Dumping Ground

Liam ~ Appendicitis

"It reminds me of when Tracy got appendicitis and she collapsed in the hallway."
"You passed out in the DG?"
"Yeah, I was out cold. Shelly had to call for an ambulance."
"Who's Shelly?"
"One of my old careworks."
"Woah. You won't catch any of us doing that."
"Actually..." Liam groaned from the back of the group.
"Passing out. So lame."
"And from appendicitis too," Johnny said and everyone laughed.
"Yeah... urgh..."
"Liam?" Frank asked and everyone turned to him. He had his arm wrapped around his stomach and he was grimacing.
"Liam, are you ok?"
"I'm..." Liam said and he collapsed backwards, onto the ground.
"Liam!"
"Liam," Sapphire gasped and everyone crowded around him.
"Out of the way. Liam? Liam, can you hear me?" Tracy asked as she knelt down and took his pulse. "Gus, call for an ambulance."
"Is he ok?"
"Does he look ok?"
"I don't know, do I?"
"Is it appendicitis?"
"It could be."
"Liam. Liam wake up," Frank said as he shook him.
"Is he dying?"
"He's just unconscious Carmen."
"Elm Tree House. Someone's collapsed," Gus said on the phone.
"He'll need surgery right? If it is his appendicitis."
"If it's appendicitis, he will," Tracy said as she turned Liam onto his side.
"Are they going to take his appendix out?"
"They might do. Liam, Liam it's Tracy. Can you hear me?" Tracy asked again, but Liam was out cold. "Ok."
"They're on their way."
"Thank you Gus," Tracy said and Gus put the phone back in the office.
"How's his pulse Tracy?"
"It's fast."
"Is he going to be alright?"
"I've never seen Liam this quiet."
"Shut up Johnny. This is serious."
"He's going to be fine guys. Go and wait in the lounge."
"But..."
"Now. Liam will be fine, give him some space while as wait for the paramedics."
"Alright, come on," Sapphire said and she hearded everyone into the living room.

"I hope that Liam's going to be alright."
"He'll be ok. He's Liam."
"It's just his appendix. They'll take it out, then he'll be right as rain."
"What if it gets infected? He could get sepsis and die!"
"Sepsis is very rare," Gus said. "It tends to happen with untreated open wounds that have had a long time to..."
"Be quiet Gus."
"How long will he be in hospital for?"
"Only a few days."
"He'll be out before we know it."
"Don't sound optimistic about it Johnny."
"I'm not."
"Poor Liam."
"Tracy will look after him."
"He loves Tracy."
"Yeah, they seem to get on well together. Anyone for a game?" Sapphire asked as she picked up a pool cue.
"Sure," Johnny said and he joined her.

~

"Urgh..."
"Liam? It's Mike. Are you back with us?"
"Where am I?"
"You're in a hospital. You've had your appendix taken out."
"My appendix?"
"Yeah. I'm now not the only one to have passed out in the dumping ground because of it."
"Don't sound so pleased about it," Liam said and both Mike and Tracy laughed.
"How are you feeling?"
"Dizzy. Sleepy."
"That'll be the anaesthetic. It'll wear off."
"Have I had surgery?"
"You have. But it was only minor. 24 hours and you'll be able to come home."
"I thought they took my appendix out."
"They did. You were only in theatre for 2 hours though..."
"2 hours is a long time."
"Not in the world of medicine. Get some rest, I'll be here with you alright?"
"Can't Tracy stay?"
"Mike doesn't trust me."
"You can't do me any harm."
"Alright. I'll got back and look after the animals."
"Let them know that I'm ok."
"I will," Mike said and Tracy took Liam's hand as Mike left and he started to fall asleep.

~

"Mike. Any news on Liam?" Tee asked as he came through the door and he saw all the kids in their pyjamas early waiting for news.
"Yes, he's fine. It was appendicitis and he's out of surgery. Tracy's looking after him."
"Oh no."
"Gus?"
"You can't leave Liam with Tracy."
"Yeah, you know those too. All the trouble they'll get themselves into."
"Not while Liam is still drugged up and exhausted. Now, it's time all of you got into bed as well. Scoot."
"But he's going to be alright?"
"Yes. He'll be just fine."
"Good," Tee said and all the kids headed up to their beds.

~

"Liam!" Sapphire called as she went to the toilet and saw him leaning against the wall with his eyes closed.
"Hey Saf," He said as he opened his eyes a little.
"Are you ok? Have you been discharged or did you make a run for it?"
"Discharged. Tracy was... she let me..." Liam said as he pointed vaguely and closed his eyes.
"Alright sleepy head. Woah!" Sapphire called as she pushed Liam a little bit and he fell. Sapphire caught him and Liam opened his eyes.
"Saf... could you... I'm tired..."
"Alright. Tracy! Tracy!" Sapphire shouted into the house before Liam supported himself a little and Sapphire put her arm around him. "Ok. One step at a time," Sapphire said and Liam followed her to his room and into bed.

"Sapphire? Oh, thank you so much. Liam, are you alright?"
"Yeah. I'm..." Liam said as he did a thumbs up before falling asleep.
"He's pretty tired. Why didn't you tell us that he's back?"
"Because he was only discharged an hour ago. And he needs rest."
"Alright. Did it go ok in the hospital? Is Liam going to be alright?"
"Yes. He'll make a full recovery. He just needs lots of rest."
"Ok. Night."
"Night Sapphire," Tracy said and she left. She made sure that Liam was comfortable before she left him to rest and put a 'DO NOT DISTURB' sign on his door.

~

"Come in," Liam said after Frank knocked on the door. "Frank..."
"Are you ok?" Frank asked as he came in.
"I'm good. Yeah."
"You came back late, last night."
"I was discharged late. But I'm healing and Tracy's ordered me on two days of bed rest. Me!"
"I'm just glad that you're alright."
"Me too. I didn't want to pass out like that. What does everyone think?"
"They're worried about you."
"So they should be."
"Did you have, surgery?"
"I did. But I was with you lot, then Mike and Tracy were with me in hospital. Weird or what right?"
"Totally freaky."
"Yeah," Liam said with a smile before there was another knock on the door. "Come in."
"Hi," Tee said as Carmen opened the door.
"We've brought you some food. Thought you would be hungry."
"Thanks girls," Liam said and they put the tray onto his legs.
"Are you ok?"
"I'm good."
"We were worried about you."
"The great Liam O'Donovan. Passed out in the hallway."
"Not my best moment."
"No," Tee said and both she and Carmen laughed.
"Thanks for this."
"Can I see it? The scar?"
"Carmen!"
"No. Sorry Carmen. It's all still bandaged up."
"Oh."
"It's not that big anyway."
"We should let you rest. Come on Carmen."
"Thanks girls," Liam said as they left.

The rest of the kids popped their heads in and Liam suffered Toby checking him over to make sure that he wasn't dying. Once everyone was satisfied, Liam was left to sleep and recover.