So...we found out that Peanut has hernias. Apparently they are something she was born with. The doctor says it's completely coincidental that the big hernia is in the exact spot where she was bitten by a crab spider as a baby. It swelled up really big right there and when it went back down it always looked slightly swollen. We now realize that was the hernia showing and not leftover spider-venom-swelling. :P
We are so thankful that we discovered the hernias before they caused any major problems like prolapsed intestines. God was definitely working it all out for us. She had been crying really hard one day and needed to take a bath. I noticed that spot was sticking out much farther than usual and was hard when I touched it. She said, "Ouch!" After she calmed down it went away so we didn't do anything.
Two days later we had to take Peaches in for a ear infection. T took her so I could keep the girls' school going and at the last minute I said, "Why don't you take A too and have him take a look at that spot on her stomach?" Our doctor did an ordered her an ultrasound right away. The options were hernia or lymph nodes. Praise God that it was just a hernia! I took her to the ultrasound a week later. She was very brave and the tech was super nice!
We stopped for lunch on the way home and I got her a milkshake for being so brave. I took this picture.
Which quickly melted into ham mode!
Air guitar!
This girly is SUCH a goofball! Haha!
After the ultrasound results came back we were scheduled with a pediatric surgeon. Noni volunteered to watch the others so both T and I could take her. We got there and settled in to wait when I looked over and saw her sitting so grown up reading a magazine. :)
I think it was good for Peanut to finally go to the doctor and get some solid answers. Almost every night since the ultrasound she had been worriedly asking me, "When is the doctor going to cut my tummy open?"
The surgeon was really nice and she relaxed. The first thing he did was have her stand up and push out her stomach so he could see the hernia. When she did he said, "Oh you've got a belly button one too!" He said she has a ten percent chance of having a matching groin hernia on the other side so since he's going to be opening up her belly button anyway he will stick a camera down there and repair a third one if it's there. Otherwise it will just be the two repairs, and it's laparoscopic so she will only have small scars. We showed her the surgery center where we will go and her biggest takeaway from the appointment is that she will get to have a Popsicle for breakfast. Haha!
Once again she was super brave and good at the doctors so when she was thirsty we swung into a fast food place for a water...and ice cream. Haha.
Must have been good! :)
We decided to wait until after Christmas and the surgery is scheduled for January 3rd. The doctor was comfortable with waiting that long so that if we have any other medical expenses in 2018 we will have our deductible already met. Prayers for a smooth, uneventful surgery would be much appreciated!
