The unexpected

We have been so blessed in this family to have healthy kids. Calvin is three years old, has had a high fever once in his little life, never had an ear infection, and rarely has colds or sickness of any kind. Kees is super healthy as well. We often acknowledge what a gift that is, but were especially reminded this last week of the gift of good health ... and good doctors ... and good insurance :). 

Last Friday morning started totally normal. At about 9:30am we put Kees down for his morning nap. Shortly afterwards, Calvin said he had a tummy ache and wanted to snuggle (this was weird). So we layed on the couch for about half an hour and read. Then Calvin went potty all over. So I stand him up and tell him to go to the toilet. Then he starts absolutely screaming and curls up on the floor. I had never seen him act like this and immediately knew something was really wrong. So, attempting to not lose it, I quickly called the pediatricians office, explained the symptoms, and was told to take him straight to the ER. Luckily Matt was only about 10 minutes away. As Calvin continued to scream and cry, I quickly changed him out of his soaking wet clothes and into some pajamas and we headed out to the hospital. 

He did okay on the short car ride, but was still in a lot of pain. We were quickly admitted to the hospital. They were concerned first about an appendicitis issue, but during an exam found that the most extreme pain was actually centered around his testicles. After an ultrasound, Calvin's pain had subsided and he was back to his normal, happy little self. The diagnosis that they were leaning toward was that he had one testicle that ascended up into his abdomen and had "tersed", or twisted, cutting off the blood flow to the testicle (painful!). Then, at some point during his ultrasound, untwisted. 

So ... off we went to Issaquah to see the pediatric urologist, who confirmed that this was the case. Apparently you have these canals that your testicles descend down after you are born, and then they close off. Calvin's right canal hadn't shut, so the testicle could reascend. When they go back up, they are much more likely to twist. Yikes. So this meant surgery, and pretty quickly. If they twist for more than four hours, the testicle dies so even though he was in no danger or anything, it was still considered "emergent". This all happened on Friday the 4th, and we were scheduled that day for surgery the next week on the 10th. 

We tried to just explain really basically to Calvin that there was something wrong inside his penis and that was why his tummy had hurt (oddly enough, he didn't question that). And so the doctor was going to put him to sleep and fix his penis so that he wouldn't have a tummy ache again. And God bless three year olds ... he accepted that pretty easily and without any fear, worries, or questions. 

Of course, Oct. 10 was a ridiculously busy day for Matt, so my mom graciously agreed to come hang with Kees while Matt's mom shuttled Calvin and I to the hospital and hung around for moral support. I'd say my lowest point was just the drive to the hospital. But having to be brave so you don't freak your kid out was great incentive for me to pull it together :). 

Here he is - all in his little scrubs and ready to go in.

This was right before they took us into surgery. I got to go in with Calvin and stay until they put him to sleep, at which point I kissed him and they promptly kicked me out. The surgery took about 45 minutes and then the doc came out, said everything went great and that they'd come get me as soon as Calvin started to stir. Great! Well, then 30 minutes passed and at that point I was climbing the walls. The nurse, apparently familiar with the look on my face, took me back and I sat with Calvin until he woke up. He was pretty groggy, but quickly ate two popsicles. From there, we moved back to our room where Daddy was (yay!!!) and Grandma. 

Calvin, after having not eaten all day, poor baby, downed some snacks and chocolate milk. They watched him for another half an hour or so and then sent him home!

We didn't really know what to expect afterwards, but his recovery has been soooo smooth. We got home that day about 4:30pm. He watched some movies, went to bed at his usual time, and had a great night of sleep. The next day he was a little sore/stiff, but never once complained of pain or seemed to be hurting. By Saturday he was running around like normal. He's still careful and sensitive about us checking on his incisions, but things are healing wonderfully.

So ... this really wasn't what we expected a few weeks ago, but we are so thankful that Calvin is healthy. Praising God continually for this little boy, for great doctors, for good hospitals, and for health insurance.