Tonsils - Gone!

Travis had his tonsils out this morning. We went to the same hospital where Justin had his surgery so we were familiar with the routine, even if it wasn't exactly the same thing. Travis was in a great mood and he wasn't nervous at all. Our friend Melissa at therapy had told him all about the fun toys that he would get to play with and all the popsicles he could eat, so he was ready for that! This picture almost looks like the first day of school with Travis' backpack, but it's really at the hospital early in the morning.

He found the computers and the video games quickly. He hoped that maybe he could take one home with him! Either way, he enjoyed the racing games.

Then they called him back to the holding area. He got some cool pajamas and the Child Life specialist came back to describe what the doctors were going to do and how they would put him to sleep. He chose bubblegum smelling gas and she had the smell for him to try and see what it would be like. He tried the mask and told her how he would count backwards from 10 but he would probably only get to 8 before he fell asleep!

He got to choose how he would go with the doctors: He could ride in a wagon, drive a car, a rocket, or walk. He chose the wagon and asked me to go for a spin. I told him I thought it would work better if I pulled him, but this was his preference!

Then we tried it with him riding and it that was better! He enjoyed all the toys in the waiting area, but he was sad that he couldn't find any people to ride in the airplane.

Then it was time to go. He ended up saying he could just walk so he got his blanket and library book and heded for the door. When he got there, he froze and didn't want to go, so the doctor picked him up and whisked him off before he had any objections.

It took about an hour (practically no time compared to heart surgery!) The doctor came and got us and said that everything had gone well. She said his tonsils actually looked pretty bad, as if he had had lots of infections, even if he hadn't. He had already woken up and he wanted to be held, so one of the nurses had him and he was none too pleased with that arrangement. They had given him some more morphine and once I got him in my lap, he went to sleep for another hour and a half, with the occasional waking for a sip of apple juice.

The nurse finally said that he needed to wake up so we shook him a bit and asked him if he was ready to get up. He shook his head "no" and cuddled back up. A few minutes later he stirred again and we enticed him with the promise of a popsicle. That did it and he asked for a green one. And then a red one. He got those down and after a dose of tylenol with codeine we were ready to go home.

We had to detach all the lines before we could leave. That took four of us! He does not like band-aids or tape on his skin, and removing them is near torture. Pulling the tape off was worse than taking out the IV. We did manage to get it and we were free to go home close to 1 pm.

The rest of the day was fairly low-key. Justin came back from Me-Me and Pop's house and he needed attention which added a new element. Travis did not like his medicine and he was hysterical when we tried to get it in him. It wasn't flavored so Randy went back and had the pharmacist add grape flavoring, which still didn't help. I am hoping the next dose goes better, but I am not convinced. Travis managed to eat a little jello, some soup, and pudding, but even the cupcake treats Randy got for him were too scratchy. I have to work on Saturday, so I hope things are better tomorrow so Randy can manage okay by himself.