Possible emergency-what am I forgetting?

Parents Forum
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<p>As I type this, my 18-year old daughter is being transported to the hospital by ambulance for possible (and I stress possible) appendicitis. </p>

<p>She called this morning and described generalized, but severe, pain of her lower right abdomen, accompanied by vomiting; no fever as far as she can tell. I told her then to speak to an RA, and the RA made the decision to call security...who recommended calling the ambulance for transport.</p>

<p>I told my daughter to make sure she had her cell phone and insurance card with her (I considered telling her to make sure she had on clean underwear but decided she probably wouldn't see the humor or feel like laughing too much right now!) I also told her to make sure she put down my cell phone number as the emergency contact number.</p>

<p>As soon as I hear more from my daughter and/or the hospital, I will know if I'm driving down to her school (4 1/2 drive). IF this becomes necessary (e.g. if she is hospitalized), any thoughts on what I might need to cover for her? She has finals starting tomorrow, so I would need to make sure her profs are contacted, but that's the only thing I can think of at the moment. I'm just trying to get my/her ducks in a row if needed, but I'm not sure what ducks are out there that I would need to consider. Any ideas? And yes, I'm aware that thinking about what I can do is one way of dealing with what I CAN'T do right now!</p>

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<p>Oh God, mezzomom, I can imagine you're running around like a chicken without a head! Thankfully, the RA is on top of things & I'm sure D will be fine.</p>

<p>I'd still contact the profs anyway, letting them know she was transported to the hospital & you will keep them updated of any admission. Just the frenzy of the hospital exam & her pain should be reason enough to get extensions. </p>

<p>Can you bring along a driving buddy? That will help. </p>

<p>Let's hope it's something treatable with a less invasive course of action. Best of luck. Saying a prayer...</p>

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<p>Oh dear! Good luck to mezzomom's D!!!</p>

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<p>The school probably has the direct line to the ER nursing station, works better than trying to go through the operators. Go ahead & call. The nurses are probably too busy to think about calling you. I have found that the school is pretty good at knowing what to do-emailing profs, etc. It is probably policy to 911. I am one of those who also has to do something to deal with stuff. I you want to drive-go ahead. I would guess a mom's visit would be welcome to your daughter. You can probably provide better medical history than a daughter in pain.</p>

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<p>mezzomom:</p>

<p>make sure they do an ultrasound immediately. (A neighbor kid sat in the ER for hours bcos they didn't believe his pain was real -- thought he was faking it.) If its ruptured, ask about laparscropic surgery since the recovery is quicker. </p>

<p>Ask the RA to contact the profs, dean, dept chair, roomie, sorority, and/or anyone else at the college who needs to know. </p>

<p>Perhaps her RA could sit with D until you arrive?</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>I would go down there. Reserve yourself a motel room online before you go.</p>

<p>I was in a hospital in an emergency situation myself a few months ago. I had to take much less pain medicine than I was allowed because I was alone most of the time, meaning that I had to stay rational in order to be my own patient advocate. It would have been really nice to have a fully clothed, functional person with me so that I could take all the drugs they were willing to give me, without having to worry about being zonked. (And no, I wasn't wearing clean underwear. I fell down the steps while preparing to drive my daughter to high school at 6 AM, and I'd thrown on my clothes from the day before and hadn't taken a shower yet.)</p>

<p>Also, what you're forgetting is that if your daughter is going to be in the hospital for more than a few hours, she doesn't just need her cell phone; she also needs her cell phone charger. If she has been taking any kind of medicine, she needs an accurate list of exactly what she takes and in what doses. She needs to know her own medical history (kids sometimes don't). And she needs some sort of photo ID, but she probably has that since she uses that card to get in and out of her dorm building.</p>

<p>I would wait until tomorrow, when you have a better idea of what's going on, to contact any professors. If your daughter is going to have surgery, of course she will want to postpone taking her finals. Another issue, if the semester is ending in a week or so, will be moving her stuff out of her dorm. She won't be physically capable of doing that, and she may not even be physically present (it might be more practical for her to simply go home when the hospital releases her). You may need the RA or the RA's boss (the residence hall director) to help you figure out how to get access to her room and move her stuff out.</p>

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<p>The RA just called from the emergency room and said she would call again once my daughter has been seen by a doctor (so far, just the initial evaluation...temp, BP, etc has been done). As soon as I've heard from her again, I probably am going to head down.</p>

<p>God bless the RA; here it is the day before finals start, and she's stuck in the emergency room! She pooh-poohed my concerns and said she'd brought her books along, but I do think this qualifies as above and beyond the call of duty. So on my list of "things to do", I've added "purchase gift card from bookstore for RA"; when I talk to her again, I'll also ask if she will need an e-mail to HER profs from me.</p>

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<p>Find out who the RA's boss is -- it's probably the residence hall director -- and write that person a letter explaining how wonderfully helpful the RA was during your daughter's emergency. </p>

<p>Even if the RA's year as an RA is ending, she may be using her boss as a reference for other jobs. Your letter will be an asset.</p>

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<p>Mezzomom:</p>

<p>Does your D's school have the complete health records for your D? Is her primary care doctor listed? Has she got any allergy that should be reported to her medical team? A previous history of intestinal discomfort?</p>

<p>If she has to have surgery, she will need time to recuperate. Perhaps bring some stuff to keep her entertained while in hospital (music, books). A change of clothes would also be welcome, perhaps her dressing gown for when she is ambulatory, comfort toys is she likes them.</p>

<p>Definitely call her dean to let the dean know your D is hospitalized and will have to miss finals. This is quite common, and make-up exams can be administered later. The dean will notify the profs of your D's absence from exams and of the need to produce make-up exam questions.</p>

<p>My best wishes to her and to you.</p>

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<p>Make sure she signs a release ASAP for the hospital to be able to talk with you. They have really clamped down on privacy act.</p>

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<p>Of course no one wants surgery, but if she does end up needing it, better now that while she's doing study abroad in Mongolia or something.</p>

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<p>Mezzomom</p>

<p>We went through this! Apparently, and I don't know why, college age is a prime time for appendicitis, if that is indeed your daughter's problem.</p>

<p>First thing...try not to panic. Appendix removal, if she needs it, is common and safe...your daughter will be fine. I'll be sending you my wishes for good luck though.</p>

<p>My son was 20, his gf rushed him to hospital in middle of the night, luckily he was a CMU student and had a half dozen UPitt major hospitals within a mile. Make sure she has someone with her at all times, if not the RA, have someone there. The pain is as you said severe and it's hard to be lucid when you're hurting.</p>

<p>Also I hate to sound callous but call her insurance carrier, see if the doctor(s), even the hospital itself, take your insurance. Although it's a situation where it's an emergency so impossible to pick and choose. We had a problem with this...a hefty copay but a few calls may help, especially since you'll be driving a few hours and can call from the car.</p>

<p>I'd go if you can. Even though S was with gf he was really glad to see us (6 hour drive). Bring some light reading for her. Just our being there was a big help.</p>

<p>In S's case appendix was slightly wrapped around intestines so it wasn't a quick lap procedure. He was in hosp 4 days. I mention this to let you know even in a more complicated case, he was just fine after surgery...just thrilled to have that pain gone. Your D will be fine too, if she has to have surgery.</p>

<p>His prof's were wonderful,,, they're all human, they'll understand. I'm sure they'll want to see her finish the semester, the main thing is her health.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

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<p>OH, Mezzomom!!!! I can't think of anything else to add to all this great advice, except much sympathy from the bottom of my heart!</p>

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<p>Being 3000 miles away from my D I can't even imagine what I would do first. May I also suggest that if you're driving that YOU take someone with you so you're not alone. </p>

<p>Dean of students is the very best point of contact. He/she will make sure all the proper channels are addressed.</p>

<p>I'm feeling anxious on your behalf, and I hope that next time I check in it's with good news.</p>

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<p>Lots of great advice. I would go down there, too.<br>
Sending prayers and positive thoughts your (and your DD's) way...</p>

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<p>What a wonderful RA. I would not email the professors until there is a diagnosis. </p>

<p>BTW, about 20 years ago someone that I knew had these symptoms. The initial diagnosis was made in a doctor's office as appendicitis. Once in the hospital the diagnosis changed. She had an ovarian cyst (which caused vomiting, abdominal pain, but she had a high fever). Bottom line is that it might not be appendicitis.</p>

<p>Sending best wishes your way!</p>

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<p>What are doing here? Pack a bag and head out. Use your cell on the way to call work and make arrangements for your own home (pets, mail,etc..) </p>

<p>To recap last year's adventure in my home. Call late at night, on the way to hospital with badly broken ankle. Surgery in morning. Orgainize enough stuff to last a few days and hit the road.</p>

<p>We stayed one night in hotel, then spouse drove back for job. I stayed four days and just slept at frat house. Went to stores and picked up Rx's and other stuff for the next week or so. Contacted professors and campus security (security would pick up and transport son for 4 weeks to make classes) . Main thing just get down there. Stuff will sort out. </p>

<p>Good luck and get going.</p>

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<p>Mezzomom.
Thinking good thoughts for your D and you.</p>

<p>I'd be on my way as well. Do not worry about the school details right now. I'm sure all the appropriate steps are outlined in the RA handbook; you'll have time to tie up the loose ends after you get your D's care arranged.</p>

<p>As an ER RN, I can tell you that, at times, an apparent appendicitis can mimic other ailments, from an ovarian cyst to constipation. An ultrasound will let you know.
If you are talking to your D on the way, have her sign the HIPAA release allowing/naming you to receive her medical info.</p>

<p>Drive safely, good luck and keep us posted.</p>

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<p>I'm so sorry your daughter is ill mezzomom. What a terrific RA she has though. It's wonderful that's she's staying by your daughter's side.</p>

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<p>Pedi RN jumping in here. Absolutely get the HIPPA form signed by your daughter otherwise NO ONE will be able to tell you anything. And I mean anything. If it is an appy, leave the type of surgery to the surgeon. Some are better at laps and others at opens. The recovery time for a healthy young adult is practically the same. It's not like the big incisions they used to make. It's just my experience, but if my child had a rupture I'd go for an open appy. Much easier to clean things out and I've seen much fewer abscesses later.
I'd pack a bag and jump in the car ASAP. 4 1/2 hours is not that far away. No matter what it turns out to be, you should be there.</p>