I’ve always been a glass half empty kind of girl. Can’t help it. I expect the absolute worst so I can be pleasantly surprised rather than disappointed. I waste countless hours consumed with worry that usually turns out to be unfounded. Ben’s tonsillectomy is a prime example. Leading up to yesterday, I was an absolute wreck. I googled the hell out of it, with only the worst case scenarios resonating with me. I sobbed in the waiting room. I was a mess.
I’m thrilled to report that the procedure was not nearly as horrific as I had feared. We arrived at the hospital before six for his surgery scheduled promptly at 7:30. He whined a bit for breakfast (no food after midnight,) but was otherwise fine and easily distracted by the crayons and hand sewn bear the nurse presented him with. The parent who was likely to stay calm and collected was told to accompany Ben to the OR. He’d have a mask put over his face to fall asleep before the IV was inserted and the operation could begin. Before I could give my input as to who was better suited, Jeff was already donning the plastic blue hat. Wise decision.
Jeff came out reporting that Ben was brave and composed until the mask went on, but was soon asleep. {Sob.} The operation lasted an hour and before I knew it the nurse appeared in the waiting room to escort me back. Ben was being held down in a crib crying for me, but calmed instantly when I held him. We sat in a recliner for a half hour before they wheeled us to recovery. Once in our room, we had TV, juice, a blanket and all the attention we needed from our own personal nurse. It was wonderful. Practically a vacation. I can’t remember the last time I cuddled with my Ben and only Ben. I was in absolutely no hurry to leave, but at 12:30 they kicked us out.
Back home, armed with ear drops, antibiotics and pain meds, the patient is doing great. The doctor warned us that his voice would be very high pitched and indeed it’s cracking me up. Ben is loving all of the juice (normally reserved for special occasions,) jello and television. He woke up crying a few times last night, but slept fine in between. So far, I would rate this worse than caring for a kid with a bad cold, but better than strep. Not bad at all, considering the gaping holes in his throat.
I hear day four is the worst. I’m not expecting it to be so bad, considering how well he’s doing know. So, it’s probably really going to suck, huh?
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More about Ben’s tonsillectomy:
Tonsillectomy Recovery: Just Say No
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Ugh, glad for you that it’s over…Hope all continues smoothly:)
I’m very glad that Jeff went in with him. Don’t worry about day 4, I’m sure it will be okay.
my husband always googles every health hiccup that comes our way, it’s disastrous for his ocd psyche, and of course he passes all the dire predictions on to me. ugh. we are so vulnerable about these little people, aren’t we? glad he’s doing well and good luck with day 4.
Silly girl, he’ll be bugging the crap out of Lily and Evan in no time, I’m sure! Oh, yeah, and you too…
I am glad that he is doing so well! I had mine out at 18 years old and it was pretty terrible; they say it is easier when they are younger, so hopefully he will sail right through!
Good luck!
You are getting a much better time than I did with my poor guy… it was horrible.
Glad it turned out okay…i was just like you when my son went in for surgery!
But it is funny to hear them speak and about around day 4 I just dosed him up with more medicine…
I know, I’m a bad mom!
The cuddling parts sounds wonderful. He is a little trooper, huh? Sleeping most of the night and drinking without crying, now that’s impressive – I was a baby when I had a wart removed! Cheers to hoping the rest of the week goes as smoothly for you all.
So glad it all went well, I said it would!!!!!!
Day four will be ok too!
Hugs for you all, xxx
Oh I am soooo glad it went well. I’ve been thinking of you! :)
Breathe. They *have* to tell you these worst case scenario deals so that you won't sue them. I wouldn't worry about it. I bet you anything that you won't even notice day 4 until it's been over and done with.
Glad to hear everything is going so well. I knew it would. :)
Love & Blessings & Ice Cream
xoxo
Yes! I was worrying about you last night as I fell asleep!! I’m so glad all turned out ok. I knew it would, but what’s even better is your patient is being soooo good. Yeah!!
I am exactly the same way… a worrier, a glass half empty, expecting the worst kind of person.
Glad to hear that things are going well. Sending Ben get well wishes!
I’m so glad he’s doing alright (and you too!)
I know you’re waiting for the worst, but I’m sure day 4 will be fine…
good luck!
It sounds like you have things under control but it still does not discount the “scariness” factor to the whole thing. Hope things continue to go well. Take care!
We went through this with Ian and it was so much better than I’d thought. Sounds like it will be for you too :)
Glad everything is going ok!! Hoping for a speedy, uneventful recovery!!
Poor baby!! I’d have been just a wreck as you were. Shoot, I have my glucose test tomorrow and I’m already convinced I have GD and will need the three hour test and will have to go on a strict no-good-food diet and blah blah blah. So I feel ya.
I didn’t click on that link. I was too scared.
I am so glad the surgery went well. I hope the worst is past you
I am very glad to hear it went smoothly! Poor baby…
Glad it’s going well so far… hope day for doesn’t suck as much as you expect it to.
Glad it’s over for you!!! Smooth sailing from here on out.
i’m glad everything is going well. I had my tonsils out when I was 17, so i want to warn you because they definitely did not warn me or my parents he’s going to cough up some scabs. they look like snot, but aren’t and they definitely don’t feel like scabs. Day 4 was fine for me, good luck!
I am so glad all went well. I was relieve to see your tweets. I can’t imagine how hard it was to have your baby go into surgery. Way to stay strong.
That’s so wonderful. Keep your eyes open, I remember my brother having a harder time a few days later. But it sounds like you are enjoying your cuddle time.
Glad to hear Ben is recovering well. Stay strong…he will be fine!!!
Crossing my fingers for you……..I’ve heard the next day gets bad, so maybe he’s just totally a trooper!
I was 5 when my tonsils came out. I had to stay overnight in the hospital and they put me in a bed that looked like a cage. I woke up crying for my mommy too. I remmber my teddy bear coming too and he even wore a surgical hat. I also remember that the balloon on the bag was black, because I asked them for a purple one.
Aw, poor guy! And poor you! I’d be a sobbing mess too. My daughter had to have tubes put in her ears and I cried the whole time she was having it done. Turns out, it was a piece of cake. Glad to hear it went well :) Good luck for the next few days!
I’m so glad things are better than you thought they’d be. Yay!!
sounds like you ALL did a good job :)
i’m glad they let you back with him right after so he didn’t get too scared, i had to wait HOURS after my daughter had surgery a few years back. i remember being a mess, i could hear her crying and they wouldn’t let me see her *gggrrrrr* I guess it’s the mam bear in me too :)
Oh gosh, this sounds exactly like my experience with Bud and the tubes last week. I was a basket case and so glad when it was over.
And I tell my husband the same thing all the time. He’s always saying (snidely) “you always expect the worst.” And I tell that is because when it happens I’ll be prepared, and if it doesn’t then I will be pleasantly surprised. I really don’t think there is anything wrong with that.
I’ll be thinkin of you all and sending my best. Good luck with day 4.
I sound a lot like you…I am so very glad everything went well!!! :)
I would have reacted exactly as you did. My guy didn’t have his tonsils out but a good friend’s little boy did and she said it wasn’t as bad as she expected. My husband never lets me forget that the one time my son had a different kind of surgery (oral), I had to leave the state. I actually was out of town and decided not to change the surgery date because I knew it would be better for everyone — THAT’S how stressed out I get about this stuff! LOL!
I remember those days from my own tonsillectomy and I feel for your little one. I’m glad he’s doing so well. But did you have to use the word gaping holes? Those memories for me are not pleasant.
Thank you all so much! He’s really been amazing. Such a little trouper. :)
Glad to hear the surgery went well and Ben’s doing ok! Hope his good spirits keep up!
What a brave boy! So glad that he’s doing OK. :) Good luck getting through the whole recovery!
You were both very brave and I hope your husband took everyone out for ice cream. Just kidding of course – but seriously – don’t you get ice cream after a tonsillectomy? That’s what I saw on the Brady Bunch…
I’m glad he’s doing so well. I had my tonsils out when I was around 10 yo. The funny thing is one of tonsils grew back years later. I’m a one tonsil woman now!
phew.
have been thinking about you. wishing you lots of ice cream.
Told you it was a snap! I made Adam take Bram back as well, and HE came back crying.
So glad Ben is doing well.
NOTHING be as bad as the Tonsillectomy Breath. Once the scabs start forming, you will pass out smelling them. And they want to lay right on you. Good luck, sweetie. Wear a mask with mentholatum inside it. heh
I’m glad it went well!
thank goodness!
day four?? why is that bad?
Oh – wow – I’ve been out of commission this week so I had no idea what was up!! I am so happy everything went well with your little cutie and that you got all of that CUDDLE TIME! What an unexpected blessing from the whole situation….
Hope he’s feeling better!
:-)
Glad to hear he’s doing so well! And let’s face it, if I could drink juice and eat jello all day, I’d be a happy camper too.
I am so glad he is doing well!!! I was a mess before my son’s surgery as well, sobbing in the hospital room. I was so scared about the whole anesthesia thing!
All sounds perfect. You’re almost there…promise!
I’m so glad it went well, and boy, you went through hell with your worried, didn’t you?!
glad to hear all went well for your little man
Ahhh…hope the little guy is doing even better since this post.
it’s always so scary when our kids have to go through anything like that…i’m always worried about something. but you know, i had my tonsils out when i was four and i’m now 42, so everything works out in the end, right? :) did he get a lot of ice cream? i think that was my favorite part of it all. lol
My son is 3 and having his tonsils out & possibly tubes on Monday. Thanks for the insight as I’m pretty scared about him being under a general anesthetic. How did day 4 go?
Thanks so much for the encouraging post. My two yr old daughter goes in the morning @ 6.00. I, too, have worried myself sick over it! Thanks again for your post! Say a prayer for us.
I was googling and came across your website. My daughter just turned 2 and she is going to have this surgery in a couple weeks. I’m trying to get myself prepared and I’m freaking out. I read day 1 and was wondering how was the rest of the time. I’m just terrified that she is going to be in soo much pain that I can’t help her.
I wouldn’t mind a reply to this myself.
My 2 1/2 yr old son is having an adenotonsillectomy in two weeks and I am also a wreck. My biggest concern is for his pain and discomfort that I cannot explain to him or help him with. I don’t know what is worse, this or staying awake every night to make sure he is breathing. He sleeps in our bed so I could keep watch over him and needless to say, none of us are sleeping. His father has sleep apnea as well so it is in surround sound for me. I know the end result will be worth the anxiety but still can’t help but to worry.
okay, so Tanner had his surgery 9 days ago and all is well. he knew we something was up cause he wouldnt get in the car and we sat in the car 4 a half hr before i could force him into his car seat. he is on the mends and all is well. such a relief. feels like IM breathing 4 the 1st time. now i stay away to listen 2 him purr, the sweetest sound EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!