Need some reassurance.

[Spring Angel]

DS has suffered 10 bouts of tonsillitis (and associated ear infections) since August of 08. It makes him very sick and requires treatment with Anti biotics.

The most recent dose made him very ill. We ended up in emergency with his temp at 39 degrees (and not coming down with panandol), vomiting, his heart rate at 167bpm and his oxygen saturation enough to worry the paed.

Thankfully he is on the mend from this latest bout. We have been seeing an ENT specialist who wanted us to wait to see if he grew out of it which we agreed was the best approach.

However, given how ill he has been with the most recent bout, the ENT wants to do a tonsillectomy and take the adenoids at the same time. He is worried about the frequency of the tonsillitis, the high use of anti biotics the increasing severity of the symptoms and the fact that it is causing fluid build up in his ears which is affecting his hearing.

So we decided to go ahead and book him in and managed to get a spot in less than a fortnight. We have really agonised over this decision and have decided that it is cruel (and dangerous) to let him continually be this sick.

The ENT surgeon gave me a heap of material to read through about the operation and I?m now second guessing my decision. I know that no parent would ever want their child to go through the pain of the surgery but I feel like we really need to do this for his health.

I guess I?m just looking for reassurance that we are doing the right thing. I know he will be in pain and the recovery period is at least 2 weeks. Have you or your kids had the op? How did you help them with the pain? Do you thing it was worth it?

TIA

Spring xx

[Trillian]

If I were you, I would do it, that's a huge toll taken on the poor little fella every time he gets sick. I have quite a few friends and know of a few others who had their children done both last year and this year and they have all noticed a huge improvement in their kids as well, not just health wise (the results of which would be obvious I guess) but also that they were generally *better* kwim? Just happier kids. One friend said her little girl gained 4kg in the 6wks post op as she was actually able to swallow food LOL.

But I imagine you have a lot of other concerns too, because it is an operation afterall and even though it is quite simple and done often, it still involves a GA and I can imagine what is going through your mind too But I am sure that he will be fine.

[Jakabella]

I would get it done too. I suffered alot of tonsilitis when I was a kid and I get it still now a couple of times a year and it sux! I have never had it enough in one year to qualify getting my tonsils out but I would jump at the chance!

My doctor told me that its better to get it done when you are young as its easier on you - its quite dangerouse to get it done when you are an adult.

You are making the right decision and I bet you see the gains in health very soon!!

Kate

[briggsy's girl]

i would get it done. i still remember having tonsillitis heaps as a kid and it was horrible - getting them out when i was 11 made a huge difference! i only remember feeling sore for a couple of days amd had so much better general hea;th and more energu afterwards cos i wasnt fighting bugs all the time.

i've a;so heard younger kids bounce back much better than older ones

[~mamaspice~]

I would get it done too for sure, for all the reasons said above.

[Novella]

I would get it done. If he needs it better sooner than later. If you wait twelve months he might still need the surgery and have gone through multiple more bouts of illness. I would also be concerned about giving more and more antibiotics. Good luck, it is so hard when we are left to make these huge decisions for our little ones. I had my tonsils out when I was 8, I think I had about 4-5 of pain but the panadol helepd, as a kid I remeber I felt so much better when I got back to my own house. I hope he recovers quickly if you go ahead,
hugs

[Spring Angel]

Thank you so much ladies, I value your opinions. It is the GA and the recovery that worries me the most. But to see him as sick as he was earlier in the week worries me even more.

If only they could take my tonsils instead.

[briggsy's girl]

A GA is scary for anyone - no matter their age - they won't put DS under the GA if there is any chance he is unwell - even mild snuffles and he'll be checked out and probably delayed. i can't imagine how scary it would be to have to have a toddler under GA - and i'm sure you'll be fretting the whole time - but i'm sure he'll be fine - and so much better for having the op.

[Spring Angel]

You're right BG, I'm sure it will make a huge difference to his life afterwards. The ENT surgeon said the operation only takes about 40 minutes so thankfully I'll only be hysterical for a short while

[Willow]

Babe, you've thought long and hard about this and you're doing the right thing. With him getting so sick, so frequently, I don't think you have much of a choice

[briggsy's girl]

nah, be honest - you'll be a mess up until you walk him to theatre, worse for that forty minutes, then a wreck until you see him smile at you for the first time post-op - and 6 months down the track when he's happy and healthy you'll wonder what all the worry was about.

don't worry - i'm soooo the same - i was like that with DH having surgery - can't imagine what i'd be like with DD (panic merchant extraordinaire here lol)

[SugarDust]

I had my tonsils and adenoids taken out when I was 18!

As a kid I was constantly prone to getting tonsillitis to the extent of ever month having to have a week of school because i was so bad!

I had a few down days with my recovery straight after surgery as all i wanted was to eat normal but had to be on a liquid diet until the healing process had begun!

I think it is best if your son has this op as he will become a happier little man once he has healed because he won't be getting constant sore throats and ear infections

[Spring Angel]

Willow: DH agrees with you. As soon as he started to get better I said 'do you thing we are overreacting) and DH just had to remind me how ill (and how often) it's been.

BG: You are right, I was a mess even talking to the surgeon about the op. Bring on 6 months time.

[Spring Angel]

SugarDust: Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm glad to hear that your down days were a matter of days not weeks. If faced with the same decision, would you do it again?

[~clover~]

you'll be a mess up until you walk him to theatre, worse for that forty minutes, then a wreck until you see him smile at you for the first time post-op - and 6 months down the track when he's happy and healthy you'll wonder what all the worry was about.

Sums it up about right.

DD1 had this op, with grommits done at 5. You are making the right decision. It will be hard, but I promise you will not look back!

I was fine & held it together great til she started going under the GA. I lost it & they took me out.
For the 40 minutes or so she was in there I balled my eyes out. When they brought her out though, I had to get it together for her sake. I managed, but it was hard.
any questions, just ask. It'll be ok.

[Spring Angel]

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.

[Willow]

Spring - I'd say no way they'll put it in while he's awake. With children they usually wait, as an adult (and an extremely anxious patient!) I've had them do it this way for me a few times. Shouldn't be an issue. They'll put the mask on, he'll go off to sleep, you'll leave and then they'll canulate him.

Just double check with the anaethetist on the day.

[Phteven]

When my little guy had a GA they used the gas to put him under and they didn't do anything until he was under.
They go to sleep very fast once they start breathing the gas. Be warned that he will suddenly feel very heavy and floppy in your arms - it is a bit of a shock to feel your child so limp and I started crying. I think that most Mums cry.
They let me into recovery so when he came round I was right beside him.