[angelkisses0102]

Poor Alex...my little guy just can't catch a break. Next week (Feb 9th) he is having a new set of tubes put in...and his adnoids and HUGE tonsils removed...requiring overnight hospitalization. UGH!

He is going thru a 'I hate the doctor's' phase right now...based on all the time he's been spending there and screams and clings to me. Not a great time to be going to the hospital.

Any advice from those of you who have been there done that? We have done the tubes before...but I have heard the other stuff is painful. And I am scared to death what this is going to do to his attachment. Advice, please.

UGH!

[spaypets]

((Karen)) I have no real advice, except the obvious, to stay with him as he falls asleep and stay in his room if he's there overnight. Maybe you should be the one to deliver the ice cream too!

The other thing is to maybe get a children's book about surgery, so he knows what to expect (I still remember the book I had about a girl getting her tonsils out--I had my mom read it alot--even though I never did have my tonsils out).

[Vicki H]

I have no advice and I know you already told me about his surgery, but I just wanted to let you know that we will be thinking of him and hope he recovers quickly from surgery.

Poor little guy.


Vicki & Alex

[LilyMoon]

I'm sorry to hear about Alex needing surgery.
I can't imagine how upset you must be. All you can do is be there for him as you've always been. Sometimes these difficulties can bring you closer...he will definitley need you for comfort and reassurance during this time.

While we have not had this experience with my daughter, my son, did have to have lung surgery for a collapsed lung and I stayed in the hospital with him for a week. The advice I have is to advocate for him as much as you need to and don't let Dr.'s that just walk into his room examine him unless you know who they are. Since you will only be there one night you may or may not need this advice.

I wish you the best in getting through this. Remember, this too shall pass! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

LilyMoon

[mckenna]

ask to speak with a child life specialist before the surgery day. see if you can visit the hospital first and find out what is going to happen. see if you can go into the surgery room with alex until he falls asleep

[mikiment]

So sorry to hear poor little Alex is facing surgery! unfortunately, I have no real advice, just prayers for a smooth & safe process and warmest wishes that all goes well. I do like the idea of checking out children's books that talk about doctors/hospitals and preparing him as much as possible as well as reassuring him that you'll be with him the whole time. Big hugs to you and Alex and the whole family during this time.

[BlueSkies70]

I had tubes, tonsils, and adnoids surgery when I was 7. Now of course I remember a lot more than your little guy probably will BUT... I don't remember the pain at all. I just remember a bad sore throat.
The one thing I do remember is the ORANGE POPSICLE that I got after the surgery. My suggestion is that you continue your attachment parenting. You be the one that gives any drinks, ice chips, ice cream, or popsicles! Just allow the orderlies to bring the food into the room. You be the one to bring it close to his bedside and feed him.

Any surgery is stressful by its self, without the attachment factor. Try to hang in there and look at it as an opportunity to show Alex that you'll be there for him, offering comfort and love.

Hope his recovery is swift! From what I've heard, it's better to have these surgeries at a young age. Wish you the best.

[Kasey]

While we haven't been thru the T&A surgery, I have with my brother and my goddaughters, stay with him prior to surgery, they shoudl let you walk with him to the OR, but preferrably he should have some "giggle juice" prior to that to relax him, you will totally be able to spend the night, also make sure ahead of time with the nurses that you are there immediately when he arrives in recovery--they should accomodate you, and just discuss care ahead of time with the floor nurses, they you will feed him, take care of him, you can even do his temp and help put on BP cuff, simple things like that, the less "white coats" around the better.
On the floor they should also have some really fun stuff for him when he wakes up (if this is at a Children's hosp), ours has its on children's colorful TV per bed, with attached video game systems, rolling library of wonderful books, and maybe you can buy some special things ahead of time to bring out while he is in the hospital, also bring anything familiar for him, his pillow, blanket, stuffed animal, he can have all that on the floor with him.
I know it will be rough, but hopefully he will surprise you and sail through it, he will have some pain, but kids are pretty resilient and physically he should bounce back just fine!!
Good luck and I will be keeping you guys in my prayers!

[tbristow]

My youngest dd was 5 when she had it done and it was by far the best thing that could happen to her. She's had no more ear infections and her strep problems are almost completely gone (now almost 10). She had a sore throat for about a week. The worst was day 2 and 3 I think. She was sitting up in bed talking to the nurse when we got in to see her the first time. She sounded weird for about 3 weeks (they have to learn to speak without the swollen tissue that they've been used to). We're hoping to get a referral soon to get Hunter's adenoids and tonsils out soon.

Best of luck but you'll be SO glad you did it once he recovers!!

[mjkkbbr]

Poor Guy. Surgery is never fun. Maybe getting a small doctor set or Playmobile docter scene would be fun for him.

Side Note:
Have you had a second opinion? Our ENT doc said my now 5 yo needed a 2nd set of tubes and to have his adnoids out when he was 3 yo. After insurance it would have cost of about $2000 so I decided to get a 2nd opinion. The other DR said that adnoids out was not necessary and new tubes were optional. I am glad we did not do it because all of his ear issues cleared up and his speech started to come quickly.

[maddensmom]

I am so sorry he is unwell, Karen. I am also sorry I know nothing that would help, but I promise to pray for you all. I hope he does well with the surgery, Ariana does well with the confusion someting like this causes, and Mom and Dad get some rest.

[angelkisses0102]

Thanks guys...some good ideas...I just flipped out because we found out today...

He NEEDS to have it done...fluid in both ears...hearing loss in both ears...he is also developing sleep apnea...along with some very serious snoring...hey maybe he'll sleep better now.

I know the reason this freaks me out so bad is the first time he was hospitalized...well that was 'it' for his attachment break...

Thanks again...this poor kid!

[becky26]

I am so sorry about this! I hope that Alex will recover very quickly. Hopefully, he will really sleep better once his tonsils are removed. All the best!

Gabi

[amyfk]

(((((((((HUG))))))))))) for you and your son.

Amy K, NJ

[pwnort64]

Karen,

Haven't been through this (yet) with Henry, but I did spend 6 days with him in the hospital last winter with RSV. Be there for him, but make sure you take time for yourself, too. Like, take a walk when he is napping. Any chance you can have this done at a children's hospital? Their whole focus is working with children and it's just such a different atmosphere. Hang in there!!