Emma, a young girl with tangled brown hair and worried eyes, clutches her stomach beneath her polka-dot blanket. Her favorite stuffed bunny lies at her side, its ear damp from being squeezed tightly. Emma lets out a quiet groan, curling up as another sharp pain stabs her side.
Mom, wearing a robe and an anxious expression, kneels beside Emma who sits hunched in a wooden chair. "Can you tell me exactly where it hurts, sweetheart? Was it hurting all night?" Emma nods, pointing to her lower right side, her voice barely above a whisper. Mom gently brushes Emma's hair back, worry creasing her brow.
Emma sits in a wheelchair, clutching her bunny, as Mom walks beside her. A nurse with comforting eyes offers a reassuring smile. Dr. Lee, a calm woman in a white coat, kneels to Emma's level, her stethoscope gleaming. "Hi Emma, I hear your tummy is hurting a lot. We're going to take very good care of you," she says, her voice soft and steady.
Dr. Lee gently examines Emma's belly and listens to her describe the pain. After a few tests and a careful look at the results, "Emma, it looks like you have something called appendicitis. That means your appendix, a tiny part inside your tummy, is swollen and needs to be taken out so you can feel better," she explains, her words slow and kind. Emma glances at Mom, her eyes wide with fear and curiosity.
Dr. Lee sits beside Emma, holding a colorful picture of the digestive system. "The appendix is a tiny tube that sometimes gets sick. To help you feel better, you'll have a special sleep called anesthesia, so you won't feel anything during the surgery. When you wake up, your tummy might feel a little sore, but we'll help you with medicine and you'll have your mom and your bunny right here with you," she explains, pausing to let Emma ask questions. "Will it hurt? Will I have a big scar?" "You'll be asleep the whole time, and the scar will be very small—like a little line. You'll be back home soon, I promise," Dr. Lee assures her.
Emma[/@ch_1] lies in a crisp hospital bed, her bunny tucked under her arm, while Mom holds her hand.]
"I'm so proud of you, Emma. You're very brave," Mom whispers, smoothing Emma's hair. "I'm a little scared, but I want my tummy to stop hurting," she replies, gazing up at her mom. The room feels peaceful, filled with hope and the promise of healing, as nurses begin to prepare her for the operation.
