Roses and appendicitis on Christmas
We spent Christmas in the hospital. While I tell you the tale of my husband’s appendicitis, here are the roses that were blooming on December 25th, just as I’d hoped they would be a few weeks ago.
My husband woke up on Christmas morning with a stomachache and a feeling of intense pressure in his abdomen. He couldn’t get comfortable in any position. He dragged himself to the living room for present opening but then went right back to bed.
At noon I took him to a medical clinic that was open, where he was misdiagnosed with stomach flu or food poisoning. In their defense, appendicitis can be hard to diagnose. Several hours later, it was apparent that something more serious was going on, so I took him to the emergency room at the hospital. By midnight, he was in surgery having his appendix removed. Fortunately, he was diagnosed early enough that it hadn’t ruptured, although the surgeon said it was close.
So our first Christmas in the new house was a bit of a bust, but we are all thankful for our good health and the excellent team of doctors and nurses who treated my husband, having sacrificed their own family celebrations to be at work on Christmas Day.
I can’t resist showing you one of my favorite presents. It’s a screech-owl nesting box that my husband made in secret for me. I’m so excited to have an owl box after seeing one in use at a friend’s house and in Sheryl’s garden at Window on a Texas Wildscape. As soon as my DH feels up to it, he’s promised to hang it in the back yard on one of our live oaks, and I hope to see an owl occupy it in the new year. I’ve heard great horned owls hooting back there but not a screech owl’s trill or whinny—yet.
Here’s a site that explains how to make your own screech-owl nesting box.
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
I’m glad you persisted, sometimes illnesses like that are hard to pin down, and easy to confuse with the myriad of food poisoning cases they expect to see.
Lovely and loving present!
I love the owl box! Thanks for stopping by, Nancy. —Pam
So sorry to hear about your DH. I think this must be a common thing with ap. Both my husband and my son had similar experiences of two visits to the hospital before the final diagnosis.
The screech owl nesting box was a perfect idea for a present. Now I wonder if mine could build one for me- and a butterfly box and a bat box and a wood bee box. The list of New Year ideas is growing!!
I know your husband is handy since I’ve seen what he’s done in the garden. But then so are you, Jenny. —Pam
I hope your husband is feeling better now Pam. Your entire family will remember the first Christmas in your new home with all the drama. Those roses are beautiful and your Owl house will be a hoot when one of those sweet little owls move in. I hope they are not frightened away by the Great Horned Owl. They would be safe in that house though.
Yes, this will be a Christmas we don’t soon forget, Lisa, though we might like to. I wonder if screech owls and great horned owls compete with each other for territory. I hadn’t thought about that. —Pam
Pam, you KNOW I feel for your husband. Bless his heart, his case progressed much more rapidly than mine did. I’m glad y’all were able to get him to the hospital before his appendix ruptured. Tell him that if his recuperation experience is anything like mine, he can expect to find it hard to turn over in bed for a while, especially if he happens to sleep on his right side. He has my best wishes for a speedy and uneventful recovery and you have my best wishes for him to be an easy and undemanding patient. He should give himself at least a couple of weeks before he tries to hang that nesting box, though!
Thanks, Cindy. As you know, the pain before operation is not fun. But his surgery was laproscopic, and they didn’t give him any restrictions on activity or diet after surgery—just whatever he feels up to. He’s already been up and about and is feeling good. That surgery has come a long way since the days when they cut a person wide open. —Pam
Oh, Pam! I’m glad to know your husband is on the mend – what a holiday you all had. Bet he’s glad that you took him to the emergency room instead of toughing it out one more day. Those decisions seem clear in retrospect but they’re not always so obvious when they’re happening!
The owl box your husband made is very cool! We seldom see owls, but have heard a screech owl whinny now and then. Wonder if they’d like a little wooden house?
It sure is fun to have roses at Christmas – hope you all can enjoy the rest of the school holiday!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Thanks, Annie. Screech owl boxes are becoming quite popular, it seems. Do you remember the article in the Statesman about them a couple of years ago? It talked about how to make one, and of course they can be purchased as well. I bet your screech owl would like a house to live in, and then you could enjoy watching it too. —Pam
I got appendicitis for Christmas when I was fourteen; we thought it was the flu, so my parents didn’t take me to the doctor until I’d already felt sick for a week and I insisted that I be taken to a doctor. (Mom and Dad remember going to the doctor as being their idea, not mine, but I’m pretty sure it was mine.) By the time I got to surgery, the doctor estimated that my appendix had been ruptured for three days, and I had to stay in the hospital for eight days just to make sure there was no lingering sepsis or something. I was never entirely clear on why I had to stay in the hospital for so long, but it was all a lot more serious, apparently, than I or my parents realized at the time.
So, my sympathies.
Your experience sounds so much worse than what my husband went through. Once the appendix ruptures, the doctor told us, a long hospital stay is guaranteed as the risk of complications goes up. I’m sorry you had to go through that. —Pam
I’m glad your hubby received care before they ruptured. Not a lovely way to spend Christmas but much to be thankful for just the same. 🙂 What a nice gift he made for you. Owls are a wonderful predator to attract to the garden. Cuts down on mice & other destructive vermin.
I’m excited about attracting a screech owl to the garden and hope it works soon. —Pam
Just a word of warning about the owl box. You will want to rig up something so that it can be lowered and cleaned. Two reasons: apparently some owls are picky, but also pesky squirrels will take it over if you don’t. Got this from some birding friends.
You’re right, Chris. We read that the box may need to be protected from other opportunists until a screech owl moves in, and then it will need cleaning periodically. Luckily, these owls are under-canopy predators, and so the box doesn’t need to be very high in the tree. Ten feet is sufficient, though we’ll try to go higher just to be sure. —Pam
Glad to hear that your husband is on the mend. Also, lovely roses and good luck with the owl box.
K
Thanks, Katina. —Pam
Wishing your husband a speedy recovery Pam, and may only the best, cleanest and most well-behaved owls visit your new screech-owl nesting box! The roses are beautiful and perfect for Christmas.
Thanks, Carol. I’ll be looking out for those clean, well-behaved owls. —Pam
Oh no. I’m glad they were able to find and treat the problem though. I had worried that Peanut may have something similar but it turned out to be strep throat. The poor thing suffered for days but barely said a word about a sore throat. I’m glad the roses bloomed for you for Christmas.
I hope Peanut is fully recovered by now. It’s amazing how fast antibiotics can work once the strep gets diagnosed. —Pam
What a bummer, but so glad to hear that all turned out for the best.
Your roses are beautiful and the owl house is fantastic!
Cameron
Thanks, Cameron. —Pam
I had wondered if you had roses for Christmas. I’m sorry about your Christmas difficulties but very glad they caught it in time before things were more serious.
Me too, Robin. And I was glad to see the roses stick around too. I wasn’t sure if they would since my new garden is in a colder part of town, I think, than my old one. —Pam
Oh goodness I hope your husband is feeling better now.
How lovely that he made you the owl box, my son has just made me another bird box which he hopefully will be putting up for me soon.
How sweet that your son made you a bird box. I hope it attracts lots of pretty birds to your garden, Helen. —Pam
Pam,
That’s more excitement then any family needs at Christmas…thankfully he is doing well and recovering! Beautiful roses, right on time! What a wonderful surprise the nesting box must have been! The call of the Screech Owl is beautiful, thanks for the link! We have Great Horned Owls hunting in our wayback backyard! A wonderful sound on a crispy clear night. Gail
I love the hoot-hoot of the great horned owls too. We were lucky enough to catch occasional glimpses of one at our old house. I hope you’ll see yours one evening too. —Pam
Best wishes to your husband for a speedy recovery, and I hope those lovely roses cheer you both up!
Thanks, Chookie. —Pam
Pam, your roses are stunning! And I’m so sorry that your hubby spent some of Christmas in the hospital, but glad that he’s doing well. What a beautiful, from-the-heart gift your owl box is. 🙂
I agree. He’s a sweetie to have made it for me. —Pam
Pam, I’m so happy that all turned out well for your husband. Next year maybe he needs to have a little talk with Santa. Yea for screech owl box–remember to put a limb or post outside it so the little ones can practice flying. Linda
Yes, it was kind of like getting coal in the stocking, wasn’t it? 😉 Thanks for the owl-box reminder. —Pam
I sympathize.
A few years ago I had an emergency gall bladder operation on Christmas Day. At least I already knew what it was. I had been diagnosed the week before but was trying to tough it out until after the holidays. Didn’t work out.
It’s amazing in a way that on holidays you have medical professionals going about their business just like always.
Yes, it’s easy to take that for granted until you need them on a holiday, and then you remember to be grateful. —Pam
As everyone else has, I wish your husband a speedy recovery. Wonderful owl box, too. You ended up giving him a wonderful gift by recognizing the seriousness of the symptoms and taking him to the emergency room! It’s not always easy to know when to do that, so kudos to you, Pam. Best wishes of prosperity and health for the new year.
Many thanks, Barbara, and the same to you. —Pam
I am sorry about your husbands emergency on Christmas. I am glad he was able to get there in time. I know someone who had it rupture before they could get to the hospital. )-: It is a big mess that way.
I have had a cold so not having a great vacation but at least its not that serious. I hope your husband gets well soon and the rest of your holidays go smoothly!
Thanks, Cindee. Me too! And I hope your cold goes away soon so you can enjoy the rest of your vacation. —Pam
Wow Pam, that was some excitement that you could have done without! Glad to hear things are better now! Roses in December sound lovely;) How nice that hubby made the owl box. It will be exciting to see if any of them decide to use it…you’ll have to keep us all posted! Happy holidays and New Year to you! Jan
I will certainly keep you posted on the owl box. Happy New Year to you too, Jan! —Pam
Oh Pam! I have spent some time in emergency rooms lately (relatives) and it is never fun, always a bit frightening and surreal. Hurry up and wait seems to be the name of the game. I hope the recuperation is speedy and uneventful. A Christmas to remember that is for sure. Love the owl box! What a good idea.
Thanks, Layanee. Luckily for us, the emergency room was very quiet on Christmas night. Still, there was a good deal of waiting. I won’t soon forget it. —Pam
Well, bless your husband’s heart. My sis had that a year ago, and it was a doozie. You’ll never forget your first Christmas in your new home. The screech owl box is superb.~~Dee
He did good, didn’t he? 😉 —Pam
It is a good thing you persisted and went to the emergency room! So often people think it will pass, like an upset stomach.
But the fact that you were able to take care of it is also a christmas rose! And the other Christmas rose is the owl box! Made in secret, no less! What a special gift to treasure!
Best wishes to you all.
Philip
Thank you, Philip. I like the way you look at things. We felt grateful too when it was all over and he was feeling better again. —Pam
Hi Pam, I join the chorus of wishing your hubby a speedy recovery. The roses are a beautiful Christmas flower and the owl box will be lots of fun observing when its intended inhabitant decides to take up residence. Great gift!
Meems @ Hoe&Shovel
Thanks, Meems. I can’t wait to see who moves in. If it’s squirrels, we’ll have to do a repo. —Pam
I’m sorry to hear that your Christmas was spent at the hospital but I hope your husband is doing better. An early Happy New Year to you. I’m looking forward to seeing what you do in your new garden this year.
Thanks, Phillip. I have all sorts of ideas for the new space. Just need the funds to start working on them (we’re still trying to sell our former residence). I look forward to your new year of garden projects too. —Pam
Thank goodness you got to the hospital in time. I’m sorry it put a damper on Christmas for you, but I am very happy your husband is ok.
Thanks, Randy. Me too. Hope you have a happy new year! —Pam
What a scare that must have been! I’m so glad they caught it in time and that your husband is going to be okay.
Me too. All is well, Amy–thanks. —Pam
So sorry to hear about your husband! Another blogging friend spent hers in the hospital with her father. I’ve wanted one of these owl nesting boxes, but don’t know if we get those owls in Tyler. Do you know? Best wishes for his quick recovery.
Brenda
I think Eastern screech owls are found throughout eastern and central Texas, Brenda. Maybe a nesting box would attract one to your garden. —Pam
I’m glad this story had a happy ending. You’re probably wondering when things will get back to normal. I remember how gall bladder surgery threw me for a loop. Physical healing came more quickly but it took a while for the household to settle down. Course, I had just had a baby 6 weeks before. Here’s to a new year of thriving plants and family!
Thanks, Kathy. Luckily, this happened over a vacation. So while it disrupted a holiday, it didn’t impact a busy work or school schedule. —Pam
Pam,
I had the same experience a year and a half ago…..’cept they poked me in the abdomen and figured it out right away. Thanks to the docs, the morphine, and the hospital staff I sailed through. Heck, I didn’t even realize I still had an appendix!
See you at the next Fling!
Happy Holidays, MA from BOI
Morphine works wonders, doesn’t it? That and getting a bad appendix out of there. See you in Chicago, Mary Ann! —Pam
The story is harrowing but it has a good ending and the rose are gorgeous! Merry Christmas!
And a happy new year to you, Elizabeth! —Pam
well that’s quite a memorable way to spend Christmas Pam! I’m so glad everything turned out alright and your husband is recovering well.
Thanks, Linda. —Pam
Prayers go out to your Husband. Thank you for sharing your wonderful garden with us once again. I love your blog and look forward to visiting it as often as I can.
Merry Christmas from my garden to yours!
Thanks so much, Bren. I appreciate your telling me that you like to visit. You made my day. Merry Christmas to you too. —Pam
I guess it’s kind of a lottery when it come to appendicitis. One never knows who, if or when it will strike. It’s good to have caught it before anything more serious occurred. Your roses are wonderful, as is your owl box. Here’s to a great New Year!
Aiyana
Most health problems are probably that way. You just never know. But all’s well that ends well! Happy New Year to you too, Aiyana. —Pam
Oh my. So sorry to hear about your DH — and how scary. You hope it’s nothing and then it turns out to require surgery. Hope he’s recuperating well. Your screech owl box is awesome — keep us posted if you get any visitors!
The DH is doing great, thanks, Diana. I will be sure to post about nesting owls if I get any. —Pam
Pam, what a chaotic Christmas day! I’m so glad the appendicitis was diagnosed in time, and happy to hear that your hubby is on the mend and feeling better. That laproscopic surgery is amazing.
How sweet of him to surprise you with the owl box. I hope you’re lucky enough to have the desired occupants soon.
Thanks so much for the Christmas wishes. We had a wonderful time with the family home for the holiday. Wishing you a very happy and healthy New Year and a year of building precious memories in your new home and garden.
Thanks so much, Kerri. I wish you a very happy new year too! —Pam
Oh, I almost forgot….what beautiful roses you have blooming, and just the right color for Christmas Day! 🙂
Those are beautiful roses Pam. I’m sorry about you husband. That would be a bummer for Christmas. Glad you persisted & he is doing better. Hope he has a speedy recovery.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Thanks, Lola, and the same to you! —Pam
Get well soon, Pam’s Husband. Here’s hoping for a lighter, breezier Christmas next year. Owl boxes, marathons… is there anything he can’t do?
Cooking, Chuck. That’s about it. Thanks for the get-well wishes. —Pam
How terrible for your husband, Pam. Not a good way to celebrate Christmas! I am so glad it was finally diagnosed correctly before it ruptured. I hope his recovery is speedy. What a sweet gift of the owl box. We have screech owls in the tops of the Cedar Elms, and when they are raising their babies, it sounds like children screaming in the distance. When we first moved here, it took me a while to figure out where the sounds were coming from. They are so neat to spot.
I wonder if I’ll even notice their calls with my children screaming in the yard too. 😉 Screech owls are pretty cute, aren’t they? I’ll be looking out for them. —Pam
Oh oh, so sorry to hear of this but so happy it was caught on time. I hope he recovers well. On another note, my friend has just joined her husband in Dallas so I hope to visit her next year, so maybe we’ll be able to meet up in Austin!
Leaving that gorgeous garden had to have been hard. Starting over has its own advantages and big rewards, I can’t wait to see what you do at the new house! Kim