The gory details

Here are some of the gory details of Tamara's trip to the hospital. O.K., they aren't that gory, but nonetheless they are the details.

On late Sunday afternoon I headed off with the children to general conference (this was the Sunday morning session Salt Lake time, but started at 6:00 p.m. Düsseldorf time via satellite). I had to leave a little bit early to pick up a friend. Naturally as soon as I'm gone, the pain starts for Tamara. Not sure how that happens, but it seems to happen without fail.

She said she had discomfort in the middle of her stomach, with loose stools. The pain got progressively worse and moved to lower right side of her abdomen. Around this same time I arrived home from the general conference session. Tamara was not doing well. It continued as we got the kids into bed (she was still semi-functional and we tagged teamed the kids into bed. After the kids were down the pain really kicked in (9:30-10:30 p.m. time frame). At one point she was writhing in pain about every two minutes (sharp shooting pains she said).

We thought for sure it was appendix related and were naturally quite concerned, especially after recently reading An American in Germany's appendicitis blog entry. I think living overseas, away from family and not right around the corner from friends who would just pop over at 10:30 p.m. at night, or at least who you don't feel comfortable calling at 10:30 p.m. at night, makes everything a little bit more worrisome. I know I was very nervous.

We decided to call our good friends from our congregation. The kids love this young married couple and get excited when they come over. The bonus is that the husband is also finishing up his studies as a doctor and is the president of our elders quorum in the congregation. They were willing to come over and stay at the house while I took Tamara to the hospital. He also assisted in giving Tamara a priesthood blessing. That always brings a measure of comfort that you need in such moments.

By the time we got to the hospital, Tamara's pain had subsided. I don't know how that happens either, but it seems to happen without fail.

Despite the strongest symptoms having subsided, the doctor wanted to check Tamara into the hospital for observation based on the nature of the symptoms Tamara had experienced earlier that evening. He said they were classic appendicitis symptoms and that is why he wanted to keep her in the hospital. I got home, relieved our friends, and got into bed by around 1:00 a.m.