Surgery Day

Lucas looks so tiny curled up in this hospital bed. Yesterday was a rough day for him. We learned weeks ago that he was going to have to have his tonsils and adenoids removed...it all began when we noticed how LOUD he was snoring, combined with some late night breathing that was freaking Josh and I out. His pediatrician was consulted and she sent us to the ENT, who was thankfully a friend and co-worker of Josh's. But the verdict was the same; they had to come out. I was hoping we could put the surgery off for a while, but the doctor seemed to think we needed to do it soon--and before school started in the fall was the best option. We got a weeks notice that a spot opened up and we debated telling Lucas. We finally decided to tell him two days before the surgery. Josh had already brought home lots of anesthesia masks and bags and showed Lucas what the doctors would do...which was good. Lucas had a lot of fun playing with all these "toys" before the surgery. But nothing can prepare you for the ACTUAL day. I made sure we had a total FUN day on Monday--Lucas and I went to the water park, had a play date with a friend, and dinner at his favorite restaurant--The Purple Cow. As a result, I think he was pretty tired and happy the night before the operation.
The morning of the surgery, he did pretty good. He was not allowed anything to eat and only 8 oz of juice before we left for the hospital, and he didn't complain (much!) But our procedure ended up being pushed back a couple hours and towards the end he was starting to whine his tummy was "rumbly" (thanks Tigger!) He played, read books, and acted cool as ice...until we got into our own room and it was time to change into his gown. Then he broke down and cried a little and said "I want to come back tomorrow to have these tonsils out!" Broke my heart. But he quickly rallied and got into his "jammies" and by the time the child life specialist showed up with a book of pictures of the operating room, he was more his usual self.

He did wonderfully while they came in to take his vitals and get paperwork filled out, and then he was offered a movie to watch while we waited, so "Aladdin" took his attention. But I noticed he was sucking his finger a lot and clutching his "yellow mat" (his second favorite blanket...we thought it was best not to take his absolute favorite) which are his "comfort" moves.

Looking a little more concerned...

Just before the procedure finally got underway the nurses gave him some "goofy juice" (Versed) to make him woozy...and that it did. He got much quieter, grinned a lot, and eventually his eyes got very droopy. I expected him to say some crazy stuff, but instead he gave us funny looks and his speech became VERY precise....like he was thinking about each word before he spoke it. Here he is making a goofy face (his eyes look pretty glassy from the drug!)

Now came the really hard part...for me, anyway. They took him away. The surgery was only supposed to last about ten minutes--and it was swift. Josh and I darted down to grab a snack and by the time we came back up, they were done. We were able to go back to talk with the doctor within minutes, and the anesthesiologist came out to take us to recovery about five minutes after that. He warned us that Lucas did beautifully during the surgery...but coming out of anesthesia was rough. I knew this because Josh had warned me, and I saw Lucas sick and crying after he got tubes in his ears. Sadly, I don't think either of us expected the full-on EXORCIST Lucas that we encountered. He was coughing, gagging, and screaming to "GET DOWN!" out of the hospital bed. He was also very violent--punching and kicking anything within reach. It was awful to witness. I couldn't even get near him for fear he would hurt the baby. The nurses assured me he would not remember any of this and it was all perfectly normal; but I was really scared. Josh held him (and battled him!) for about ten or fifteen minutes, while the nurses continued to give him morphine to calm him and ease his pain. FINALLY, he wore himself out and the drugs kicked in. Here he was exhausted on daddy's lap:

After all of this, the decision was made to keep him in the hospital overnight. Part of this was due to all the drugs he got and wanting to monitor him more closely, and part was because the ENT said his tonsils and adenoids were so huge that he probably had sleep apnea and they always keep those patients longer for observation. Whatever the reason, I felt better knowing he was getting more intense care than we could provide at home. We had not prepared to stay--it was supposed to be outpatient, but I am really glad we did. We were moved to a nice private room, and Lucas slept most of the afternoon. When he did wake up, he was not very interested in eating much and he was very demanding! Sadly, he wanted to watch a movie...anything but "Aladdin". I fear he may never want to watch it again! We had a couple rounds of him attempting to eat, then being sick, and a rough night where he didn't sleep very well, but by morning on day two, he was able to keep down enough fluids to go home. Here he is in his hospital bed, all hooked up to machines. Notice the uneaten popsicle in a cup on the table. He tried...just couldn't do it!

Today (Day 2) has been a bit of a roller coaster. I felt like I was living with a teenager this morning--he was pretty moody and uncooperative, but I saw a huge improvement by evening. He really has not complained of too much pain...of course, on the advice of multiple friends, we have kept the pain meds flowing like clockwork. He isn't eating a ton, but did manage to consume his fair share of ice cream and pudding. And he ate a little chicken at dinner, so I feel a little better about his diet! He has smiled and laughed a couple times, so I know my Lucas is in there somewhere...I just worry he is going to be grouchy forever. I even bought him a "Superman" goody bag with toys just because he did so super during the surgery, but he wasn't too interested in it yet. But I know each day he will feel a little better and gradually we will see the old him return. Not an experience I recommend, but I feel blessed that it all went as smoothly as it did. And once again, I cannot say enough about how wonderful the employees at Children's Hospital are--truly--they amaze me.