Continued: Dude.... Where's my tonsils?
Throughout the morning as I waited with my son to be prepared for surgery, I was relieved to see that the fasting wasn't posing a problem. I had taken in his Ipad to keep him distracted and that is exactly what it did.... an absolute "gem" of a resource.
When the time finally arrived for us to enter the theatre, we had visits from the anaesthetist, our Ear Nose and Throat specialist and surgery nurses. My son seemed settled enough looking at each of them as they entered our room to say hello. He was given the remote to move his bed up and down and happily played with this as we wheeled him into the waiting bay. I was given a cap, shoe covers and a gown to put on for the surgery room....(not a real good look I must say)... and filled in on the procedure for his operation. When it was finally our turn, I was asked to walk him into the room. My son happily did this with me and really why wouldn't he? But as I entered through the doors, he took one look at the lights and the machines and of course the bed and basically flipped out. I quickly scooped him up in my arms as he struggled to get away. We placed my son on the bed, kicking, screaming and crying as I frantically tried to calm him. I knew this part was going to be difficult but it still took me off guard. I was asked to restrain him, along with the other nurse as the gas mask was placed on his little face. I had spoken earlier in a post about this part. I am trying to be as honest and as real here as I possibly can. The reason for this is to help prepare.... not to discourage anyone. Within 20-30 seconds my sons body was relaxed he closed his little eyes and was asleep. But I was by this time a crying emotional mess, totally overcome by the drama I think of not just that moment... but the whole morning. I leant over kissed my child's forehead and got out of that room as quickly as I could. I went straight to the bathroom and basically locked myself into a cubicle and just cried. Once I composed myself, I went to get a nice piping hot coffee, send a few quick text messages and just breathe. Within 30mins, I was called back into the surgery as he was waking up. The nurses were brilliant. Getting me in there as quickly as possible. The next stage was also difficult. I tried to settle my son for around 40 mins. He was crying and fighting the effects of the aesthetic trying to sit up, pull out his drip and squealing. My biggest fear here was that he would seize. So I was trying to keep myself as calm as possible. Once he realised I was there tickling his back and whispering into his ear, he settled closing his eyes. We were taken back to our room.
Once there, my son and I both could finally relax.... it was over and we both made it through.
I can honestly say, at that moment, I hated being a single mum, I was angry that I had to be the one to do all this and I felt so alone. More than I have in a very long time.
Post operative, my son has been really a breeze. That night while we stayed in the hospital was a little rough. Neither of us had much sleep. We were waking him 4 hourly for pain medication and hourly for observations. He did try to pull out the drip a few times and even going to the toilet was a trial as he was attached to a drip trolley, but he never cried or complained.... not that he could anyway. He never got frustrated when he tried to strangle himself with the drip line in the middle of the night or even when the nurses took out it the next morning. We were allowed to go home that following day to rest and recoup. So far he has slept well, eaten a little and sipped small mouthfuls of water. He tries to play with the things he did before the operation but simply doesn't have the energy. Yesterday was easier than today. He is a little flatter and we have less talking... a little more pain but overall he is one amazing little man.
Each day I know he will get better, even though around day 5-7 the back of his throat will begin to crust up and scab. I have been told to expect him to go backwards for a few days and then pick up again. This will also be the danger time for rupturing. We are back to the specialist in a few weeks and even though it has been a emotional drain, I am tired from lack of sleep and just as board as he is, confined to the house, things will only get easier.
It is very peaceful to sit and watch him sleeping. Falling into a very deep slumber the kind he has never had from the moment he was born.
Stay blessed my beautiful child..... you amaze me, every moment of every special day.
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