surgery went well

[MommaMia]

See  post  farther along for update.... it went well!



This is the first time any of my children have gone in for a surgical procedure.
DD is having tonsils and adenoids removed in the am... around 8:30.  She's been having chronic sore throats and snores incessantly.  Her sleep patterns are so disrupted that I have to drag her out of bed in the am and she's exhausted.  

But the most difficult thing she has had to deal with is the chronic halitosis (bad breath)  It's shocking to hear how mean and cruel sweet little 8 year old girls can be on the playground, out of adult earshot...
" We don't want to talk to Zoe.... she has stinky breath!  Oh don't play with her.... she smells!"  The little brats!  How could they be so mean to my sweet, beautiful girl?  Check her out... she's a doll!  Who wouldn't want to be her friend?!?!

[AustinBoston]

She is a cutie!

I had both tonsils and adnoids out when I was about 8.  It was long enough ago that I don't remember much.  It was almost done assembly-line style back then.  Now I think things have swung the other way, and they often wait too long before doing so.

Either way, we will keep you and your daughter in prayer this evening.  BTW, who's more frightened, you or your daughter?

Austin

[julecav]

Good Luck tomorrow. What a cutie!! Our oldest DD had surgery to remove a benign tumor when she was 4 mos. old.  She's 7 now and just fine but it was really rough on us.  I'm sure your little one will be fine.  Also, her bad breath problem should go away after the surgery.  I read somewhere that a sore throat is a major cause of halitosis.  Again our thoughts are with you--let us know how she makes out.

[birol]

Good luck with the operation tomorrow morning, I will pray for her, please let us know how she makes after the operation.

She is such a cutie pie, kids today are a lot more cruel then we ever were I guess. Or now that we are the parents, we think so ....

[MommaMia]

She is a cutie!

 BTW, who's more frightened, you or your daughter?

Austin

Actually... Grandpa is a bit freaked out!

Otherwise, between me and her, I'd say me at this point.  Zoe has no idea how bad her throat is going to feel.  I had MY tonsils out just 8 years ago.  It was a horrible experience... I've heard it's worse for adults.  To be honest, if I had to choose between going through a tonsilectomy again or child birth, I'd gladly choose childbirth!  (did I just say that?!?!)

[DiW]

My advice is keep calm. Your daughter will look to you for guidance and if you're scared, she will be too. When my son had his first spinal cord/cervical fusion surgery, I was really nervous but tried not to let it show. When we were there for presurgical prep, my son met a girl having the same surgery you're facing. Her parents were as nervous and I was. It doesn't matter what the surgery is for or how long the surgery is, it's hard for us as parents to deal with it. We're used to making it better when our kids are sick but now we have to let someone else take over that role.

Our hospital had prepared our son well for what to expect (he had just turned 4) but no one told us we had to say goodbye to him in the hallway so when the time came, it was a bit rushed. Our son seemed ok with it all (he was engrossed in something trivial like the wrist bracelet or something) but I was frazzled. A year later, our son faced a similar surgery at a NY hospital. This time we were allowed to go into the operating room with him and stay until he had been given the anesthesia. This was much better for all of us. They also let him keep his favorite stuffed animal with him until the surgery began (we took it with us when we left the operating room). Will you be allowed to do this?

As parents we worry about all the what ifs, but remember to think about the reason you're doing this and the good that is to come from the surgery. Our son was in pretty bad shape at the time and looking forward to a surgery that adults would be a wreck about. Being 5, he only thought about getting better. He walked into the operating room, quickly climbed up onto the gurney and said to the amazed doctors "Let's get this show on the road. The sooner we start, the sooner I'll be better". In that moment, he reminded me to treat him like a kid and keep it light. Before you know it, the surgery will be over. In recovery, you might want to bring your daughter's favorite music cd or book on tape. Our son liked knowing we were there but the recovery room can get boring for a kid (waiting for the doctor to give the ok to leave). We've been through it many times and each time is different so plan to go with the flow. You will be a great comfort and you'll wish you had done this sooner.
Diane

[MommaMia]

My advice is keep calm. Your daughter will look to you for guidance and if you're scared, she will be too. When my son had his first spinal cord/cervical fusion surgery, I was really nervous but tried not to let it show. When we were there for presurgical prep, my son met a girl having the same surgery you're facing. Her parents were as nervous and I was. It doesn't matter what the surgery is for or how long the surgery is, it's hard for us as parents to deal with it. We're used to making it better when our kids are sick but now we have to let someone else take over that role.

Our hospital had prepared our son well for what to expect (he had just turned 4) but no one told us we had to say goodbye to him in the hallway so when the time came, it was a bit rushed. Our son seemed ok with it all (he was engrossed in something trivial like the wrist bracelet or something) but I was frazzled. A year later, our son faced a similar surgery at a NY hospital. This time we were allowed to go into the operating room with him and stay until he had been given the anesthesia. This was much better for all of us. They also let him keep his favorite stuffed animal with him until the surgery began (we took it with us when we left the operating room). Will you be allowed to do this?

As parents we worry about all the what ifs, but remember to think about the reason you're doing this and the good that is to come from the surgery. Our son was in pretty bad shape at the time and looking forward to a surgery that adults would be a wreck about. Being 5, he only thought about getting better. He walked into the operating room, quickly climbed up onto the gurney and said to the amazed doctors "Let's get this show on the road. The sooner we start, the sooner I'll be better". In that moment, he reminded me to treat him like a kid and keep it light. Before you know it, the surgery will be over. In recovery, you might want to bring your daughter's favorite music cd or book on tape. Our son liked knowing we were there but the recovery room can get boring for a kid (waiting for the doctor to give the ok to leave). We've been through it many times and each time is different so plan to go with the flow. You will be a great comfort and you'll wish you had done this sooner.
Diane

Thanks Diane.  That was very helpful, encouraging and calming.  I appreciate it.  Zoe is allowed to bring her stuffed animal.  It's a leopard almost as big as her!  They also said she can wear her own pajamas to the surgery clinic.  As far as I know,I get to be with her right up until the OR doors.  I'll check to see if I can go until she's asleep.  The thing she is most nervous about is the neddle in her hand.  She's not so bad with shots but I think she's creeped out by the thought of the needle just sitting there.

The procedure doesn't last long.  An hour prep, 45 surgery, 2-3 hrd. recovery. I am normally really good with medical stuff and the medical aspect of the situation isn't a problem for me.  It's just that I think of myself as pretty protective (healthy, not overbearing) and now I have to let go and trust someone explicitely.  I wasn't really concerned until several people started asking me if I was nervous.  Then it hit me.

We are both looking forward to the benefits from the procedure... Zoe even said so herself.

[B-flat]

I had that surgery at age 19.  It was a big deal at that time but now the procedure is a bit different and is not a big deal.  She is so cute and deserves to be treated nicely.  Yes, kids can be really mean these days and that kind of behavior is "learned."

[DiW]

Cindy,
Make sure you tell the anesthesiologist that your daughter is uneasy about the IV. Often times they give the kids something to relax them (usually a liquid) before getting the IV. Prepare your daughter for the oxygen mask. My son used to freak out about it. The surgical team knows our son quite well and works around it. They don't begin using the mask until he's under anesthesia. It's too everyone's benefit to keep the patient calm so don't be afraid to ask for something that makes your daughter feel more comfortable.

Also, if it's the pain of inserting the IV that's the problem, ask the nurse/doctor if you can use EMLA cream. It numbs the area BEFORE inserting the needle. The only problem is it has to be on for quite a while (over an hour I think) to work well (keep it on longer than they say). If your daughter is bothered by seeing the needle, you can make her look away by standing on her other side and talking with her or showing her something while the nurse does the IV. Just don't be afraid to speak up for your daughter. Little things can make a big difference and letting your daughter "dictate" how something is done will make her feel like she has some control over her situation.

Here's another thing we do. Truthfully I used to think my DH was nuts but realize now it keeps him busy. He keeps a little notebook in his pocket and writes down all those little details that I forget 5 minutes after they happen. Like when did the surgery start, when did the nurse give the medicine, what medicine (& amount) was given, etc. I used to think it looked bad, like we were keeping tabs on everyone. BUt in reality, it has helped us many times in recollecting details later on. For instance, your daughter may be curious later on about how long it took or what was the first thing she said when she woke up, etc. We laugh at some of the goofy things my son has asked for. Once after brain surgery when he couldn't even tolerate sips of water, he kept insisting we get him Chinese food and he went into this long speech about how we would go is we loved him, blah blah blah. My DH had a good time rereading that part to him days later.

Good luck. Zoe will be in our prayers tonight.
Diane

[NightOwl]

Cindy, I'm thnking  of you and Zoe this AM and praying all will go smoothly.  Infected  tonsils frequently cause very bad breath and after this is over with, the breath and snoring problems should be much better.  Unfortunately, there are always  mean-spirited kids, and there always will be, and it is not one bit worse today than when my kids were little 30 years ago.   I dont even like to think of some of the crap they had to put up with  despite attending wonderful schools.  Kids just dont handle things tactfully.

You've received some great advice in this thread about how to handle IV's.  I  MUST remember it if I need an IV in the future.  

We'll be looking for your update when it's all over.

[Dayton Dave]

Just tell her she gets all the ice cream she wants.  Best of luck to you both.

[birol]

Hopefully everything will go very smoothly, and Zoe will recover in record time ! She must be on the operating table right now. Good luck to all of you !

[angelsmom10]

My thoughts are with you right now - hope all goes well.  Just take whatever she says with a grain of salt.  Our YDD had to have her finger operated on as she had broke it so bad; and when she was in recovery, we walked in and the first words out of her mouth were..... "I hate you" --- she was not a happy child.

 
Now we just kid about it.

[campingboaters]

My daughter had the same surgery when she was 4.  The hardest part was afterwards when she refused to eat, but I'm guessing Zoe will know better than to turn down all the ice pops and Jello she can eat since she's older.  They told me it would be a two week recovery and they weren't kidding!

I'll tell you what though... my daughter is COMPLETELY different now.  She sleeps better (I think) and isn't such a chore waking up in the morning.  It would take us almost an hour to get her out of bed before, no matter what time we put her to bed.  She hasn't had any ear infections since the surgery either.  The recovery was the worst thing we've ever gone through with her, but looking back now, it was the best thing we could have done for her.
 
I hope the surgery went well and Zoe isn't in too much pain.  You are in our thoughts!  Make sure you tell your daughter about all the wonderful people here wishing her well!

[wiininkwe]

My prayers are with you this morning, and I know everything will be just fine.  A tonsillectomy isn't the major operation that it used to be (in the olden days) and after her recovery your daughter will feel so much better.   Also, you can look forward to less cases of bad colds, and sore throat problems.
T