Wellness abound!

It's been almost 1 year since Hana's surgery & over 6 months since Ty's surgery. Both have had flawless health & sleep habits!

Day 7: Out of the woods?

Welp, last night was better. Still dealt with an oppositional child most of the morning. Didn't seem to be in pain, just not himself. We think tomorrow will be a better and brighter day & hear on out. Hardly as bad as I thought it would be.

Day 6: Night from Hell

Wow. What a crappy night. We ran out of suppositories (BAD!). Ty went to bed at 545PM and then woke up at 9PM crying. Then again at Midnight until 4AM he did not sleep. He wanted to be laying on us. He would not tell us if anything hurt but surely something was going on. He even said his tummy hurt.

In the morning he ate a banana and had some regular tylenol melt-aways.

I wrestled him into a late morning nap (2 hours) and he woke fine - then at 1:35PM, FINALLY made his first complaint after eating avocado that his throat hurt. I gave him 2 suppositories.

Day 5: Please do NOT pass the DIP!

Ok, so just as expected, we are at day 5. Day 1-4 has been heaven. Day 5 has been "can I put our son out the front door and hope a neighbor takes care of him?" No complaints of pain or discomfort. Eating fine. BUT, pure opposition from morning til bed time.

DAY 2 of recovery "CAN YOU ALWAYS BE THIS MELLOW?"

Snoring and Apnea HALTED! Ty woke at 8AM mellow & happy. I immediately gave him TySupp b/c the key is pain control. He has no pain unless he tries to eat and drink. Just like Hana, he spends the morning out of it, mellow and won't drink or eat. I am going garage sale-ing to distract him and get some fluids in him once the drugs kick in.

Today was a great day. Still the on and off low-grade fevers. He took an un-forced nap, woke happy and then ate lightly and drank fluids most of the day. He didn't need much meds until around 5PM and then he went to sleep once again with EASE. No crying, no need to stay with him. Just went to bed like a normal child tired who can breathe thru his nose. We are AMAZED.

D-DAY for TY TY

Ty's surgery to remove his tonsils & adenoids was at 5PM on June 25th, 2009. We sort of followed our own guidelines about food/drink pre-surgery (so follow your Dr's suggestions, not mine). Ty's had a fruit stick, soy milk at 7am when he woke, smoothie at 8am and then his last meal was a huge egg, cheese & potatoe burrito at 10AM (we were suppose to stop all solids at 8AM) but my son metabolizes things much faster... and then he had only apple juice from about Noon til 440 when he went into to surgery to be anesthatized. We only gave him a short 30 minute nap which he took on the way to the hospital at 2PM (perfect recharge but not a full nap!). He woke from anestesica at 540, was giving Tylenol with Coedine and we were discharged at 820 after he drank 240ml of fluids which we gave him thru a 2tsp suringe (ONLY way he would take it). He did wake hysterical from anesth. and then was comforted by me and remained in my lap until discharged. He talked when prompted and waived hi to the children in the hospital. He was mellow and calm much to my surprise. I have seen some nasty 3 year olds in recovery when Hana was there (screaming, trying to take out IVs etc). He always hates things on his wrist so I was dreading how he would react to the IV when he woke (no reaction!). Ty passed out on the way home and then we woke him up before putting him in his crib for this 2nd dose of Tylenol with Coedine (1tsp for his 34 pound weight). He only woke once at 120 or was it 420??? and at that time I gave him 2 Tylenol 20g suppositories even tho he didn't seem in pain b/c he fell back asleep right away. He didn't even snore! Just a few whistling sounds and some sleepy dream noises. I am the one that slept terrible b/c I was holding him so much, my back and neck was spasming in the night.


The hospital was great!!!! They gave him all sorts of small toys to distract him, offered me snacks and gatoraid.

I actually ended up liking having the last surgery of the day. Recovery room is nearly empty, and Ty got to right to bed on way home versus having a drugged slumber and rest all day and then not sleeping well at night. I am in favor of late afternoon surgery in this case.
Tips: Bring a light stroller that you can push while you hold your son (ew that hurts!). Don't take other children with you that would hinder you giving your child 100% of your attention. Bring a change of clothes, ear plugs, mask, toothbrush, pillow etc in the car for you in case you end up spending the night (this could happen if your child refuses fluids or if there are any other complications). If they refused to drink, try different methods, straw, spoon, your own special sippy cup or a suringe (which worked for us).

DAY 1 of recovery (the day after surgery) "PACI BOY"

Ty woke up @ 8AM out of it and wanting to be stuck to me. 100 degree temp and would not drink...Tylenol suppository (2) at 8:30AM (not b/c of obvious pain, but b/c he refused liquids so I am assuming he is feeling something). No liquids and out of it most of the morning.
11:45AM 2 Tylenol Suppositories & then things got good...
Afternoon Report: WOW! Very different than my 4.75 daughter Hana! Ty ate a chocolate pudding, drank tons of water and by 3PM he had eaten cheetos, chips and a 1/4 thick turkey sandwhich.
Ty passed out at 415 PM for what we thought was for the night. He woke at 615PM, we gave him TySupp. and then stayed awake happy & mellow until bed time at 10PM.

Night Report: Ty only woke once at 220AM for what seemed like throat pain. I gave him another TySupp & he went right back to sleep.

Ty's TURN

So, Hana's surgery was a HUGE success. She has been sick twice with common colds and has fought both with ease. Pre-surgery, any cold would turn ugly after a week or so and she would end up on meds. So now I have almost 3 year old Ty who will have the surgery next week. Much like Hana his tonsils are HUGE and he is suffering worse in the sleep department - he can't breathe thru his nose at night and sounds like he has cotton balls in his mouth. He also has a hard time even falling asleep! We are looking forward to a future of good health and I will be praying that Ty heals faster and isn't difficult. It was a hard recovery for Hana who could rationalize my statements of "take these meds, drink this water or we will go to the hospital and you will need to get an IV in your arm" - Ty? I am not so sure he will buy into my adult logic. We shall see...

Hana gets her tonsils & adenoids out...

Background: Hana has been sick with sinus & ear infections since the age of 18months. She has only survived ONE cold in 3 years w/out needing meds. Although she has had only a few throat infections, she has spent most of the last 3 years sick 2-3 weeks of every month. By age 4, her tonsils & adnoids were so enlarged that she was snoring, having sleep apnea and her behavior and demeanor did a 180. We landed at Children's Rady on 3/5 for a T&A when Hana was 4.75 year old. As an aside: She had 8 virues turned infection lasting 2-3 weeks from August 08 thru March 09 (8 months) and then got the flu 2+ weeks prior to surgery date and had some residual cold symptoms after a round of zpack, but nothing to stop us from proceeding. She was excited and so were we.





Day 1: Just Take One More Sip Please (POST OP/SURGERY DAY)
730AM: hospital check in, standard tests, weight, temp, blood pressure, get in the jammies and wait.
800AM: met with nurse to go over procedures, got a TOY.
900AM: met with anestesiologist & doctor to go over procedures related to surgery and anestesia.
930AM: Hana went under bubble gum air (anesthesia)
950AM: she was done and wake in recovery - refused to sleep after given Tylenol coedine in hospital after she woke from anesthesia. Children's Rady was attentive and fabulous...She was in decent spirits but I had to force her to eat popsicle, jelly and sips of water and gatorade so we could leave. Discharged at
1245PM & behond: with lots of toys. Ride home: fought of sleep for the 50 min drive home. I gave her TY Coedine at 4PM in 4oz of choc milk. She drank water & choc milk (which had the dose). Layed around until bed time at 4:45 and passed out in my arms in her bed. I slept on her floor. Woke 3 times in the night for cuddles and pee pee. No fluids all night. Slept a solid 12 hours.


Day 2: Making Progress
6AM: In pain. would not eat or drink, whiney. 7AM gave her regular Tylenol and within 30min she could talk and drink tiny sips w/out pain. I got 2oz water in her. Nurse said as long as she pees 2 times a day, I am good. She stressed #1 PAIN CONTROL #2 FLUIDS...amox antiB dose last. 2nd dose of Tylenol at
1000AM: She was talking more, perking up in spirits and drank some ensure, 1/2 a baby donut & a lollipop. I was encouraged! I gave her her 1st dose of Amox (she needs 3 a day). The afternoon was great, Ty Coedine for pain @
400PM: (she starts talking funny & wants me by her every second when she is in pain) then when it kicked in...more popsicles, and ice cream and 1/2 a banana before bed time. She passed out at 5PM.


Last night Hana woke at 1AM with a high fever. I prayed over her and it broke within 10 minutes. I also got a difficult dose of Ty Co in her to help her go back to sleep and relieve pain.

Day 3: Ice Cream Social
625AM - she woke up with a high fever, ear pain and wet nasty cough. I gave her Tylenol & called the nurse.
730AM - fever broke and she is drinking juice and wanting food.
1000AM - Tylenol
1030AM - ready to eat - choice: vanilla icecream
Afternoon - 2 popsicles, short walks and out in the sun, trip to Big Lots to get some lil toys
400PM - 1/2 Avocado Yeah! Ty Coedine mixed with a lil honey and milk (works like a charm!)
500PM - Amox, ice cream + 1/4 banana (got to get the healthy in with the junk)
530PM - Asleep

Night time report: No fever! She did wake at 10AM crying from pain (gave Ty Co) and at 3AM crying from pain (gave Ty Co). It was hard to get any fluids in her in the night. Getting the TY Co was HARD too!



Day 4: Hana Wanna Cracker
Morning wake up report: Feeling Ok but refused all fluids until 10AM
730AM - TY + AMOX
1030 - TY + ice cream + smoothie + water
130 - TY - popsicle + water
200 - ice cream + water
315 - 1/4 Avo + 1/4 PB&J + rice crackers + a LOT water
430 - TY CO + AMOX
*Learned a new trick for getting them to drink a lot of water. I got a min water bottle that has the lil grooves in it every 3/4 inc or so. I used a sharpie to # the ridges starting with #1 at the top and going down to #5 (the bottle I had, had 5 ridges). It was a fun contest between us to see who can get down to #6. It worked. I got her to drink 8oz before bed which is great considering she wakes in pain 2 times a nite and refused to drink!


Night Time Report: Woke at 10:45 Ty CO, woke at 3AM for snuggles for an hour. Woke at 8AM!

Day 5: Whining & Dining

Morning Report: Much better! No fever, crying of whining. She took her meds and drank water. I credit the 8oz of water before bed time for helping out this morning.

800AM: Woke UP - Ty + tiny bit of juice
930AM: 100 degree fever, ear pain, forced 2oz water
1030AM: popsicle & candy
230PM: Ty + Amox rice crackers + water
300PM: ice cream
430PM: 1/2 avo
530PM: Ty Co + Amox + Avo + gummie candy + holding ear from "pressure" she called it
630PM: Noodles from can of chic noodle soup, some Tiger Bar
700PM: asleep

Night Time Report: She slept ok. She woke a few times for water and called out in her sleep. I realized in the morning that the humidifier stopped working (filter was jammed).

Day 6: Unwanted Regression
Wake Up Report: No fever just ear pain and the usual morning crankiness from ear pain, hunger etc

900AM: Ty
1000AM: Amox - 2 oz Ensure + 1tsp PB - not looking good
1200: Ty - no recovery period. Lots of ear pain and no energy. Not wanting to eat.
100: Amox
300: Ty - passed out for over an hour & stayned in bed until 730PM (did not get up once for 4.5 hours)
600: Ty Co + Amox - no food and only 4oz apple juice. 100 fever most of the day
730PM: energy spirt, got up to play, watch some TV with dad.
845PM: to bed in pain

Night TIme Report: By far the roughest night. Up nearly ever half hour at first and then sleeping in 2 hour spirts. Lots of ear pain. Ty Co at 10PM, 2AM, 5AM and it didn't seem to work. Whimpered and whined in her sleep and woke up crying for me. Low grade fevers around 100.

Day 7: The Ears Have It

9AM Wake Up Report: We are off to the doctors...
Doctor gave us great news. No ear infection and throat is healing fine. He said that the Ty Coedine dose was not enough for her body weight. He up'd the original dose from 6.25ML to up to 8ML. Great news!

9AM TY CO + 4oz water
1050AM AMOX + 1/2 yobaby yogurt
12 TY
By 1PM Hana was on the up and up with very little pain in ears or throat. She actually came with me and did my art class.
3PM TY
5PM AMOX + bowl of noodles from canned chic noodle soup, some ice cream and cool whip. water! NO PAIN STILL!
6PM TY Co
7PM - night night

Night Time Report: Hana woke like clock work at 9, midnight, 3AM for Ty Co.

Day 8: Better Days Ahead! I can see the light!

Morning wake up - Hana slept solid from 3-8AM!
8AM - Ty
9AM - AMOX - a handful of sugar snap pea chips from Henry's
11AM - Ty - felt ear pain about 30 min before her next Ty dose (typical)
1PM - AMOX
2PM - TY - TOAST with butter!
5PM - TY - two cookie waffers + ensure mixed with milk
545PM - AMOX

What a GREAT DAY! No major ear pain, no fevers, lots of talking and taking bites and drinking a lot of fluids!!!

Night Time Report: a lot of nightmares - up at 730, 1030, 130, 4 for meds. woke at 645

Day 9: She's Baaaaaack!
Morning Wake Up Report: Hana was sensitive, but nothing like the last week. She was coming out of her shell and not complaining of as much pain in the ears or throat.

645AM woke
730AM TY
800AM Toast + 1/3 banana
1030 AM TY + EGGS & TOAST - 1st real meal! She inhaled it
100PM AMOX
4PM TY + some chicken, bacon, bread
5PM AMOX + drinking so much water before bed that I had to stop her!!!

Night Time Report: Had active sleep with little to no pain. No need for any meds. Did wake up from 3-4AM and then fell back asleep and slept in.

Day 10: This Blog is Over
Hana slept in until 740. She woke up happy, rested and had limited ear pain while eating meals. I didn't medicate her at all today. Her voice sounds like a pixie and was better today (sounding-wise) than yesterday. This blog is officially over unless I have something to report. She fell asleep at 740 b/c she is a 12 hour UP, 12 hour DOWN girlie.

I can be contacted at - j e s s i c a w e l c h @ m a c . c o m (no spaces)!

My T&A Tricks & Tips:
*Keep a tray of all the junk you have to deal with hourly.


*I tried to stick with a regular bed time routine for my daughter since she needs 12 hours. I was lucky that even if she went to bed at 6PM, woke up several times in the night, she would sleep in until 8 or 9 to make up for the lost sleep. That was a huge blessing b/c pre-surgery, it didn't matter when she went to bed or how often she woke for however long, she still would wake up at the crack of dawn 10-12 hours later. For all the 9 days post op, she got a solid 12 hours even if it was broken up by night wakings.

*TY CO taste terrible and burns their throat. I mix it with warm milk & honey. It goes down MUCH easier, still burns but since they can barely swallow when they are in pain, it's better than wasting a dose in a cup of milk that they may not finish. I had that dropper ready each night for that wake up scream.

*Amox tastes ok (we had chalky bubblegum flavor) and easy to get down 30 min after the Tylenol. We started it on the 2nd day post op and did 10 days. We also gave her acidopholus/pro-biotics 30 min after each Amox dose to replace all the good & bad bacteria that was nuked in her system. This puts back flora/bacteria back in the system which is key to maintaining regularity, optimum digestions of all the junk they eat during recovery.

*If your child was snoring before the surgery, they may continue to snore in recovery. We found kingbio's SNORE CONTROL (@ Henry's Marketplace/health story) which worked IMMEDIATELY months before surgery and not only stopped the snoring, but the sleep apnea. We are doing 4 sprays right before bed just as a precaution. I didn't want to take the chance and stop using what has been working. It's homeopathic! $9.99 and one bottle has lasted us nearly 3 months.


*Plan to sleep with them. Here is Hana in MY BED next to hers.

*If it's dry where you live or you need the heat on our a fire in the fire place, a humidifier is key to keeping the throat moist and limiting night wakings. I recommend the COOL MIST one from CRANE. A great surprise to have ready when they come home. They retail for $34.99 at TARGET and are made by CRANE. Frogs, penquins, pigs etc...

*Prepare to spend every waking & sleeping second by their side. My child is not paritcularly clingy or needy/dependent, but she sure is when she is sick.

*Prepare for the day 5-7 dip in recovery. The ear pain may come in waves and the BEST thing you can do is make them chew & swallow. Even if it's 1 bite every commercial. ANd if you are watching the God-forsaken Disney channel like I was forced to do, that is 30 bites in one show!

*Prepare for deadly gas and bad breath. Hana wasn't too bad. We did the usual brushing 2 times a day + tongue and lots of swishing and spitting. She would occasionally gag up some nasty puss as she spat.

*Don't be scared to call the nurse every day for your own comfort. I happen to have a good one (THANK YOU ERIKA) who was hysterical and truthful about what to expect (which are all included in these tips and tricks).

*10-15% body weight loss is normal. Child will look gaunt, dark circles. Hana looked like she was dying & she lost 3 pounds (she started at 44#s)

*Fevers over 102 need to talk to your doc or call triage.