AJ has been up and down ill for a few days with intermittent but fairly extreme stomach pain. Last night AJ's pain reached a level that brought me to calling the health nurse and then we proceeded to Emergency where they did testing for appendicitis. After this mornings ultrasound they have diagnosed him with Mesenteric Adenitis. This is where the lymph nodes in the mesentery of the abdomen become inflamed. Mesenteric Adenitis is most commonly caused by a viral infection. It is common in children (where appendicitis is not) and it is not usually a serious condition. We are told it should resolve on its own. The length of time it takes to resolve depends on its severity and the individual patient. One of the differences between Mesenteric Adenitis and Appendicitis is that the pain is intermittent versus constant and increasing which brings me to the horrible mommy moment part of this post.
I can honestly say I thought in the past few weeks he might have been pulling the tummy ache to get out of grocery shopping, walking instead of driving to the park & going to bed.
I am going to admit I thought he was faking.
I was often frustrated with him instead compassionate because later the same day he seemed to have no problem swimming in the pool or playing with a friend. Even now he is arguing his bedtime. I was told this isn't uncommon but as he curls into his bed tonight I can't help but feel the weight of the thought that I wasn't listening well enough.
I would love to just say thank you to all those hospital staff members who do such an amazing job, to the nurse that took the extra moment to smile and offer us juice and tea you made us feel so cared for. To all those that play a part in caring for our boy, our family, our community and others communities, thank you.
And so...After many, many hours he finally slept.
