When Life Throws Curveballs: Lessons from the Hospital with Kora Mai

We recently had a bit of an unexpected adventure with our little girl, Kora Mai. In short, it was one of those “drop everything and rush to the hospital” kind of weeks, and spoiler alert: it wasn’t exactly fun. But as we navigated the scary waters of pediatric ER visits, sleepless nights, and surgical consultations, I found some unexpected lessons (and a little humor) along the way.

Here’s the nutshell version for you 🥜:

The Rollercoaster of Events:

• Monday night: Kora’s belly hurts—a lot. Cue the no-sleep zone.

• Tuesday morning: Pediatrician immediately sends us to the ER.

• 16 hours later: Tests, tests, and more tests—X-rays, ultrasounds, and an MRI. My inner mama bear had a minor breakdown deciding between exposing her to a CT scan or waiting forever for an MRI.

• Late Tuesday night: Kora’s appendix seems like it’s plotting a mutiny. Surgery is the next step, along with some hefty drugs.

The Surgery Drama:

We finally get her into surgery just before noon on Wednesday. Two hours later, the surgeon tells us that it could have been much worse—Kora’s little body formed a pocket around the infection, which kept it from spreading. (Thanks, body!) She comes out of surgery groggy but still our feisty girl.

Post-Surgery Chaos:

Kora's recovery wasn’t all smooth sailing. We had some crossed wires between the nurses, doctors, and pharmacy, and her catheter was super uncomfortable. (PS: Did you know they weigh kids’ pull-ups to track urine output—smart, but ew.) Kora handled it like a champ, pounding popsicles, sipping apple juice, and letting out some post-surgery toots (a sign of healing, apparently).

Family Support (And Tow Mater):

Between episodes of Tow Mater on Disney+ and Kora’s post-surgery "tooty booty" (yes, it’s a medical term now), our family rallied. My mom, Gigi, was by our side, and Kora’s big brother, Bennett, came each night with my husband, Brandon, for snuggles. Oh, and we survived on hospital cafeteria snacks (Bennett was a fan).

The Universe and Its “Gifts”:

Just when we thought we were in the clear, Kora spiked a fever. After another trip to the ER (and some creative parking moves on my part), we were told she’d picked up a different bug. Because why not, right? Cue another 7-hour hospital marathon.

I sat there, feeling like the universe was handing out bad juju like candy, when I remembered something a good friend once told me about: PLOM Syndrome—Poor Little Old Me. It was the reminder I needed. As tough as things were, I knew that others in the hospital were facing even scarier diagnoses. And so, I asked myself, What can I learn from this?

What I Learned:

• Being present matters. I had the chance to spend uninterrupted time with Kora, appreciating her humor, resilience, and spirit.

• Advocating matters. In the hospital, Kora couldn’t speak up for herself, so I had to do it for her. And I did. Loudly.

• Community is everything. Family, friends, and even hospital volunteers showed up when we needed them most. Having that kind of support is a blessing beyond words.

Oh, and one final thing—I really hope I never get appendicitis. Seriously.

So, what now?

We’re home, Kora’s on the mend, and I’m sleeping (occasionally) in my own bed again. The experience? Terrifying. But I’ve come out of it with a renewed sense of gratitude for our health, our family, and the amazing people who helped us along the way.

Life can throw some real curveballs, but sometimes, even in the mess, you get to rediscover what really matters. If you’ve ever had a hospital scare with your child, you know the weight of that fear. But I hope you also know the incredible strength that comes from being present in those moments.

Thanks for sticking with me through the tale of Kora’s appendicitis adventure. Here’s to hoping for smoother waters ahead—and a little less time in the ER. 🤞