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 !!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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