Adios Adenoids

The day Lucy got her adenoids out was a pretty big day for us. First surgery for either our children. First time our child has a general anesthetic. Not the first time to a hospital, but returning with a child with bad memories of her prior visit there (when she sliced her forehead open and needed 15 stitches). High expectations held by Mum & Dad that the surgery was a good decision and would provide relief for Lucy (symptoms: unable to breath through nose, very disturbed sleep with apnea, very loud snoring, hypo-nasal voice). The doctor said he couldn't promise anything (great!).

We explained to Lucy that we'd be going to the hospital to get her adenoids "fixed". Not removed, as that would have led to a preponderance of questions, i.e. how will they take them out?? Didn't want to go there!! There was a photo tour on the Alberta Children's Hospital website that followed a child going in for day surgery, so we looked at the pictures. Lucy had lots of questions about the medical side of things (what's blood pressure?) and then became very excited about the prospect of watching a movie in the hospital and eating popsicles! Gotta love 4 year olds!!

Lucy was very brave, positive and cooperative the day of the surgery... on the car ride there, through the pre-op assessments, into the pre-op room and finally into the OR. Then she got a bit scared. There were about 5 OR staff and the room is pretty scary with the equipment and lights. They wanted her to lie down to breathe in the mask, but she wanted to sit up and hug me. So that's how we did it. She didn't like the smell of the mask and wouldn't breath at first. I tried to put my face next to hers to do it with her, but then worried that I would pass out. LOL! Can you imagine??!! Eventually she breathed enough in and her eyes got heavy and I laid her down. Then I had to leave, but my feet were firmly planted to the floor, eyes zoned in on my little girl. They told me a couple times I could leave now - I heard them, but I couldn't leave. Every fibre of my being told me not to leave her lying on this bed in this cold room with these strangers!!! Eventually a kind nurse managed to make eye contact with me and I broke out of my trance - logic kicked in and I left (with tears in my eyes). Even though it's a super easy & safe surgery, it's scary for momma.

I was a nervous wreck in the waiting room (where they have your child's name on a monitor and regularly post updates on where she's at in the process). A difficult experience for sure. Jose & I thought of our friends Darren & Hege, whose little boy Mattias has been through countless heart surgeries, and could imagine a smidgen of how they must feel. Hege if you read this - you are one strong momma!!

So finally the buzzer we are given goes off (just like the buzzer you get when you're waiting for a table at a restaurant - I wonder who those buzzers were initially designed for) which means Lucy's being brought back to the recovery room and we can go meet her there. From there on, things get a big hairy!

As Lucy comes to, she's totally out of it. She sits up and starts freaking out. Eyes wide, pupils small, little hands clutching her chest, she tells us in slow dramatic words, "I can't breathe"!! I of course freak out and look to the nurses who are totally nonchalant about the whole thing. Lucy's looking at me with terrified eyes and I seriously think she's going into cardiac arrest or something. I know, total overreaction. But she is a drama queen and if you'd seen her little face...

Jose and the nurses remain totally cool and help her through it. Just a side effect of the meds apparently, and the sensation of fluid in her nose & throat from the surgery. Lu soon calms down (apparently we were lucky... this can go on for 30-45 minutes!) and we distract her with watching the movie "Tangled". Next, the daunting task of getting her to drink the prescribed amount of fluids before we can go home. At first she refused, then she had a lick of a popsicle, then a few more licks and then a few more cries, and then a drink of juice. Physically she began to settle, but emotionally she was very upset and offended by the whole thing. Poor little love. We didn't really explain to her how it would feel after - for one, we didn't know and for two, we didn't want to scare her. She became angry and upset when the nurse had to take the IV out of her hand (which was wrapped up in a towel) and screamed "no" at the nurse. We managed to calm her with the promise of a wheelchair ride all the way to the car. We were able to go home about 3 hours after the surgery. The doctor said her adenoids were very large and that she should experience quite a bit of relief from the surgery, once things had healed.

My Mum was here to help, and we watched lots of movies and fed Lucy lots of popsicles (grand total of 5 post-op, day 1) and smoothies. The hard part was getting her to rest - she's an energetic little girl! Fortunately the TV saved us. Her nose remained very congested for a few days after surgery, and then she had a very bad smell in her nose & mouth (because they cauterize the skin where the adenoids were). This really disturbed her and she was pretty miserable. She told us she wished she'd never got her adenoids fixed. Fortunately, about a week after, things really started to turn around.

And now... Lucy can breath through her nose! She can eat slowly with her mouth closed (instead of rushing to chew & swallow and then gasping for air). She sleeps peacefully, without a sound and without kicking her blankets off in frustration. She seems more focused during the day, more content in her body. We made the right decision and are so happy to see the improvements its made for her. And best of all, she is full of pride to show us how she can breath through her nose, and even told us she is glad she got her adenoids fixed. Hooray!!