I took Kennedy to the ENT. He said she needs to have her tonsils and adenoids (sp) out and have to have tubes in her ears. I am soooo dreading this. Brooke had this done and she had to be admitted for dehydration because she refused to drink. I am really hoping Kennedy does a lot better. I just keep thinking how awful it is to put my baby to sleep feeling fine and then her being in terrible pain and feeling awful when she wakes up. I feel like I am a bad mom for doing that to her. I don't know, maybe I am crazy. Any advice on how to make this more bearable for both of us?

By Jtsmom on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 - 11:39 am:

I know how you feel about putting them to sleep. I don't know now old your child is, mine had it done in December (just turned 2). He was feeling better than he had in months (sick since the day he was born) and all of a sudden he was being put to sleep to wake up feeling awful. But anyway on the brighter side, its been 6 months and he has not even had a cold. We are talking about a child that caught everything that went around! It has made all the difference in the world!! I would advise you to ask your doctor to let your child spend the night though. Just in case she needs fluids. My son did because he refused to drink & it also makes them feel better quicker. We had a wonderful doctor. I hope yall do to. Good luck I will keep yall in my prayers.

By Dana on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 - 01:40 pm:

How old is Kennedy? DD had hers out in March. The two weeks of recovery were AWFUL, however, immediately after surgery, she said she could breath. Medicine was the worst time.

As for the dehydration, it really doesn't take all that much to keep them hydrated. What it does take is you sucking it up and forcing them to do something you KNOW hurts them.

I can't even tell you how many times I left the room in tears after being the "mean mommy". It broke my heart and my spirit. We were giving meds every 3.5 hours 24/7 for 13 days straight. And the codine made my child a monster.

On the bright side, it was ALL WORTH IT. My child is gaining weight, eating, drinking, playing outside, having bowel movements, and sleeping at night now.

Two weeks of misery was well worth the lifetime of health. She hasn't even had a cold since surgery.

I took DD the library and checked out books and read them. I explained that yes it will hurt when she wakes up and really stressed the ice cream (which she hated by day 2 LOL)

Jello was the easiest for her to eat.

We also took the tour of the hospital before the surgery. That was great.

As long as the meds were working, she was sort of okay, except for her mood change to monster. And day seven was terror for all of us. I forced her to drink or take bites of whatever I had. I allowed her to eat on a tray in her room as a special treat. We had a new gameboard that was to be opened only after surgery to add some excitement. Lots of snuggle time, and little sleep for either of us.

By Nrwestcott on Thursday, June 5, 2003 - 01:19 pm:

To answer the question of "how old is she?". She is 3. Thanks for the great advice. I am feeling a bit better.

By Oliviasmom on Monday, June 9, 2003 - 12:47 pm:

I'm about to go through it too. my dd is schedule for all 3 as well for August. My dd is 6 yrs old. My son had tubes done when he was 2 but there is no pain with that. I'm dreading the recovery as well. I'm sure she's going to be so scared too! Now I'm even more scared for her after reading these posts. But I know it needs to get done. She's have sleep apnea, constant infections, chronic croup and wets the bed - which they say is related to the sleep apnea.

Any other advice would be appreciated!

By Randarusse on Saturday, July 5, 2003 - 08:54 pm:

hey i have alot ofadvice on this . believe me go ahead and have it done while they are little. i went my whole life having sore throats and earinfections. when i was 17 i finally had all of this done. it was awful. i went home and became dehydrated and had to go back to the hospital. i was admitted and had to stay for two weeks. my little sister who was 5 went through it easy breezy. my doctor told me the older you get the harder it is on you. dont feel bad about it. trust me they would rather do it know than go through what i went through. hope this makes you feel better.

By Bobbie on Saturday, July 5, 2003 - 11:01 pm:

I agree it is best to have it done while they are young. Couple of suggestions... See if you can get the ENT to prescribe the meds prior to the day of the surgery so you can have the meds picked up and waiting at home... Or have some one ready to fill them for you.. And make sure you have plenty of jello, popsicles and icecream.

By Dana on Sunday, July 6, 2003 - 08:18 am:

Has the surgery occured yet? Hows it going?