Need some reassurance.

[Eenee]

just my opinion, but i'd exhaust all options before surgery (alll surgery contains risk-even death). So i'd be looking at seeing a naturopath to see if they can do anything first. But that's just my opinion- I've seen things go really wrong with tonsillectomies (sp?), so would want to try all options before I let my child have a GA and surgery. But having said that you are the mother and it's your decision either way, i didn't want to alarm you just give you another option.

Hope your DS is feeling better soon.

[Nelle]

I'd be scared too Spring. I think it sounds like you've thought about this, and you need to do something if the doctors are worried about how it will affect his hearing. I'm sure they don't go into surgery with little ones too lightly. xo And he will feel so good after it's all done and the hardest of recovery is over.

Maybe start to do some planning and preparing of helping him cope with hospital and recovery, I'm sure there are many mums on here with good experience.

[Willow]

Em - While you are entitled to your opinion of course, Spring posted looking for reassurance.

i'd exhaust all options before surgery (alll surgery contains risk-even death)

That aint very reassuring!

[SugarDust]

In a heart beat!

Ds1 is seeing an ENT tomorrow as he snores at night, has swollen tonsils and adenoids constantly.

[tellytubby]

Hey SA

Just wanted to let you know that i got mine out when i was 16. Apparently the older you are the worse the recovery, but to be honest, for me it seemed no worse than a dose of tonsilitis. I recovered within 4-5 days (i guess, can't really remember). But i do remember going to see the ENT specialist and him saying that it was now fine for me to go back to school, my mum and i laughed as i had been back at school for a week before him even saying it.

Just thought i'd let you know, that my personal experience is it isn't that painful. Just like tonsilitis. And IMO, i'd rather my child get theirs taken out and experience 'tonsilitis symptoms' one more time, rather than actually getting tonsilitis a number of times each year. I hope this helps. I think you've made the right decision

Good luck with it all!

[Astrolady]

Spring, my son Lachlan had surgery when he was 2. Not for tonsillitis, but for a hydrocele. He was home riding his bike later the same day and sitting on the bike was basically the same area he had his operation !!

[Spring Angel]

Willow: Thanks hun. You are a gem.

Em: Thank you for your opinion but more than anything I'm looking for reassurance and the experience of people whose kids have been through the operation or have been through it themselves.

Brontide: Thanks for your advice about how it all works. I feel much better knowing that he won't be poked and prodded before being put under. I think it would be too distressing. You are right, I'm freaking out about holding DS whilst under (if even just for a moment). Flashbacks to when DS1 was born are what worry me the most. I guess I've just got to get through it.

Nelle: Thankfully his is too young to have any understanding of what is going on which I am grateful for. My mum is going to come and stay during the recovery period. I'm also going to get plenty of activities organised that involve limited movemement. Plenty of painting, playdoh, cooking to keep him entertained but also resting.

Tellytubby: Thank you very much hun. I've not had a serious tonsillitis myself so I really don't know how painful it is for him, I appreciate your insight.

Astrolady: wow, that is great to hear. Back on the bike in one day, what a little trooper.

[~clover~]

bjrose: One questions, with the anesthetic did they but a canular in while DD was awake? I'm just so worried that DS will be so upset but this and I won't be able to hold it together. I was hoping they give him some meds to relax him first.

They've said both DH and I can go in until he is asleep and be in recovery with him so thankfully DH will be able to hold it together if I fall apart.

No, they put the canula in after she went under. We went to her cousins birthday after. She looked great in the morning & felt 100% better. She was tired that day, but was pretty good within a few days.
She had a bad reaction to the GA, but that's genetic in our family. Just jittery afterwards.
She didn't eat much that day, but started the next day. Was back eating normal with in days. I did keep her off school for the 2 weeks, but she was back to normal with in the week easily.
She had enlarged tonsils, enlarged adenoids & constant bad earaches, hearing problems. That night she couldn't sleep coz she could hear everyone breathing really loudly, lol. And I couldn't sleep properly for about 2 weeks coz I couldn't hear her breathing from the other end of the house!

[Trillian]

Spring, when DS1 had his arm set and plastered under a GA, they canulated him first before he went into theatre. But he was 6 so it's a bit different to a little one. Most of the time they do not let you go in with them while they put them under so you may not have to worry about that, or you could get your DH to go in if they will let one of you go with him.

[~mamaspice~]

Spring, just wanted to add also that I had my tonsils out when I was 5. Everything went really smoothly. I recovered pretty fast. (as most little ones do) I think the toughest thing was my mum had been telling me how I would get to eat lots of ice cream and jelly in hospital, but they'd just changed the rules and instead I was made to eat dry toast to help clear all the gunk out of my throat. That did not make for a happy little 5 year old!

[Michelle71]

Spring - I had my tonsils out at age 4 (day after my birthday - thanks Mum and Dad ) and my niece and nephew have both had theirs out at 4 as well. Al three of us were well and perfectly back to normal (and better - we weren't sick anymore) within days after. My sister had hers out at 16 with a post op bleed.

What they do - usually they put a numbing cream on the back of the hands and / or on the inside of the elbows so the sting of the cannula going through the skin is decreased. Most often they do what is called a gas induction where DS breathes in some pretty special air and goes off to sleep. They then put in the cannula after you have been taken out of the anaesthetic bay / operating room depending on the facility. They then do the procedure (magic tweezers I told my nephew) and he is back in recovery in no time.

If it is a place that specialises in little people surgeries they often use other distraction techniques (singing, blowing bubbles, watching TV / DVD of their favourite show etc) which help immensely with the fear and any distress / pain you may think they will have. There was a new research paper published / discussed in the news this week about the benefits of distraction for children undergoing surgery. It also said the anxiety of the parent had a significant impact so now it is time to do calm, deep breathing and happy face practice

Yes - there are risks with anything. But they are calculated risks and at the moment his health and hearing are suffering. Write down your list of questions for the anaesthetist and even consider telling them about your previous experiences and why you are so concerned about the anaesthetic etc. It is valid with your history

Would I do it - in a heartbeat. I believe there is a time and a place for alternative therapies (I have used many ) but this number of episodes and the increasing severity suggest removal is the best option at this point in time.

Post op - a few days of a sore throat but they mostly suggest a normal diet from the beginning (no ice cream and jelly like I got!!! Mara - I must be older ) and the main time frame for concern is 7-10 days post op when a bleed due to infection is possible - which is why they encourage a normal diet.

Don't doubt yourself

[Chocaholic]

My DS2 has been under a GA just before his second birthday but not for tonsils. I can't help with that but I admit the GA scared the crap out of me. After all, he was my baby.

He was given some baby panadol before we went into theatre. I was encouraged to take him to the theatre and I held him in my arms while they used the gas to knock him out. He was scared at that but once he breathed deeply a couple of times he went out really quickly. I talked to him calmly and quietly to help soothe him as well. Just a hint though, if you do hold him, be prepared for him to go floppy very fast. Like a ragdoll. Also, my DS had a shudder which looked like a convulsion but was not. I was warned before we went in that it might happen and is common. Apparently the nervous system just has a reaction and it is JUST a shudder so nothing to be scared about. Someone from the anesthetics team (my DS had an anesthetic nurse & a doctor as well) should brief you BEFORE you enter the theatre. Feel free to ask them any questions so you don't worry as much (if that is possible).

My DS had no reaction to the GA & was back to his normal self the next day. But as I said, this was not for tonsils!

Good luck. I think you have made the right decision and you have certainly done your research. Trust your gut instincts. If this can save him from a lot of pain and illness in the future, then I would go for it if I was in your position.

Hope his recovery is swift.

[Nettie]

My son had surgery when he was 10 months old for the repair of his cleft palate. The hospital staff should do a bit of preparation with you about what to expect but like others have said, you cuddle them while they put a mask to their face, they go floppy and you hand them over or lay them on the table (sometimes the eyes are half open which can freak some parents out - so be aware of that too). Kids can often 'fight' the anaesthetic too - so they thrash around for a sec as they go under, but it's perfectly normal and a reaction more than fear.

I'm sure that the few days of tension & worry will be well worth it a week or two after the op - you'll have a happy toddler who shouldn't suffer so much illness afterwards. Sounds like it'll be worth it to me!

All the best!

[Acacia]

Hi SA,

I think you've made a really difficult and brave decision - in your heart you know what is best for your DS, despite the fear that you're feeling. I admire that you're getting past that fear and your DS's health will benefit enormously through his childhood for doing this now.

I had many bouts of tonsillitis as a child, which eventually left me run down enough to end up with a rare strain of glandular fever that lasted almost 18 months when I was 11-12 yo. Eventually the GF left, but I still had tonsillitis often and ended up having my tonsils out when I was 14. My health improved dramatically after that time, when I'd been fairly poorly as a child and early teenager, and I think much of it was because of constant tonsillitis infections.

I had my adenoids out when I was 3 also. I had grommits in my ears 6 times from the age of 3 until I was about 8. I don't know that I was ever told that it was related to my tonsils, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was, given how many problems I had with them. So I had about 6 or 7 GA's before I was 8 years old, and each time I was fine. I remember a number of the operations (but not the early one's before I was 6 years old) and I remember always being cared for really well by nurses and always feeling better very quickly. I had anaesthetic cream on my hand, some panadol before I went to surgery and gas mask with Mum there each time. It was scary, but only for a tiny moment in time before I was asleep. And I definitely remember the jelly and icecream!

So I wanted to say that whilst it's a very difficult decision to make now, you may very well be saving your DS from a deal more health issues in his childhood by dealing with this problem now. He will be well cared for and you will be there to ensure he feels as safe and secure as possible in the situation - there is nothing more that your DS could need or ask for - to have his health and to have his parents caring for him.

I hope he recovers really quickly and I know before long you'll see him bouncing around the place! I know you'll get through it okay too - as Nettie has said - the tension and worry will be there, but I really hope it will be forgotten before too long.

[Spring Angel]

Wow, I am overwhelmed by your responses. That you to each of you for taking such time to post.

Well we've hit a bump in the road. DS has been diagnosed with Influeza A so no operation on the 27th that is for sure. I have to talk to the ENT specialist on Mon about where to from here.

I'm also sick so all in all it's been a terrible week.

Once again, that you to everyone

Spring xx

[LaDolceVita]

I had my tonsils and adenoids taken out when I was about 5, and was up in my hospital room bouncing from bed to bed 4 hours after the operation with a very big smile on my face, loving the attention... Apparently my Mum actually turned to the Doc and asked if I had even been in yet.

I do remember having the mask on my face and being told to count backwards from 10, I don't think I even got to 7... I don't remember much else about the whole surgery but I do know how lucky I felt when every kid in schoolw as coming down with Tonsilitis except me... It seems a horrible thing to go through! Much more painful and longer lasting than the surgery.

I agree with BG I don't think you'll feel ok about it all until after it is done. I can't imagine any parent being thrilled about the idea of their little angel going through surgery, or being sick either... It's completely natural to be worried, I do believe however that you will be very grateful 6 months down the track when you haven't had to nurse the poor little man through another bout of illness... I think he will be too. I know I am to my parents

Best wishes!

Alicia xx

[Schmickers]

With that kind of frequency, I agree, your best course of action would be to get them removed as soon as possible.

The only advice I'd give is to be really confident with your surgeon. If you don't feel confident, then shop around. Tonsillectomies carry with them a significant risk of bleeding post-operatively, a risk that a good surgeon will take steps to minimise. We made the trip to Newcastle from here to see an ENT that specialised in children for that reason - our local ENT surgeon is an adult surgeon.

[Spring Angel]

Schmickers: Thanks for your advice, it is very wise. Thankfully we are happy with our surgeon. We asked if he does children and he actually is quite experienced in doing children. The youngest was 6 months (I think the infection the bubba had was very serious). He explains everything fully (including the risk of post-op bleeding), is happy to answer all our questions fully. I trust him.

Alicia: To hear that you were feeling so great so shortly after the operation is very encouraging. You are right, we just have to look forward to 6 months down the track and a happy healthy bub.

Well the good news is, DS is almost all better. I have a phone call with the surgeon tomorrow to discuss whether DS will be well enough for the op.

I'm feeling more comfortable with our decision, all your posts have been very helpful.

Spring xx