That's No Vestigial Organ, That's My Appendix.

so what do u do if its infected? take meds?

It's not because it's useful that you can't live without it. Same with the spleen, it performs a very useful function, but you can live just fine if it's removed. You might have to take some extra precautions, but that's about it.

useful information for those who suffering this kind of illness.

"Does it contain details about me that aren't needed in the main body?"

-J. Carr

My three year old got sick one day back when she was two. Started throwing up and complaining about stomach pains. I took her to the doctor the next day and was told that it was a stomach virus and to put her on a liquid diet. Two days later she couldn't hold down water and got really dehydrated. On top of that, she started having uncontrollable diarrhea. We rushed her to the ER where they drew blood and started IV fluids. She was looking much better after an hour but still having the diarrhea. The blood tests came back normal and we were sent home with the same diagnosis. She stayed on the liquid diet and quit throwing up, though the diarrhea continued. After a week of that I took her to the doctor again. This time he ran a fecal screen to make sure it wasn't a parasite. Roto-virus, parasite screen, everything came back normal, yet she was still sick. The doctor kept telling me to keep her on a liquid diet and make sure she had no sugar and no dairy (hard for a 2 year old). She was probably still sick because her stomach couldn't quite handle solid foods yet. I had her at his office three days in a row before he did another blood draw. This time her white count was 27 (normal is under 9). He called me that night and said bring her in NOW! She recieved an ultrasound, cat-scan, and 30 minutes later we were driving to the best children's hospital in the state for emergency surgery. Turns out she had a perforated appendix meaning there were small holes in it and infection was spewing into her abdominal cavity. She was cut from her pelvic bone to three inches above her belly button (left a 7 inch scar) so that they could irrigate her bowels. The infection had damaged her small and large intestine. Fifty years ago and she might not have lived. As it is, here we are 6 months later and you would never think she had surgery at all. That is, until she lifts up her shirt to show off her battle scar. Glad she likes it now, because she sure as hell won't like it when she's about 13. Moral to the story, when you're kid's sick and not getting better, don't stop with one doctor. Don't stop with two. Get an answer, even if you have to be on their doorstep everyday for a week if you have to.

do the same with your self. after all your kids dependent on you. so keep yourself 100% well too. my moms thyroid took 3 doctors to diagnose. not life threatening but still worrying.