A couple of days ago I wrote about my stress over my son’s tonsil and adnoid-ectemies. Today was the surgery. While I wouldn’t say all my stress was for nothing my son was a total hero. A full on champ. He came through the surgery so much better than I ever thought possible. I’m sure that tomorrow there will be much more soreness but for now I have to say even I am impressed. The doctor’s, all of them, were amazingly impressive.
There are a couple of key takeaways that I’d like to share for anyone going into surgery with a child for the first time. First, anything you know they’ll need (in this case, juice, Jell-O, popsicles and ice cream) have them pick it out with you. It makes them feel involved and in control. Second, act calm. Even though I was nervous I didn’t show it. We made jokes the whole time we were getting him into his hospital gown and trying to keep it light with the parade of doctors and nurses who came to visit us. The doctors and nurses in this case were very well trained to work with kids but still it can be overwhelming for the little ones. Next, when you go into the operating room don’t be surprised by them doing a “deer in the headlights” about face. See if you can ease him into it. In this case the anesthesiologist let me hold him on my lap until the gas (ask for the bubble gum flavor mask) put him to sleep. And finally, when they come out of the anesthetic and they’re spitting blood, keep it together. My eyes were welling when he kept saying, “mama, there’s something blocking my throat” but I kept reassuring that he was ok.
There is no doubt that kids are resilient. They are amazing. We’re about 6 hours post surgery, 4 Jell-O’s, 2 popsicles and lots of apple juice later, we’re sitting in front of “The Sound of Music” soon to be asleep.
Posted on December 20th, 2005 by Sam
Filed under: Uncategorized
Hey, glad to have Logan back in the world. I don’t care what anyone says, putting your kids “under” (or myself for that matter) is stressful. Congrats to all.
Suzanne