Read about our family’s experience navigating our tween’s unexpected appendicitis, from early symptoms to emergency surgery and recovery. This personal account offers insight into parenting through medical challenges and the importance of trusting your instincts when it comes to your child’s health.

When Life Takes a Detour: Our Tween’s Appendicitis Adventure

What started as a typical weekend turned into a whirlwind of emotions, an emergency surgery, and a stark reminder of how vulnerable yet resilient kids can be. As parents, we constantly worry about our children’s health, but nothing truly prepares us for when that worry becomes reality.

Early Awareness of Appendicitis

For various reasons, appendicitis had always been on my radar. While no one in my immediate family had experienced it, a childhood story stuck with me: a friend of a friend shared her terrifying experience when I was 12. More recently, a post on Nextdoor caught my attention: a mom urging others not to overlook certain symptoms in their kids. Though I never thought it would happen to us, that weekend made those warnings real in a way I’ll never forget.

The First Signs: A Growing Concern

On a November Friday night, my daughter Della mentioned dull stomach pain. It didn’t seem serious at first, but by Saturday morning, she was vomiting on and off. She had no appetite and only managed to drink water, but even that came back up.

I tried piecing together what might have caused it. A month earlier, she’d had a similar bout of stomach trouble and at that time, we took her to urgent care where we were told it was a stomach bug and to keep an eye on it. Fast forward back to the current story…. When I asked if she had eaten anything unusual, Della mustered a beaming smile and shared the details: during a party in her classroom, her teacher—aware she couldn’t eat the dairy-based snacks the class had—kindly gave her a bag of Swedish Fish. She explained she ate the entire bag during aftercare the day before.

When I asked how big the bag was, she admitted it was more like 3 or 4 small-sized bags. I was frustrated—our house isn’t one for unrestricted sugar—but her glowing smile made it hard to stay mad.

Still, as Saturday went on, her pain became more localized near her belly button and lower right side. She was hunched over when walking, a clear red flag. A quick Google search of her symptoms brought up a word I didn’t want to see: “appendicitis.” So, how to recognize appendicitis in children?

Key Symptoms to Watch For:

1. Persistent abdominal pain that worsens over time.

2. Pain shifting to the lower right side of the abdomen.

3. Vomiting, loss of appetite, or difficulty standing upright.

When Gut Instinct Takes Over

Despite having no fever, we decided to take Della to urgent care. While waiting, she vomited in the lobby, deepening my concern. The doctor carefully examined her abdomen but didn’t see the usual signs of appendicitis seen in toddlers, tweens and teens.

To my surprise, Della didn’t react when he pressed on her stomach. After the doctor stepped out, I asked her privately how she felt. “It hurt so much I wanted to cry,” she admitted, “but I didn’t want to say anything.”

That moment broke me.

The doctor returned and had her jump on one foot—a test for abdominal pain. Amazingly, she did it without flinching. When I shared what Della had admitted earlier, he reassured me that she likely wouldn’t have been able to contain herself if the pain were severe. He spent a lot of time with us, explaining the signs to watch for. He specifically instructed us to go to the ER if she wasn’t better by morning.

By 4 a.m. Sunday, Della’s pain had worsened. I woke my husband and said, “It’s time to take her to the ER.” We didn’t want to wake Emma, who had barely slept the night before (another story), but neither of us wanted to stay behind if this turned out to be serious. Reluctantly, we woke her up, packed both girls in the car, and headed to the ER.

Hearing the Diagnosis

At the ER, Della underwent an ultrasound. The technician moved back and forth from the room, and I couldn’t help but feel something was off. I casually asked her what she saw, but she said the doctor would explain everything. My stomach twisted.

Back in the room, the doctor confirmed our fears: Della had appendicitis. Surgery was the only option. The words hit me like a tidal wave. A million questions flooded my mind, but I focused on staying calm—for Della’s sake.

What helped us stay grounded:

1. The medical team’s kind and clear communication. We were truly fortunate in that sense!

2. Explaining the process to both Della and Emma in calming terms.

3. Taking it one step at a time instead of imagining the worst.

Surgery: 45 Minutes That Felt Like Forever

The surgery was laparoscopic and lasted about 45 minutes—though it felt like an eternity. Before anesthesia, we joked with Della about counting to 10. She barely made it to 3 before drifting off, and that moment broke me. I let a few tears escape as I turned to reassure Emma. While waiting the 45 minutes, I spent most of the time in prayer, trying to keep my mind from spiraling.

What to Expect During Surgery:

Surgery duration for appendicitis is typically under an hour.

Laparoscopic procedures minimize scarring and recovery time.

Emotional support for your child (and yourself) is key during this time.

When the surgeon returned to say it went well, I exhaled deeply for the first time in hours.

In recovery, Della woke up groggy, holding an ice pop with the nurse’s help. True to her sweet nature, one of her first requests was for an ice pop for her sister. Watching her resilience even in her groggy state brought me a mix of relief and pride.

The nurse provided detailed instructions on caring for the wound dressings and although it sounded intimidating at the hospital, I noticed it was actually fairly easy once I was at home, being hands on.

Recovery at Home

Della was discharged from the hospital and the days following surgery were slow and careful. Della needed help with basic tasks like sitting up, walking, and even using the restroom. She stayed home from school longer than recommended, and I didn’t push her to return too soon. The initial note from the ER doctor was that she could return to school on Wednesday (surgery was Sunday!!! Yikes!). She would be excused from PE for 2 weeks. I did ask out of curiosity if that was standard and I was informed that for most kids it was. Clearly not for Della.

Post-Surgery Recovery Tips for Parents:

These are some appendicitis surgery recovery tips.

1. Prioritize comfort: Keep meals simple and encourage rest.

2. Celebrate small milestones: Even minor progress, like walking to the bathroom, deserves praise.

3. Take cues from your child: Don’t rush them—healing takes time.

By Friday that week, Della felt strong enough to return to school, and Emma proudly carried her backpack for her. The Thanksgiving holiday was the following week and their school is typically closed all week for that holiday which gave her extra time to recover, and by the end of the break, she was back to her energetic self.

Lessons I’ll Never Forget

This experience taught me several important parenting lessons:

1. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, don’t hesitate to seek medical care—even in the middle of the night and like us, even if a few times in one weekend if you’re not comfortable with the progression of any symptoms. Again…TRUSTING parental instincts is HUGE!

2. Teach your kids to communicate. Della’s hesitation to express her pain reminded me how important it is to encourage honesty, especially with doctors.

3. Take it one step at a time. Emergencies are overwhelming, but focusing on what needs to be done in the moment can help you stay calm.

A Moment of Reflection

Two months later, Della is back to her cheerful, vibrant self, with only small scars as a reminder of that weekend. While this ordeal was frightening, it brought us closer as a family. It reminded me to slow down and cherish everyday joys: laughter around the dinner table, lazy mornings, and even those mischievous smiles over too much candy. Life is unpredictable, but it’s in these moments that we find strength and gratitude.

Have you experienced a sudden health scare with your child? Let’s connect and support one another. Share your story in the comments below—because as parents, we’re all in this together.