Adenoidectomy

This morning Alex had his adenoids removed. We have been in consultation for several months with two ENTs and a dentist, and concluded that his adenoids obstructed his airway too much. So it was time to take care of it.


The surgery is a 30-minute outpatient procedure, done under general anesthesia. We arrived at the hospital at 7:15 this morning. Dana, Genevieve, Alex, and I were all able to sit together in the little pre-op room while the doctors and nurses bustled around and got everything ready. Alex had a dose of oral sedative before the surgery to help him relax and to make it easier to administer the general anesthesia. We waited about 30 minutes while that took effect. It was strange to see Alex in such an altered state, slurring his speech and acting "drunk". We talked about the surgery, and cars, and the present that Ryanne and Lucas put together for him for after the surgery, and lots of other stuff. We played on the hospital bed. Alex was very relaxed. But then again, Alex is usually very relaxed.


The anesthesiologist brought in a little green gas mask to show Alex how it worked, and to let him play with it for several minutes so he could get comfortable with it. We talked about how the air would blow through it and how he could hold it up to his face.

The nurse said that one of us (without Genevieve) could accompany Alex to the operating room until he went under. We asked Alex who he wanted to join him and after a few seconds of indecision he picked me. To be honest, I was kind of scared. They gave me a "bunny suit" to wear.


Then it was time to go in for surgery. I carried Alex in my arms, half limp from the sedative. He looked so small, helpless, and out of sorts, and I think when we got into the big, bright OR he started to get a little nervous. He didn't say anything. I laid him down on the operating table, and tucked his soft green blanket around him. Then I knelt down beside him and helped him hold his little green mask over his mouth while the anesthesiologist and I sang "Apples and Bananas" to him. He started to drift off, but he was still looking around apprehensively, as if to ask, "Daddy, what am I doing here? Who are all these strange people and machines?" I squeezed his hand and brushed his hair back, and then he was out. I kissed him on his cheek and left him. It was really tough.

After that we played with Genevieve in the waiting room. She had a blast. There were lots of good baby toys in the waiting room, and a big, colorful fish tank to look at.


When the surgery was done, Alex was moved to the recovery room and started to wake up. They had warned us that little kids usually have a hard time waking up from the drugs, so we were somewhat prepared. But Alex was pretty upset. Because of the breathing tube used during the surgery his throat was a little sore and his voice was really hoarse. And anyone who's had anesthesia knows that it can be disorienting and even a little disturbing. We sat and rocked him in our arms and helped him drink water and eat ice chips and popsicles. Unfortunately he has a small cut in his mouth from last week which made the popsicles sting a little. But after 45 minutes or so he was mostly calm. Ryanne came down to meet us. Her Jeep broke down early this morning so she had picked up a rental car for the day. This immediately piqued Alex's curiosity and was a wonderful distraction from his discomfort.


Finally it was time to go home. Dana had planned to spend the whole day with Alex at home, and I think that idea suited Alex just fine. We had new books, movies, and best of all, ICE CREAM waiting at home to speed his recovery.

But first we had to make a stop just outside of the hospital at Longmont's best donut shop


I learned a long time ago that donuts are among the most potent mood-altering substances known to little boys. By the time we got home, Alex was sounding and feeling better. He unwrapped his present from Ryanne and Lucas, and was delighted to find four of his very favorite movies, a new book, and a Cars plate, cup, and bowl set.


The prospect of having Mommy to himself all day at home was also very agreeable. By the time I got home from work this evening, Alex was pretty much back to his old cheery self. He's supposed to avoid vigorous play and Motrin all week. Hopefully with his adenoids now out of the way, he'll sleep better than ever!