On their way to another country after their stay in Hawaii with us, my son Keola and family had several lay-overs. At one of their lay-overs before leaving the country, grandson JK suddenly started to feel ill. I imagine he was probably in pain too. The day before their flight, they decided to have him checked out at the hospital.
Would you believe he had appendicitis? They had to postpone their flight so JK could have the emergency appendectomy.
My daughter-in-law tells me that JK was brave throughout and of course, we are all so very proud of him.
Art said he had an appendectomy at around the same age and had to be hospitalized for 2 weeks.
But incredibly, JK's appendectomy was done laparoscopically. He was able to go back to the hotel after just a few hours. Thank goodness for the advances made by modern medicine.
I couldn't believe it!
And in just a few days after that, he was able to board the plane for the long flight to their next stop.
All this brought back my memories of Keola. He was 6 years old and Art was in D.C. for meetings. I got a call from his Illinois summer school saying Keola had fallen from the monkey bars.
Since there wasn't any bleeding, I thought it would be a simple fracture that they could put a cast on and we could go home from the naval base hospital in North Chicago.
Imagine my shock when they said there were multiple breaks, his elbow was floating and he could even lose his arm. Keola didn't cry, but his big sister, Tiffany did when she saw him lying in the bed.
I won't go into all the details. The surgeon was able to save his arm though Keola has a huge scar to show for it and he was just as brave as his son.
I'm just so glad Keola and family were still in the U.S. for J.K.'s emergency medical care. I'm proud and relieved for both of them.
Surgeries have really changed. I had three surgeries nearly 20 yrs ago and each one was not major but an in and out on the same day. I'm glad everything turned out well.
ReplyDeleteSo glad JK was seen and recovered well.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like everyone comes home the same day now.
ReplyDeleteI still have my same appendix but I know a few that have gotten them removed. I've also never had to have bones set or operated on though I have cracked a few ribs, toes and finger bones.
ReplyDeleteI too had appendicitis as a teenager. I was in the hospital for over a week and had to learn to walk again because they kept me in bed that entire time. My dad had had appendicitis in the Army so he was the one to diagnose my problem. Dan kids me that whenever our daughters had major abdomen pain I would always say appendicitis. There was at least one trip to the hospital for Emily, the oldest, Dan accompanied her. Nope not appendix. Glad to hear the grandson had a quick diagnosis and fast removal.
ReplyDeleteSo glad it was in the US.
ReplyDeleteOh, so scary, but so thankful they weren't on that plane, on that long flight, high above the earth, when the attack struck. The Lord watched over and took care of your grandson and family in such an amazing way.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it didn't happen, it gives me the shivers thinking about if it had happened on the flight. Yikes. Glad that he's doing so well!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that all is well with your grandson... and that he was able to continue his traveling after just a few days. That is wonderful. I too had an emergency appendectomy in 2018 when I was 73. . It was also done laparoscopically.
ReplyDeleteKay, I don't know if it's my computer or yours, but lately your posts are so wide... I don't get the far right words. It doesn't happen on other bloggers posts, so I don't know... just wanted to let you know.
DeleteAh, boys. The worry and heart aches when they get hurt or sick. My son had several emergency visits, my daughters - not a one.
ReplyDeleteGlad your boys all came out well and strong!
Appendicitis is scary, and so is surgery, but there is so much about this story that is good: good timing to still be in country, good medicine to have non-invasive surgery, good family support, and a very good little patient!
ReplyDeleteGolly what a story!! Or stories!! And all turned out well for father and son. The might have beens are terrifying.
ReplyDeleteCeci
Very thankful that they took him to the hospital! JK is just as brave as his father! My Dad had his appendix out when he was 10 years old. In rural Georgia, the doctor did the surgery at his office and my Dad recovered at the doctor's home, on his screened in back porch. That was being poor in Georgia, but my Daddy was so thankful to that doctor. He credited him with saving his life.
ReplyDeleteMedicine has come a long way. My wrist was broken into five pieces. they put it together by closed reduction. So no mess no blood.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! The fact that he was out in a matter of hours and on a plane headed home...that really is amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt is just amazing they were able to do the surgery that way and that it resulted in such fast healing. Brave boy!
ReplyDeleteOMG. What a story - for all 3 men folk. It is amazing that Art's 2 week stay is now a day. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHow good the surgery was done in that least invasive way, with a quick recovery.
ReplyDeleteWhat a story, so glad he's recovering.
ReplyDeleteWhew! Symptoms before the plane ride is pretty close. My son had his done as a sophomore in high school, but he stayed overnight, maybe 2 nights. Okay, so 20 years makes a difference; so does insurance. Ouch for the father-son owies. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: Good morning, Linda. Absolutely yes, it’s wonderful to know of all the advances made in medical science. I’m hoping the cuts in research won’t hamper more progress since I know Johns Hopkins who my son works for has experienced (are experiencing) those cuts with this administration.
DeleteA sick child is a scary time. A child with cancer at 4 can’t even be imagined by someone who hasn’t lived through it. I did. Erin was 3 at diagnosis and 4 at surgery. Ovarian cancer. Galla Creek
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: Hello Galla Creek, it’s so nice to hear from you again. I’m so sorry for all you went though. I hope Erin is doing great now.
DeleteOh my, what an ordeal for both father and son! I’m so glad everything turned out well and that JK recovered so quickly. Modern medicine truly is amazing, and bravery seems to run in the family.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm your new follower, #225. I hope you can follow back. Thank you so much :)
http://www.itsjulieann.com/
Kay of Musings: Thank you for your kind words, Julie. Your blog is very beautiful indeed.
DeleteOh WOW, Kay! I'm with you, so glad Keola and family were still in the U.S. for J.K.'s emergency medical care. Especially happy JK and his dad are doing well. GISG- GOD IS SO GOOD!!!
ReplyDeleteMedicine and surgery is constantly changing.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased JK was seen and has recovered well.
All the best Jan
I am so glad JK wasn’t in the air when all this happened. Amazing what can be done these days. Your memory of your son’s accident, wonderful that it all worked out. That sounded very scary.
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