Appendicitis

Hello, everyone. I am starting an A, B, C series about the McFaddens and I want your suggestions. I want you to give me a person you want it to be about and I want you to tell me what hurt/comfort you want. So, I'm starting with Adam and Appendicitis. (Sorry about the confusing instructions.)

Adam was working outside with his brothers. He lifted a bail of hay and winced as sharp pain ignited in his navel.

"You ok?" Brian asked.

"Yeah. Just a stomach cramp." Adam lied.

"You've had a lot of those these past few days. You ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just gonna sit down for a while."

Brian put his hand on Adam's forehead.

"Brian!" Adam groaned as he pushed Brian's hand away.

"You're a little warm." Brian answered.

"It also happens to be July and this barn is hot. It could easily be heat exhaustion."

"Ok."

That night, during supper, Hannah saw that Adam was just pushing around the food on his plate.

"Adam, you haven't even touched your dinner." Hannah said.

"I guess I'm not hungry. I'm sorry, honey." Adam replied quietly. Hannah walked over and lifted Adam's chin.

"You're pale and warm. Why don't you go upstairs and rest."

"Yes, ma'am."

Adam stood up and felt dizzy. He sat back down and groaned.

"What's wrong?" Hannah asked.

"I have a headache. It's just a dizzy spell." Adam answered. He got up and walked upstairs to bed. That night was a little rough for Adam who's belly pain grew worse. The nausea grew worse and so did the constipation. Halfway through the night, Adam got up and tried to relieve himself but it didn't help. Then he felt very sick and he threw up into the toilet. When he was done, he went back to bed.

Adam woke up the next morning and felt a pain on the lower right side. He groaned and sat up. The pain got worse and Adam groaned even more. Then he felt sick to his stomach. He got up and went to the bathroom and threw up in the toilet. Hannah walked in and rubbed Adam's back.

"Are you ok?" Hannah asked.

"Not really." Adam mumbled. "My side hurts and I feel sick."

"How long have you felt this way?"

"The pain started about a... week ago and it slowly been getting worse. I thought it was just stomach cramps. I started feeling nauseated a couple of days ago. Last night, it just kept getting worse."

"You also lost your appetite."

Hannah checked Adam's forehead and sighed.

"You feel warm. Go lie down." Hannah suggested. Adam did as he was told. Hannah came in with a trash can and a thermometer. "Check your temperature." Adam did as he was told and Hannah checked Adam over. "This bucket is in case you throw up again." Adam nodded and handed Hannah the thermometer. "You're staying in bed today. It's 101."

"Great." Adam mumbled.

"Do you want anything to eat?"

"I'm not hungry. I could use something to drink."

"I'll go get you a cup of water. Then I'm going to call Dr. Wolf."

"No, it's probably just a bug."

"Adam, it could be something worse."

"At least wait a few hours."

"Fine."

Hannah squeezed Adam's hand and kissed his forehead.

"Get some sleep." Hannah suggested. Adam nodded and rolled onto his side and tried to sleep. Hannah left the room and went to the kitchen.

"I hope you told Adam to hurry up. We have work to do." Brian said as Hannah walked in.

"He's not helping. He's staying in bed. He has a fever and is in pain. Plus, he threw up."

"Great."

"How high is his fever?" Crane asked.

"101. Nothing to be too concerned about, but... he refuses to see a doctor about it and I just know there's something wrong. I think it's appendicitis but you know he'll deny it." Hannah sighed.

"Call Dr. Wolf. Adam will just have to live with it."

"I will after breakfast."

Adam groaned as the pain in his side grew worse. Then he felt sick again. He threw up in the bucket and then felt constipated. He got up and went to the bathroom, but it wouldn't go away. When he went back to bed, he felt uncomfortable and wasn't able to rest. Hannah walked in with a tray of food.

"Here's some water and some tea. I warmed up some tomato soup to help you feel better and you are going to eat it." Hannah said.

"Yes, ma'am." Adam mumbled as he propped up against the pillows.

"Dr. Wolf will be here around 1."

"I told you not to call him."

"Adam, you're sick and I don't want you getting worse. Now, drink some water."

Adam did as he was told. He swallowed the water and a few sips of tea. Then he tried to eat the tomato soup but was only able to eat a few spoonfuls.

"Try a little more." Hannah suggested.

"I can't. I might throw up if I have anymore." Adam sighed.

"Ok."

Hannah took care of Adam's tray and then walked back in and saw Adam vomiting.

"I'm sorry, honey." Hannah whispered. She grabbed the wet cloth next to the bed and wiped Adam's face. Adam relaxed and was able to fall asleep, but only for a little while. He woke up again and was worse.

Around 1 pm, Dr. Wolf came and examined Adam.

"Is it a sharp pain in your side?" Dr. Wolf questioned. Adam nodded. "How many times have you vomited?"

"At least 5 times." Adam groaned weakly. "The last one had a little bit of blood."

"On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the pain right now?"

"6, maybe a 7."

Dr. Wolf pressed where Adam's appendix was and Adam cried out in pain.

"9." Adam cried.

"Your slower right abdomen is swollen and tender. You need some tests done." Dr. Wolf sighed.

"It's appendicitis, isn't it?"

"I'm afraid it is. It could rupture."

Dr. Wolf sighed and poured something into Adam's cup.

"Drink this." Dr. Wolf stated. Adam did as he was told. Dr. Wolf left the room with Hannah.

"How is he?" Hannah wondered.

"Well, I gave him antibiotics, but he needs to go to the hospital."

"What do you think it is?" Brian asked.

"Well, the pain in his navel and lower right abdomen shows that it could be appendicitis. He has a fever that's getting worse and he's had vomiting, nausea, lack of appetite, and everything else that points to it." Dr. Wolf explained. "I fear it's close to a rupture which is why I want you to help him to the hospital. It'll take too long for an ambulance to get here and then to the hospital." Then Adam screamed.

"Hannah, help me! Somebody help me!" Adam screamed. Dr. Wolf and Hannah ran back in and saw how Adam was reacting.

"It ruptured. He needs surgery."

Brian came in and they got Adam to the truck and rushed him to the hospital. Adam was rushed into surgery and everyone waited in the waiting room.

"Will Adam be ok?" Ford wondered.

"He will be." Brian answered. "We just have to wait and see."

Dr. Wolf came out and walked over to the McFaddens.

"He's out of surgery and is resting. His appendix ruptured but we were able to remove it before the infection could spread. There's still a chance that it could spread and become peritonitis. He'll have to remain for a few days, but he'll be able to go home and recover. It'll be a few weeks before he can do any strenuous activities, but he'll survive. Right now, we have him on pain medication and antibiotics." Dr. Wolf explained.

"Can we see him?" Hannah asked.

"Yes, of course, but do not wake him. He needs his rest. He's had a very strenuous morning and he most likely will be in pain."

They went to see Adam. Adam laid in the bed sleeping, but it was obvious that he was in a little pain and that it was a light sleep. Several minutes later, Brian took the brothers home while Hannah stayed with Adam. A few hours later, Adam moved slightly and squeezed Hannah's hand. Adam opened his eyes and looked up at Hannah.

"Hi." Hannah whispered.

"Hi." Adam mumbled. "What happened?"

"Your appendix ruptured."

"I remember feeling a lot of pain."

"They removed it before the infection could spread, but you'll have to stay a few days just in case."

"Ok. Brian took the others home?"

"Yeah. They wanted to let you rest. How do you feel?"

"Tired and sore. It hurts when I move. I'm still a little sick and hot."

"I bet. You still have a fever but it's lower. You won't be able to work for a few weeks."

"I know."

"But that doesn't mean you can't help me."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I love you, Adam."

"I love you, Hannah."

They kissed and Adam went back to sleep. That night, the infection was gone and Adam's fever broke and he started to feel better. Adam was able to go home several days later but stayed off his feet for a few more days. He took it easy, but soon enough, he was able to work again.

I have three As in mind, so you all can start with Bs. I would like to write one story a day. ( I have nothing to do and I write all day anyway.) So get thinking. If you're unsure of what to put down, here are some examples. I want the character or characters, the illness or idea, and either before, during, or after the series. If there's something specific you want to happen in that story, let me know. I hope you guys will participate.

1. Adam- appendicitis- post series

2. Daniel- anger- pre-series

3. Adam- Asthma- all three.