OUCH! My Stomach HURTS!

Poor little Matthew! He had been complaining since Saturday that his stomach hurt, but I didn't think much of it until Tuesday afternoon when he was still complaining. Matthew is not a big complainer so when I realized it had been 4 days and that he couldn't even stand up straight, I decided I better take him in to the doctor (of course, I had already been to the pediatrician twice that day - the twins had their 15-month check-ups and Gavin had a mole removed). I am so glad that our Pediatrician has after hours and are open until 10pm. I took him in and the doctor pushed on his tummy (Ed had me do that but I had no idea what I was doing), shook his hips, and even had him jump off the exam table - all of which hurt Matthew, especially his lower abdomen. The doctor was worried it might be his appendix so they sent us over to the hospital for blood work and an ultrasound.

The lab was closed so we had to go to the ER to have Matthew's blood drawn - not a fun experience. Matthew was so scared (and in pain already). When they were done he said he was light headed from them taking out so much blood (silly boy - they only took 3 little vials). They we were off for his ultrasound. He thought that was cool since he was the only kid in our family to have an ultrasound. The tech couldn't find Matthew's appendix - but apparently that is pretty normal and a good thing (they say if there is a problem with your appendix, it is "easier" to find - but you still won't always find it). When I talked to the doctor, he said that the lymph nodes around Matthew's abdomen were inflamed - which he said was also a good thing. He had some big name for it but it was late, I was in a dark ultrasound room with nothing to write on, so I can't remember what he called it. He said that "this" problem mimics an appendicitis so it most likely is what is causing him all the pain. He said to give him Motrin and that it could last a few days or a few weeks. UGH! I hate when it is something they can't just fix. Oh well. I am also glad it doesn't seem to be anything big. We just have to wait it out. I did let Matthew stay home yesterday and have a lazy, rest day - which he really needed. But today, he had to be tough and go to school. I hope he doesn't hurt too much!