On Monday, February 17th 2020, Jimmy woke me up at about 4 am complaining that his tummy was hurting, he crawled into bed with us for about 20 mins and then said he felt a little better and wanted to go back to his own bed. About 5:30 he woke me up again to say that his tummy was hurting still, so I asked him where and he pointed to the lower right part of his belly. I knew he needed to see a doctor. So I sat up and said "we are going to the emergency room" and off we went.

We got there just shy of 6 am, I had to carry him in the ER doors and all I could say was we needed to see a doctor. The nurse called for the doctor, small town hospital not much for staff so we had to wait a little while. They sent him for a CT scan and set up his IV, the next thing we knew there is a different doctor in the ER room talking about surgery, ruptures, drains, and tubes. Mike and I had no idea what was going on, they wheeled Jimmy to a hospital room and a nurse came in the room to explain everything. Jimmy had appendicitis. Appendicitis! No problem, lets get this thing out. After surgery we found out that his appendix had ruptured but they felt they got most of the infection. We were told we should be able to go home Wednesday, February 19th. That day came and went, his white blood counts were still too high. Thursday rolled around and Jimmy was still in a lot of abdominal pain. Another CT scan later and they see an abscess (infection) in 2 separate locations. Which meant ANOTHER surgery. Our 7 year old boy had 3 tubes coming out of him. He had a NG tube (in his nose), JP drain (in his tummy, draining infection), and catheter. He wasn't feeling so hot.

The best part?? The NG tube and catheter came out a day later. 3 days after his second surgery his JP drain was removed. Now it was just time to wait for those white blood cell count to come down. Many days of recovering in the hospital, many blood tests, tons of strong antibiotics, and nurses answering our calls and questions, we were told his white blood counts dropped to where they needed to be. We were going home. 11 days we spent in the hospital. Family visited, called, texted, everyday. Friends visited, called, and texted everyday. Through this we have come to realize just how truly blessed we are. Jimmy is home now, as I write this, Thursday, February 27th, 2020. Truly our only worry right now is getting and keeping Jimmy healthy. However, we know that this hospital stay isn't going to be cheap, and we know that Mike and I have missed 2 weeks of work, with out pay.

We are asking for any donations to help alleviate the coming financial stress we are going to encounter. As much or as little as anyone can spare, if money is an issue....your love, thoughts, and prayers mean just as much!!

Thank you, Mike, Nora, and Jimmy

P.S. Jimmy says he never wants to have surgery again. Lol