Ms. Bree's Tonsillectomy surgery was performed thirty four (34) days ago today. Can you believe it? It has been a rough thirteen months for us but I think I am finally seeing the light at the end of tunnel.
In my post "Her Journey To Surgery: Tonsillectomy", I explained how long her journey had been and how helpless we felt during her monthly fevers before her surgery was finally scheduled.
A lot of our fans have asked why did it take so long for surgery to be scheduled. I agree that nine months of reoccurring fevers are a bit too much for a child's little body to endure.
As a rule, pediatricians can only advise this type of surgery after making sure the tonsils are causing a chronic problem. Unfortunately, during the beginning months, Ms. Bree had no signs of red or pink throat, she had a good cell count, no throat ache, no ear ache nor congestion. However, she would occasionally complain of a tummy ache. It was not until January 7th, 2016 that she was officially diagnosed with Tonsillitis and her second diagnosis was in February 8th, 2016.
When the doctor tells you "children recover faster than adults" believe them! Usually, tonsillectomy is done as an outpatient procedure, which means that the child will be able to go home the same day.
Day 2 Post Surgery:
The diet suggestion throughout the first few days included the following:
Drinks: water, tea, apple juice, gatorade, milk, milkshakes, popsicles, jell-o (drinks that contained high levels of acidic were not allowed) While she was allowed to have soda, it was not preferred.
Thankfully she understood that she couldn't have anything "red" and soda, therefore she opted to stick with Frappucinos and Milkshakes.
Food: Bland foods that are easy to swallow like ice cream, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, applesauce, grits, noodles, pasta, macaroni and cheese, dumpling, soft chicken (bake or boiled, not fried) and meatloaf.
Food was one of the most difficult parts for her. Ms. Bree is a big eater and by Day 2, she wanted to eat everything that she was not allowed to eat. She had a lot of mac and cheese, plain noodles with grated parmesan cheese. She also ate a lot of ice cream sandwiches, popsicles and chicken breast (rotisserie style).
Our instructions were to concentrate on hydration rather than nutrition and that's exactly what we did. We took cues from her and we watched her behavior closely for any indication that she was in a lot of pain.
The anticipated recovery time was two weeks and the only activities allowed were lot of "bed rest" and "quiet activities". No running, lifting, yelling, swimming are allowed.
Day 3 Post Surgery:
By Day 3 she was so bored, tired of taking naps and coloring quietly in the company of Grandmother. She followed instructions wonderfully by not yelling and running around the house.
We were also advised that while you are able to controlled the pain throat with medication, the pain becomes more severe during the 3rd and 4th day and usually peaks during the 7th-10th day.
She was so blessed, the severe pain we were told to expect, never came! While she continued to take the antibiotics like a champion, she really didn't require a lot of pain medication and I'm so thankful for that. As parents, we hate to see our children in pain and no power to take it away.
We were expecting some nasal speech or nasal regurgitation as we were told that both can sometimes occur, but Ms Bree didn't experience either of those things.
However, her breath was out of this world! We didn't make it a big deal, in fact, we explained to our son why Ms. Bree had a foul odor coming from her mouth, and why he shouldn't say anything to her. After all, we really couldn't do anything about it, the foul odor is often present during the healing process. We were told that swelling of the tongue, uvula and throat are common and it usually goes away within seven days. During the first two days, Ms. Bree had a hard time opening her mouth in order to brush her teeth, so we did our best to keep her teeth cleaned.
Ms. Bree's follow up with Dr. Oliver was on March 24th, 2016 at which time she was given the "green light" to return to school and was told she could slowly return to her regular activities. (except the trampoline)
Day 16 Post Surgery:
Her first day back at Church was so amazing. The kids were also looking forward to the "Egg Hunt". Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and the Egg Hunt didn't take place. However, their Pastor and staff did a great job making sure the kids had fun and they each received a bag full of goodies.
Day 31 Post Surgery:
April 9th was a very important date for her and for me as well. We celebrated little man's "special friend's" birthday, the celebration took place at the "Get Air" and what kid doesn't like a "jumping place"?
It was important to me because as I mentioned before, her fevers were a monthly occurrence and she would have them anywhere between the 5th -8th of the month. Well, the fevers never came!!
I can see the change in her. She no longer snores and she has not complained of any tummy aches. Like every child, she will get sick, she will experience the occasional cold or sore throat. We deeply believe the surgery worked and her quality of life has improved. While I know it has only been 34 days since her surgery, the fevers didn't strike this month and her daily activities were not affected at all.
Ms. Bree has been able to enjoy birthday parties, play dates, church and the good old Strawberry Festival! She is back to her old happy self, enjoying everything in life and everything in the refrigerator!! And that ladies and gentlemen, makes us very happy and very broke but we gladly accept being broke if it means having our children happy and healthy! LOL
A lot of our fans have asked why did it take so long for surgery to be scheduled. I agree that nine months of reoccurring fevers are a bit too much for a child's little body to endure.
As a rule, pediatricians can only advise this type of surgery after making sure the tonsils are causing a chronic problem. Unfortunately, during the beginning months, Ms. Bree had no signs of red or pink throat, she had a good cell count, no throat ache, no ear ache nor congestion. However, she would occasionally complain of a tummy ache. It was not until January 7th, 2016 that she was officially diagnosed with Tonsillitis and her second diagnosis was in February 8th, 2016.
When the doctor tells you "children recover faster than adults" believe them! Usually, tonsillectomy is done as an outpatient procedure, which means that the child will be able to go home the same day.
Day 2 Post Surgery:
The diet suggestion throughout the first few days included the following:
Drinks: water, tea, apple juice, gatorade, milk, milkshakes, popsicles, jell-o (drinks that contained high levels of acidic were not allowed) While she was allowed to have soda, it was not preferred.
Thankfully she understood that she couldn't have anything "red" and soda, therefore she opted to stick with Frappucinos and Milkshakes.
Food: Bland foods that are easy to swallow like ice cream, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, applesauce, grits, noodles, pasta, macaroni and cheese, dumpling, soft chicken (bake or boiled, not fried) and meatloaf.
Food was one of the most difficult parts for her. Ms. Bree is a big eater and by Day 2, she wanted to eat everything that she was not allowed to eat. She had a lot of mac and cheese, plain noodles with grated parmesan cheese. She also ate a lot of ice cream sandwiches, popsicles and chicken breast (rotisserie style).
Our instructions were to concentrate on hydration rather than nutrition and that's exactly what we did. We took cues from her and we watched her behavior closely for any indication that she was in a lot of pain.
The anticipated recovery time was two weeks and the only activities allowed were lot of "bed rest" and "quiet activities". No running, lifting, yelling, swimming are allowed.
Day 3 Post Surgery:
By Day 3 she was so bored, tired of taking naps and coloring quietly in the company of Grandmother. She followed instructions wonderfully by not yelling and running around the house.
We were also advised that while you are able to controlled the pain throat with medication, the pain becomes more severe during the 3rd and 4th day and usually peaks during the 7th-10th day.
She was so blessed, the severe pain we were told to expect, never came! While she continued to take the antibiotics like a champion, she really didn't require a lot of pain medication and I'm so thankful for that. As parents, we hate to see our children in pain and no power to take it away.
We were expecting some nasal speech or nasal regurgitation as we were told that both can sometimes occur, but Ms Bree didn't experience either of those things.
However, her breath was out of this world! We didn't make it a big deal, in fact, we explained to our son why Ms. Bree had a foul odor coming from her mouth, and why he shouldn't say anything to her. After all, we really couldn't do anything about it, the foul odor is often present during the healing process. We were told that swelling of the tongue, uvula and throat are common and it usually goes away within seven days. During the first two days, Ms. Bree had a hard time opening her mouth in order to brush her teeth, so we did our best to keep her teeth cleaned.
Ms. Bree's follow up with Dr. Oliver was on March 24th, 2016 at which time she was given the "green light" to return to school and was told she could slowly return to her regular activities. (except the trampoline)
Day 16 Post Surgery:
Ms. Bree was so excited that she had been given the "ok" to attend her best friend's birthday party!
While I anticipated for her to be a little bit more tired than usual after the party, she was not. She didn't require a nap after the party at all.
Day 17 Post Surgery:
Her first day back at Church was so amazing. The kids were also looking forward to the "Egg Hunt". Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and the Egg Hunt didn't take place. However, their Pastor and staff did a great job making sure the kids had fun and they each received a bag full of goodies.
Day 31 Post Surgery:
April 9th, 2016
April 9th was a very important date for her and for me as well. We celebrated little man's "special friend's" birthday, the celebration took place at the "Get Air" and what kid doesn't like a "jumping place"?
It was important to me because as I mentioned before, her fevers were a monthly occurrence and she would have them anywhere between the 5th -8th of the month. Well, the fevers never came!!
I can see the change in her. She no longer snores and she has not complained of any tummy aches. Like every child, she will get sick, she will experience the occasional cold or sore throat. We deeply believe the surgery worked and her quality of life has improved. While I know it has only been 34 days since her surgery, the fevers didn't strike this month and her daily activities were not affected at all.
Ms. Bree has been able to enjoy birthday parties, play dates, church and the good old Strawberry Festival! She is back to her old happy self, enjoying everything in life and everything in the refrigerator!! And that ladies and gentlemen, makes us very happy and very broke but we gladly accept being broke if it means having our children happy and healthy! LOL
