Tonsils out and questions and a vent

[packrat]

Kids' tonsils came out this morning. Went pretty well. Trapper has chubby little arms so the IV didn't go as smoothly as it could've. London's went better than expected. London's a trooper and just handles everything, rolls along with it generally. She's 7 tho, and Trapper will be 4 next month, so he's a little..harder when it comes to these things.

My tonsils come out next Wednesday..let the anesthesia anxiety begin!! Dr. did reassure me that he does 500 of them a year and they all go home haha.

Has anyone here had them out as an adult or know someone who has? One of my coworkers had hers out last Spring, so I've talked to her a little about it. Talked to the nurse and Dr about it again this morning when we were there with the kids. I've not talked to one person who didn't tell me that adults don't bounce back the way kids do and to have some extra help. JD will take next Wednesday off, but after that, I'm on my own when he's not here-taking London to school, picking her up and taking care of the kids all but a few hours in the morning when JD is home. I've mentioned to my mom a few times that I might need some help for a couple days and she just waves her hand and tells me I'll be fine.

When I called to tell her we were home a little bit ago, I mentioned what the nurse and Dr. had told me today and she said she wishes people would quit saying that I'll have a harder time than the kids b/c that makes me believe it. She said since I handle pain so well, I'll be fine.

The thing of it is, I can't just lay in the recliner all day, I've got kids, you know? And the "handling pain so well"...who else is going to take care of things if *I* don't? Seriously. All four of us were sick w/influenza A a couple years ago-I spent the weekend taking care of myself, both kids, a husband, the house, the pets, AND studied for and managed to pass my insurance licensing exam. Last year we all four ended up w/H1N1 at the same time, and there were times I had to crawl on my hands and knees to get from room to room, but there was no help. When I had my hernia fixed, I took 3 days off work. Not 3 days off taking care of the kids, or the house, I was still doing dishes and laundry the very next day, just 3 days off work. When I had c-sections w/the kids, the same day I came home, I was doing laundry, dishes, taking care of things-because nobody would help.

I've been in tremendous pain and waved it off, laughed it off b/c what else am I supposed to do? I've *wanted* to lay on the floor and cry from being overwhelmed and the pain. I don't like to ask for help, who does? But I guess I feel like in certain situations, when someone knows you need/want help, why can't you offer it?

And what I'm told is "I've been there before, I know how it feels, trust me" So..wouldn't you want to help someone else, rather than shrug your shoulders and walk away?

What are your experiences having tonsils out as an adult? Do I need to find someone to help me a little in the afternoons? JD said if he needs to, he will try to take Thursday off work too, and hopefully by Friday I can manage on my own. I just hate the thought of him having to take the extra day-they're short handed and he is on track/being groomed for a Supervisor position and it's a big deal when he's not there..mom doesn't work, so it would just be nice for him not to have to worry about getting in trouble for taking more time off than he "needs" to.

I know this sounds like a big fat pity party for me and honestly, it makes me sound like a whine baby pee pants, which I'm not, I swear. I just want to know what I should be prepared for, and if it's another case of having to "suck it up and do it".

 

[Pandora II]

I haven't personally, but I have two close friends who had theirs removed as adults. I hate to say this but it is WAY, WAY worse than it is for kids. You need to stock up on serious painkillers. One of my friends was given morphine for the first 3 days and then hefty doses of codeine and needed them.

When considering the help you need, I would think about how well you can function while taking powerful analgesics - for example you shouldn't be driving a car. Some people are totally knocked out and can just sit in a complete fug, others handle them well and could do laundry, dishes, all that kind of thing.

Good luck!

 

[lliang_chi]

Holy cow Packrat! That sounds like a doosey with your past experiences. Can I suggest you getting a house cleaner or something for those days? Or if that's a little overboard, maybe pay one of the neighborhood teenagers to come over for a few hours and help with the laundry, dishes etc? For stuff like influenza and H1N1, I can see people being hesitant to help. But if you're getting you're recovering from surgery, I think it'll be likely you can get some hired help.

Hugs, sorry for feeling you're all alone.

 

[somethingshiny]

I've known many many kids with their tonsils out, including my son at 2.5 yrs old. I've known 2 adults with their tonsils out. Those 2 adults complained more than all of the kids put together. It's definitely harder, but I understand the mind over matter aspect. I wouldn't expect to be doing too much for the first week and very little the second week. Definitely get some help lined up if possible. Good luck! It will be worth it when you don't have a constant sore throat!

 

[packrat]

Thanks Pandora, lliang and Shiny! Ha, I tried to explain to mom that the Dr. has done 15,000 tonsillectomies, around 500 a year and the nurse has worked w/him for 15 years, and they say by and large, the adults have a really hard time with it..so, wouldn't you think they would be in the "know", really? And I was told everyone is different and the ones that can't handle it are weinies, and my coworker who had hers out last Spring (not 50 years ago like my mom) is a baby for saying it hurt. Soo..yeaaaaah won't be expecting help. Suck it up and deal w/it.

Actually, the times we were sick w/the different flu's, she'd already been exposed and put on medicine, so I guess I hoped that when I called her almost in tears b/c I was scared that I was getting loopy/feeling like passing out (part of the reason I was crawling and couldn't stand up) and wondered if I should call 911 she would come but.."Oh I've been there, trust me. I don't miss those days. You'll get thru it, I always did, you just have to dig deep." I'm dramatic about a lot of things but not being sick or being in pain, so I thought it would be along the lines of, she never complains when she's sick or in pain so if she says she's having a hard time, she really must be.

I'm going to arrange for someone to pick London up for school and bring her home Thurs/Fri at least, so that will help.

Thanks for letting me vent!

 

[gemdandy]

I really hope you can get some help! I had my tonsils removed 2 years ago at the age of 45. The recovery process for me was long and difficult. The first 3 days, I actually felt fine and experienced very little pain. After those initial first few days, I thought everything I had heard about adult tonsillectomies was exaggeration. Boy, was I wrong! From the fourth day until the fourth week, I was in pain and beyond frustrated with the constant stabbing sensation in my throat! I had expected the pain to ease up after a week or so and was surprised every day when I woke up again feeling awful. I was taking liquid Percocet and while that did relieve the pain for a time, it knocked me out. I would sleep for 3 hours with every dose!

If you have a high tolerance for pain (which it sounds like you do )and are younger than 40, hopefully it won't be so bad for you. I really think my results were related to my age. My doctor told me that as you age, your tonsils recede more and more (cryptic tonsils) and more digging is required to get them out (sorry for the grossness).

If you do have the surgery, I would suggest you try a pain medication with a less drowsy side effect than mine. Try to sip on water as much as you can stand - Popsicles are great too. Also, just be aware that the slightest bending forward motion can increase pain (I had someone scoop the litter box for me) and brace yourself if you sneeze!! Holy crap - the worst!

Good luck! I really hope your experience will be better than mine was and that you can get help, at least for the little, surprising things (like the litter box) that might hurt to do right after surgery.

 

[NakedFinger]

I swore there was a thread about this already cause I feel like I already wrote this , but I cant find it anywhere.

Like you, I have dealt with my share of pain. Back/hip procedures and multiple surgeries due to a car accident I was in. I deal with pain well and have a high tolerance for it. I had to, with what I have been though. I have had more surgeries than I can count. And I will say, none of it compared to a tonsillectomy.

I am not trying to scare you, buts completely different. The pain isnt just aching, its like dealing with the worst sore throat in the world, plus horrible pain, plus uncomfortable stitches IN your throat. Ugh just thinking about it bothers me (I got sick from the anesthesia too. Try throwing up with stitches in your throat, NOT fun). Its painful and just plain annoying at the same time. Granted, my doctor told me my tonsils were soooo big, and I had an extreme case. So I dont know if it will be different for you.

In your case, I would DEFINITELY get help since you have kids. Like I said, I have a high tolerance for pain, and I went through liquid codeine like it was water, it was the only way to not be miserable. That stuff zonks you out too, so you will not be in any shape to run after your kids or drive them anywhere, etc. The other big part, and again strictly because you have kids, is the talking part. The first 4 days, NOTHING came out when I tried to talk. Not even a sound, then after that, it sounded like a muffled low sound when I talked, like i was trying to talk with marbles shoved down my throat or something, and that lasted for a week. I had to write things to people. It hurt like hell when I tried to talk, I didn't have an audible and comprehensible voice until about 2 weeks post surgery and even then it sounded liked i had a soar throat/laryngitis . When my doctor told me to take 3 weeks off work for recovery I thought he was nuts, but to be honest, I needed it. So my concern is how you are going to talk to your kids, discipline them, instruct them, parent them, whatever. I had someone home with my taking care of me for the first 5 days or so. Especially since you have to watch out for bleeding. After that, I was home by myself during the day, but again I didnt have to worry about taking care of anyone but me

Hope this information helps, let me know if you have more questions about anything specific!

 

[iugurl]

Aw that is too bad! I am sorry . Does your mom ever watch your children over night? Maybe your mom thinks you will be perfectly fine and doesn't want to "help" you but maybe she would want to watch your 4 yr old for a few days? Even if you have to take London to school, you could rest the entire time she is in school. Then pick her up and tell your husband to pick up dinner on his way home! He can do the laundry when he gets home, if you are not up to it. I am sorry! I don't know anyone that has had their tonsils out so I have no idea what you will feel like...

 

[packrat]

Thanks for the continued replies and support! We had another talk about it yesterday and basically was told I'm psyching myself into thinking it's going to be horrible so I'm feeding into what I'm being told by everyone. I mentioned again the thousands of procedures he's done and the nurse who has worked surgery for so many years and it was poo poo-ed. "We're not saying it's not going to hurt, but it's not going to be as bad as they say it will" I said I just didn't want everyone thinking I'm going to be bouncing around and back to normal the next day-and they said "You'd be surprised how well you handle it, look at the kids" I'm like uh..I'm 30 years older and have to take care of them so not really so much the same thing as completely different, I think. I was told everyone is different and handles pain differently, which I'm quite aware of. then I got irritated and said you know, I've had two C sections and my hernia fixed, I know what pain is and I know what it feels like, but I've been told this is a completely different type of pain, not to mention a different place. And I got big eye/head rolls and "Ohh GAWWWD come ONNNN". So, I just said nevermind, I'll deal with it like I always do, and that was the end of it. I thought I was gong to start crying I was so upset. They always say not to try and be superwoman/supermom but you know..what else is there?

If it was just me, I would lay around all day and not worry about it. But I have kids so I can't..I've mentioned that before too, when I get sick and the providers are telling me I need to rest or I won't get better, and that's why I'm sick for 1 and 2 months straight, miserable, every time, and end up on more than one round of antibiotics b/c I can't shake it--"Yep, I hear ya, I've been there before" Is what I hear..no offers of help so I can get better.

No, there won't be any offers of watching the kids overnight..the last time they stayed the night was over a year ago, and it's kind of an issue for them to watch them other than the 3 hours a week when I'm at work. JD works 2nd shift so he gets ready for work around 2:15 and leaves about 2:45. I think my aunt is off on Fridays now so I'll see if she can watch them a little bit Friday for me. She maybe could pick London up after school for me. I'll just have to have JD do some calling on Wednesday for me and get things arranged. If my brother was still working days I know he'd help but he's back on 2nd shift again w/JD.

The not being able to talk thing, my coworker mentioned that. Her mom stayed at her house for 5 days b/c she couldn't talk and said her kids took advantage of her not being able to do anything. I had laryngitis once, when I was pregnant w/Trapper and couldn't talk for 3 days and when my voice did start coming back, it was like I had to take the deepest breath possible to just force out one word-very tiring.

This Dr. does it w/heat or a laser or something, so there aren't any stitches at least..small consolation haha. I do have big tonsils too..they aren't touching together but they're quite a bit larger than normal.

Thanks again guys..it's nice to know someone understands how I feel!

 

[risingsun]

Packie~ I do think you are going to need some help post surgery. Is there anyone, other than your mother, you can call upon. You have been ill most of the winter and you are having surgery. You will need your rest. Do you have some options?

 

[packrat]

No..not any help lined up Marian. My parents think I'll be fine. My aunt said she'd make me some chicken noodle soup, and I think she's off work on Friday so instead of waiting until next week I'll get ahold of her now and see if she can help. Family friends live around the corner, and I think she's usually off on Thursdays so I'll see if she can watch the kids a little in the afternoon..even if she's not off, I'm sure she and her husband (they're like a second set of parents to me, known them my whole life) would help out when they get off work. And actually, I think one of London's friends is having a sleep over next Friday that London is invited to, so that would help. I've another friend who has boys, a little older than Trapper-I can see if she'd have him over to play for a bit Friday when her kids are out of school. I don't think JD has to work next weekend, so he'd be home..and if he does, then we'll have to see what we can get lined up.

JD told me today that he feels we're taking a backseat..I said hell I feel like I got stuffed in the trunk.

We're having a hard time messing around w/finding specific leather furniture w/out having to drive 2 1/2 hours, and I tried to get some advice today (do we drive 2 1/2 hours to see color swatches and order and wait 8 weeks for it to come in, or do we drive 45 minutes, and pay $1000 more and still have to order? that type of stuff, pros and cons..) and I got a hand put up and "They're bringing your brother's countertop today, I've got to get up there" and she left..I stood there w/my mouth hanging open. My dad and brother are there, so you can't talk it out w/me and give me advice? My parents used to be my best friends and it really hurts, you know?

 

[risingsun]

No..not any help lined up Marian. My parents think I'll be fine. My aunt said she'd make me some chicken noodle soup, and I think she's off work on Friday so instead of waiting until next week I'll get ahold of her now and see if she can help. Family friends live around the corner, and I think she's usually off on Thursdays so I'll see if she can watch the kids a little in the afternoon..even if she's not off, I'm sure she and her husband (they're like a second set of parents to me, known them my whole life) would help out when they get off work. And actually, I think one of London's friends is having a sleep over next Friday that London is invited to, so that would help. I've another friend who has boys, a little older than Trapper-I can see if she'd have him over to play for a bit Friday when her kids are out of school. I don't think JD has to work next weekend, so he'd be home..and if he does, then we'll have to see what we can get lined up.

JD told me today that he feels we're taking a backseat..I said hell I feel like I got stuffed in the trunk.

We're having a hard time messing around w/finding specific leather furniture w/out having to drive 2 1/2 hours, and I tried to get some advice today (do we drive 2 1/2 hours to see color swatches and order and wait 8 weeks for it to come in, or do we drive 45 minutes, and pay $1000 more and still have to order? that type of stuff, pros and cons..) and I got a hand put up and "They're bringing your brother's countertop today, I've got to get up there" and she left..I stood there w/my mouth hanging open. My dad and brother are there, so you can't talk it out w/me and give me advice? My parents used to be my best friends and it really hurts, you know?

I'm really sorry to hear this. Having help would help your recovery. I understand why you feel as if you've been stuffed in the trunk! I wish I could think of something else to suggest. Try to use your friends offers of help as best you can. Don't worry about your furniture right now. We can talk about it later, when you are feeling better. When is your surgery?

 

[packrat]

Thanks Marian! It's next Wednesday. We'd hoped to have new furniture by then b/c the couch is broken (like be careful how you sit so you don't land on the floor broken) and my recliner is fine for sitting in but it's uncomfortable for laying/sleeping..I'll just have to get a bunch of pillows and try to sleep upright in bed since they said not to lay flat.

I'll just have to get w/London's friends parents and my aunt and arrange help..we'll figure it out!

 

[PinkTower]

I am a teacher, in a small town. I gather you are also in a small town. In our school, we have a "shepherd committee." We make sure that meals, transport, childcare, and whatever else is needed is provided when families in our school have a need. Parents are contacted via phone tree and sign up as they wish. The sign ups are usually accomplished very quickly; it is not uncommon to receive an email saying that there are more than enough volunteers, please wait until next time. I think you would be amazed at the outpouring of support if your school knew of your need. After all, that's what makes living in a small town so special.

 

[risingsun]

Thanks Marian! It's next Wednesday. We'd hoped to have new furniture by then b/c the couch is broken (like be careful how you sit so you don't land on the floor broken) and my recliner is fine for sitting in but it's uncomfortable for laying/sleeping..I'll just have to get a bunch of pillows and try to sleep upright in bed since they said not to lay flat.

I'll just have to get w/London's friends parents and my aunt and arrange help..we'll figure it out!

I have my fingers crossed that it will all work out for you! Get in touch, if you want to talk.

 

[risingsun]

I am a teacher, in a small town. I gather you are also in a small town. In our school, we have a "shepherd committee." We make sure that meals, transport, childcare, and whatever else is needed is provided when families in our school have a need. Parents are contacted via phone tree and sign up as they wish. The sign ups are usually accomplished very quickly; it is not uncommon to receive an email saying that there are more than enough volunteers, please wait until next time. I think you would be amazed at the outpouring of support if your school knew of your need. After all, that's what makes living in a small town so special.

That's a place where I would like to live

 

[Lorelei]

PR, my Hubby had his tonsils out as an adult and the whole procedure and recovery went very easily. He was a little uncomfortable after the surgery but not in any pain. He went home the same day and didn't have any complications thank goodness. I was nurse so I made sure he drank some liquids every hour, nothing too cold or hot. Also I had stocked up on jelly, custard, soup, mashed potatoes, all soft foods that were easy to eat. He had it done on the Monday, the Thursday was the worst day although it still wasn't that bad according to him, and he was more or less over it by the weekend.

I suppose we were lucky he got through it so easily but I did take very good care of him with foods, fluids and meds etc, hoping you get through it just as easily too. If I can help in any way, just shout!

 

[mousey]

I had them out about 2 years ago. It was pretty awful (sorry!). I had a bad reaction to the anesthesia and my bp dropped to 60 over 30, and stayed there for 2 days, which was not nice. The pain was not too bad for the first few days, and then became hideous about day 3, and then terrible again about day 6. But the worst thing- I developed an allergy to something (most likely the anti biotic- amoxycillin), developed the worst rash known to man (honestly I did nt know such a rash was possible, we are talking weird blisters on my hands, and after the rash went my skin fell off- ugh!). But I will say with me it started to get better at day 10, and by day 14 I was almost back to normal.
Make sure you have food that you can eat- scrambled eggs worked for me. People say ice cream and jello are good, but I could nt hack anything sweet, salty, or cold. Try and drink as much water as possible. At around day 7, this stuff starts coming off the wounds, and then it is best (or at least this is what my Mom said) to try and eat some toast.
Also, do you know what painkillers work for you? It took a couple of days to get my painkillers right- the first ones made me feel really woozy, and on top of the low bp this was not good. I think the ones that worked for me were called diphene (or something like that). I could nt swallow them, so I had o take them as suppositories (nice!).

I have heard that some people just bounce back. I must say though, I would not have been able to mind anyone while going through the above. But it is poss that I had a particularly bad time of it. You prob won t feel sick/tired etc. But you will be in pain.

On a positive note- when all the healing is done, you will feel like a new woman. I went from getting sick all the time, to not even having a cold in the last few years.

By the way, get ready to snore. I woke myself up, it was so loud. Poor boyfriend was scared to leave me, but got no sleep for around three nights. I guess its the swelling from the op.


Good luck. I ll keep an eye on this thread in case I can help w anything... I hope you are one of the lucky bouncey back ones.

 

[packrat]

PT, oh wow, I wish we had something like that around here!

Marian, I definitely will, thank you.

Lorelei, I hope it goes as smoothly as your husbands did! Expect the worst, hope for the best I suppose!

Mousey, ick that sounds like it was a nightmare for you! I'm not allergic to anything, and I don't like taking painkillers other than Tylenol. I took Darvocet in the hospital w/the kids I think. When I had my hernia fixed, I was given something different to take home. I'm pretty sure I took 1/2 the dose b/c I didn't know how I would react and I didn't like it so Dr. called Darvocet in for me. They were big ole horse pills tho so I doubt I'd be able to swallow them..have to crush them in jelly like mom did to pills when I was a kid-ha!

Thanks for the continued support guys!

 

[mousey]

I guess you should ask for darvocet then. Its good you know what works for you! Maybe you could get them as suppositories.