Aug. 24, 2007 - Tales from a Tonsillectomy
This past Tuesday, my 11 dd had her tonsils and adenoids removed. The way the surgery came to pass was a little off the wall. When she participated in swim team at the beginning of the summer, she ended up with an ear infection. We took her to our family doctor, who routinely checked her ears and then her throat. He turned to look at me and asked if we had ever had her tonsils looked at by a specialist. I said no that we did not know of any reason to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
He then mentioned that she had very large tonsils, and they weren't swollen. He said there is a possibility that due to the large size, she may need to have them removed. The doctor left the room, and my daughter began to get a little misty-eyed. She did not want to have surgery! (Total surprise to me as we went in for an ear infection.) I consoled her and said there was no reason to get upset, that we should "not worry about tomorrow, as today has enough worries of its own". We didn't know what the specialist would say.
A few weeks later, and we were in the office of the ear, nose, and throat specialist. He was very friendly and apologized profusely for having us sit in the examination room for 20 minutes. I don't know about you, but I have never been apologized to by a doctor for waiting 20 minutes. On the rare occasions we have any type of doctor's appointment, we always wait a minimum of 30 minutes just to be seen, and that doesn't even count the wait in the waiting room. Needless to say, I was immediately impressed with the way he ran his practice! :O)
He promptly sat down, his assistant at her computer, and started checking her ears, nose, and then the throat. He rattled off +3.5, then some long word I have never heard. He swiftly spun around his chair and said, "Ok, Mom, let me tell you what that means! We judge tonsil size based on a number system. +4.0 means that your tonsils are touching in your throat and your airway is blocked. She has a +3.5, so your doctor rightly concluded that you needed to see me." He then proceeded to tell me that he understands that I only met him 5 minutes ago, but he wanted to be sure that I knew he was very conservative when recommending surgery. He then said that she needed to have her tonsils and adenoids removed, as it was a danger if she ever had swollen tonsils, she may not be able to breathe. He also said that it would improve her daily life, as she breathes, sleeps, and plays sports. She has not been receiving the amount of oxygen she needs.
It was as if a light bulb clicked in my head. She has always breathed loudly, snored, and had trouble catching her breath while participating in soccer and basketball. It wasn't ever a situation where I thought anything was overly wrong. But as he discussed the matter with me, I knew things were just not right.
So, we waited many weeks, as the surgery had to be scheduled at our local Children's Hospital, as I specifically went to him since he had privileges there. My daughter had some anxieties, as the anticipation was too much for her. We took her to the hospital tour offered for kids and families who were scheduled for surgery. She was able to go into a room, check out all the equipment they would use, stand in the operating room, see the masks they use for putting the kids to sleep, as well as finding out how they could choose a flavor for the air. She was able to go into the recovery room and see what would be happening there, too. This eliminated about 90% of her anxiety.
Monday night, before the surgery, we planned a fun night of pizza and ice cream at a few of her favorite spots. We then came home, and were all exhausted, knowing that 5:30 would roll around early the next morning.
As we lay in bed that night, she couldn't sleep. I talked to her and tried to answer her questions. I realized as the night went on that I was powerless without the Word of God. It was amazing as she mentioned that her devotion that morning had to do with fear! It was after midnight, and I hopped out of bed. I went into her room and grabbed her devotion booklet. As I read over the section for that day, I was reminded of other verses that dealt with fear and anxiety. I started flipping through my Bible reading her those verses, and praying them over her. I went and got a pen and some index cards and wrote 3 of her favorites on the cards. (We had already shut down the computer for the night, or I would have printed them off! LOL!) I hole-punched the corners, and tied them together with some tie-dyed yarn. We threw those in the bag ready for the hospital and she was finally able to fall asleep. (Close to 1 AM now.) I should mention here that I am a night owl, so the late night did not bother me; it was the need to wake before 6 AM that was hard on my brain.
I woke early to grab myself a quick bowl of Raisin Bran, since she couldn't eat, I didn't want to eat in front of her. I also have low blood sugar, so my husband and I knew that I had to eat, or the day would have truly been more emotional than necessary. She woke up, pretty nervous, but ready to go on.
We arrived at the hospital, quickly checked in, and she had to give them a urine sample. She was mortified. At 11 years old, it was routine for them to do a pregnancy test. Actually, any girl over 10 was required to have one. It was very humorous to me to have to stand outside the bathroom stall and coach my 11-year-old daughter on how to go in a cup! :O)
All in all, I have to say the worst part of the entire process so far was when they came in the room to draw a blood sample. She has never had that done before, and we really weren't prepared for it. No one told us it was coming, and even though I should have known better, I didn't. The only crying that has happened all week came when the gal had to take that sample. There I was, trying to calm my dd down, giving her a "tight hug" (aka holding her down on the bed) as she cried that she wanted to watch! UGH! Why? I kept telling her not to watch, but she insisted. So, there we were, both of us watching, dd crying and Mom trying not to, as the gal drew her blood. Another side note, I hate blood and needles, but God is good as he allowed me to handle that split instance where I had to buckle down for my daughter.
The nurses came in 20 minutes before her scheduled time and said that they were ready to take her back! She tensed up, started slight tears as everyone hugged and kissed her. She grabbed on to me, as if she didn't want to let me go. They started wheeling her bed out; she instantly sat up and started talking to one of the nurses about school. She is such a trooper!
Surgery went well. No trouble at all! The doctor said that when he laid her back to perform the "ectomy" her tonsils fell back and closed her airway. He was very happy that we had decided to go ahead with the surgery.
Unbelievably, she has been in minimal pain so far. She hasn't complained at all, other than a slight sore throat. Now, Mom has kept on top of the pain medicine, so I am trying to keep her from having to feel the pain. I set my alarm to wake up in the middle of the night to keep her meds pretty steady. She is in love with Speedway Coke Freezes, so for the last 3 days, we have been making the trip to the gas station which is down the hill and a block away to grab her a Coke Freeze.
A few days before her surgery, we had bought 8 boxes of popsicle-type treats. She said yesterday that she was getting sick of the junk food and wanted something better. Yes, my jaw dropped open in surprise! So, I took the 100% juice from the fridge, as well as the frozen mixed fruit from the freezer. Picking out the pineapple, I created her some totally healthy and delicious smoothies. I also poured some into our Tupperware popsicle molds, and she has greatly been enjoying those ever since.
What tomorrow holds, I have no idea, but I am completely grateful that things have gone well so far! I just keep asking the Lord to give us what we need to get through the day we are on! :O)
Comments
Aug. 27, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Titus2woman
AW! I am soo glad you shared your story with us! I know it's not been easy, but y'all really are troopers! (((((HUGS))))) and prayers for quick healing going up! ~sandi
Aug. 27, 2007 - tonsils out
Posted by Anonymous
WOW! that's great that she is doing so well. I understood all of this as out 3-1/2 yo daughter just had hers out on Wed. although it is a huge struggle to get the meds down her :( she threw up at first but now is fine, except the med taking. thanks for the encouragement. Lisa
