'm so glad you all are home. Yes, hospital experiences are never fun! I'll have to tell you sometime about when my mom had to stay at the hospital she works at. Let's just say she told them when they would and would not be entering her room during the night, LOL. Part of her job has been to try to educate the staff on getting together so patients are only interuppted a couple of times, but you can imagine how well that has worked.
Tell MaddieLynn hi for us:)

Unknown said...

My Goodness... how sweet is THAT??!!

Enjoy those magazines.

What a blessing you must have been to her that day. Just think -- you never would have touched her life, if you hadn't of been on her shift that day. So there IS something to give thanks in after all.

Praise God you were Jesus with skin on that day!

Michelle said...

So glad things are better! I cannot imagine having to stay the night in the hospital with an infant! Yikes!

Jenn said...

well upon my word!!! gangrene??? that is amazing! what a gory, fun story for her to tell, when she is much better of course! lol!

so glad that she is better and y'all are doing better.

The Lockwood Family ♥ said...

Praise the Lord for the wisdom he gave in you knowing to take MaddieLynn to the ER~ I'm so thankful she came through surgery fine and will continue to pray for a speedy and full recovery. I'm praying for some extra rest for mama as I know these emergencies can wear one out so quickly...especially when caring for a new baby and other children. The Lord is so good to give us the grace and strength we need as we lean fully on Him.
Though I haven't had much time to comment lately, you're continually in my prayers. Thank you too for sharing the sweet story of that nurse. What a special blessing for you all~ You obviously were a blessing to that nurse as well.
love,
Jaynee

Anonymous said...

How is she tonight? (Thurs...) Poor kid, poor mama!!!!

Smockity Frocks said...

She is running a little fever with just moderate pain. Hopefully the NINETY DOLLAR!!! antibiotics will take care of any problems.

Anonymous said...

How terribly sweet of your Scottish nurse to bring a box of Highlights for y'all! You'll have to send her a card or a picture of all the children lined up with a magazine as a Thank You!

SOOO glad to hear that all went well, that Miss Maddie was carefully and thoroughly treated, and that she's home safe and sound with no appendix and no yucky gangrene. Ughh!

Seriously, the LORD be praised that she was treated in time and rejoicing with you that she is home. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above - I know you're treasuring Maddie right now.

Nikki said...

Gangrene?! Poor MaddieLynn! I'm so glad you had such a good doctor and what a neat experience to have. That's so fun about the nurse and the Highlights magazines! I keep meaning to order those for my kids. The only time they see them is when they go to the doctor's office and there are some there.

Amy said...

You said:
Which reminds me: Is it really necessary for the hospital janitorial staff to empty trash cans in patients' rooms at 3:32 a.m? Oh, and by the way, when you are told what time you will be discharged, just go ahead and tack on 4 hours to that time because apparently this calculation is used on all discharge procedures.

And I say:
Amen, sister.. A-MEN. I have lived it, and I can attest to how TRUE that all is!
So glad you are all home and MaddieLynne is on the mend!

Nikki said...

Praise the Lord she came through wonderfully. God is good all the time.

Nikki

- said...

holy moly! well i am glad that everything was caught in time and now things are on the mend.

you are officially the first person i've ever known to have a gangrene case in their family.

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