<p>Hi Mezzomom...I hope you have gotten an update. Re: cell phones....in most emergency rooms you can NOT use them. There are signs everywhere saying "Please turn off your cell phones." If it were me, I would go there. Even if the situation turns out OK...I'll bet your daughter would be happy to have you there.</p>
<p>sorry I didn't see this sooner...</p>
<ol>
<li><p>don't let her out without bloodwork. this happened to my DD and 2 days later we found out her appendix had ruptured after she was sent home</p></li>
<li><p>the easy at-home test.. have kid jump in the air. If the pain is worse on landing -it's the appendix. This is the really-o actual way she was diagnosed at long last, by ped.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Frankly, it's better to get the appendix out than not. She's never going to need it later.</p>
<p>Hi Mezzomom,
Wow, I wish you and your daughter the best of luck. Please let us know how it turns out!!</p>
<p>So sorry to hear of your daus illness, mezzomom. Having just gotten my ds out of the hospital after a 5 day stay (we were on vacation in Calif where he shattered his femur skiing, requiring surgery) I would recommend you double check that if she is admitted to the hospital that you double check with your insu carrier to be sure the hospital gave them all the necessary info to get the insu co to authorize the admission and continued length of stay (if necessary). As my s's injury happened on a Sunday, the hospital didnt open the file with the insu carrier, so it is a good thing I started the process. We called back 2 days later and the insu co claimed they still didnt have the necessary info from the hospital. Who knows who dropped the ball, but it was a good thing we got it straightened out. As for exams, I agree, once you have a better idea what is going on, you can contact the professors, especially if exams need to be rescheduled. One last thing- If she gets any ultrasounds , xrays or whatever, I would have her get a copy of them put on disk in case she needs any follow-up care. If she does have surgery, a copy of her admit/op and discharge note is helpful for follow-up care, getting handicapped parking decals, getting you a discounted airfare for emergency travel, etc.</p>
<p>mezzo,</p>
<p>wishing your D a speed recovery. </p>
<p>As far as finals, the best point person to contact would be your D's class dean (last year my D missed finals because she was sick, the roommates took her to student health and they did not release her). The Dean will confirm that the student is sick, send out the appropriate e-mails to professors and will make sure that your D is not penalized. Professors tend to be very understanding and will arrange to let her take exams when she is feeling better.</p>
<p>Dear Mezzo,
Here's wishing your D the best of medical care and a speedy recovery. Anf hoping you have/had a safe drive. It sounds like your D's RA is a real peach. You have lots of friends here on CC wishing you and your D all the best. I know it will not be at the top list of things to do, but when you have some down time and an internet connection, I'm sure your friends here on CC would love an update.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your suggestions and good wishes. I arrived at the hospital last night at 6:45pm, having received hourly updates from the RA on my cell while I drove; my daughter was in surgery by 7:00. By 7:45, she was minus one appendix, and by 9:00 last night she was in her room for an overnight stay. All went well, my daughter was discharged today, and is now showering in her dorm.</p>
<p>I will be staying at a hotel in the area until Wednesday, which is when spring break starts. My daughter wants to try to fend for herself as much as possible, but she knows that I'm less than five minutes away...and she has the option of staying with me in the hotel if she prefers. She may try to take her Wednesday final (no finals tomorrow), but right now that decision rests as much as anything on her ability to sit comfortably for a long period of time. </p>
<p>Fortunately, as far as "emergencies" go this was a "routine" as one could hope for. No insurance concerns; because my daughter has a chronic health condition, all of those details were checked out before she even enrolled. NO issues with privacy as my daughter is well-versed in her rights (and our expectations as to what information we want available to us). The school is handling notification of professors, although I did stop by and talk with some of the folks in the music department this morning.</p>
<p>I think the greatest surprise/pleasure was the absolute dedication of the RA. She did not leave until she knew I'd met with the surgeon (7+ hours at the hospital), had written down every med and dosage given to my daughter while I was on the road, and even advocated for a female doctor when they decided to give my daughter a pelvic (her first ever). I was so impressed with her poise, maturity, and concern...a gift card hardly seems like enough.</p>
<p>Mezzo:</p>
<p>I am so glad things went smoothly for your D. And I salute the RA who seems like an amazing your woman. Perhaps you can write a letter that will go into her dossier. It will be very helpful when she applies for jobs or positions later on.</p>
<p>For the finals, would it be possible for your D to get accommodations so that she could take her exam in a different setting and for a longer period of time? she might be able to take a break, she might find a more comfortable position for writing, etc...</p>
<p>I am so so happy that all turned out as well as could possibly be expected! I was thinking about you all morning. You must feel so relieved right now! Her RA sounds like a very special person! I am sure that she would appreciate a letter going to her director.</p>
<p>Glad things turned out OK. And what a great RA!</p>
<p>How scary! D is 1800 miles away, and I would have to hope a place very quickly - but I would do so immediately, as you did. Good, bad or indifferent, it's still better to have Mom there. The RA is truly a special person. The letter is great (the best idea), but I would also mention the situation to the Dean so he can advocate on her behalf about her exams, as well. It was wonderful to hear things turned out well. Good luck to you both!</p>
<p>It's great to hear a happy ending to a potentially scary story. Good luck to all, and a big hug (and letter) for the RA.</p>
<p>Glad to hear everything worked out OK, mezzomom. What a gem of an RA! Tell her there's a bunch of mostly-anonymous people across the country who hope to have as dedicated of a person looking out for our kids in college!!</p>
<p>I will second that! Good to hear all has gone as well as possible, considering the circumstances.</p>
<p>I'm so glad you were able to get to the hospital before your daughter had to go to surgery. What a relief to know she's on the mend, and the RA is a real gem!</p>
<p>mezzo,</p>
<p>glad to hear your D is on the mend. As other's have said, she has a real gem in her RA</p>
<p>RA & Mom, who got into car and drove (carefully), & now mo around to smooth any rough edges with faculty</p>
<p>Kudos to the RA! I second the recomendation to copy the Dean on the letter -- besides the obvious caring, leadership and humanity the RA demonstrated, she also makes the school look really good. (I was an RA for two years -- I can tell you from personal experience that this young woman went way beyond the call of duty!)</p>
<p>Glad to hear your D is on the mend, and that you are able to stay for a few days to make sure things proceed smoothly. Spring Break may not be much fun this year, but it'll be a good time to get rested and back on her feet without damaging her semester.</p>
<p>I was an RA. RA's do go beyond the call of duty--especially female RAs. How about a restaurant cetificate? Or a certificate to a spa?</p>
<p>I am so glad you decided to get into the car!</p>