Claire's Brave Day

Claire has struggled with ear infections her whole life, and we finally decided she had one too many.  We took her to the ENT and a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and ear tubes were in order.

Claire 15 months getting tubes

Today was the big day – her first big surgery. She had tubes once when she was 16 months old, but not old enough to know what was going on. Also, ear tube surgery is much more benign than tonsils.  (Here she is in her pint size hospital gown years ago going in for her procedure).

We carefully broached the subject with her, just a few days prior to the procedure (hoping to avoid weeks of needless obsessing on her part). She had several questions like how the doctor would put her to sleep and would it hurt. The funniest thing of all, however, was her fear that they would show her the tonsils after they took them out. Ick! She also had to talk about everyone we know who has had their tonsils out, and whether or not animals have tonsils and have to have them out.

I did everything I could to take away the fear of the surgery by bringing home loads of books and movies from the library. I went to the toy store and bought puzzles and games, and, of course, we have a freezer full of treats to help her feel better.

I stayed in the operating room with her while they put her to sleep – that was the saddest part for me… to see your little baby kind of lifeless, but I am so glad for modern medicine that it is that quick and easy for her. She had a hard time waking up and was really frightened that she couldn't breathe and swallow (she takes after mommy and seems to be very unsettled by anesthesia).

She’s home recovering now and doing really well so far. It will be a long road to recovery but well worth it. The doctor said her adenoids were huge and her tonsils were inflamed, and that she had a severe ear infection in one ear. Guess that validates the surgery!

A visit from Uncle Timmy makes everything better