2 Days Post Tonsillectomy

Elise seems to be doing really well. The doctor and everyone warned us that the pain would get worse for about three days and then start to subside. So far I haven't noticed it getting worse at all. Immediately after surgery, when she was laying in my arms and crying, was the worst moment I think. She does have a few times a day, probably when her meds are starting to wear off, that she will complain a little, but not like I expected. Last night when she was having one of those moments it was right before bed and she was brushing her teeth. We were both standing in front of the mirror and she was crying a bit. She said, "Why did he do this to me??" Oh, it was so sad! So I gently explained to her that breathing was really important and we'd like her to breath better at night.

The photos were taken yesterday, the day after surgery. Shawn took a nap for the first time in forever. He actually fell asleep sitting up in a chair in the kitchen while eating a popsicle. Too funny! Elise wanted me to lay him down with her. So cute . . . until she starting kicking him in the head. He then was moved and able to take a peaceful nap on the other couch.

Day After T-Day

We all awoke to Elise's screaming and coughing this morning at about 5:55am. She was complaining that she had swallowed a piece of hair and couldn't get it out. Mark came and checked it out with a flashlight and then had to explain to her that her throat is just going to feel really different for a few days. No hair in her throat, just a scab trying to form where her tonsils once were. Of course Mark added, "You won't ever have to go through this again. Just hang in there for a few days."

For patients who have had a tonsillectomy they recommend that you sleep with your head elevated. A six year old is not going to stick to that throughout the night so the doctor suggested that one of us sleep in her room the first couple of nights to keep an eye on her. I tried last night but her snoring was so obnoxious I just couldn't relax. Poor kid! I do hope we see that calm down soon or I will be very depressed.

Mark headed back to work today so it's just me with the two kids today. We'll be fine. I told Mark yesterday that the worst that will happen is that the kids will both watch 8 hours of TV today.

Yesterday we read an e-mail from Poh & B (her grandparents who are off at sea right now on a scientific voyage) and they suggested she draw a picture of her experience to show them when they return. Not only did she draw a picture, she has now illustrated the entire course of events . . . waiting in the waiting room, sitting with Mom & Dad when the nurses and doctors came to talk to us, changing her clothes in the bathroom, and my favorite, the parts I wasn't there for, being put to sleep and waking up in a different room. She just used up the last piece of her drawing paper so I'll have to go find her something else to use. And maybe later we'll put it together in chronological order and make it a book.

T-Day

I haven't blogged in months. Today's as good a day as any (or maybe a better day than any) to pick it up again. But not better as in, "Woohoo! Excitement! Happiness! Thrilling event!" Today Elise had her tonsillectomy. She's been looking forward to this day for weeks. Over the past few days she's even been playing hospital and acting out being sick. She's taught her brother everything she knew about having tonsils removed. After today she'll have a few more things to teach him.

The surgery center actually called us this morning just moments after she was out of bed and asked if we could come in early. So we were off and running. Shawn got to go play with Grama this morning so Mark and I could both attend the surgery. The first part was boring . . . signing paperwork, paying, etc. Then they took us back and Elise got to put on hospital pajamas. Not just a gown. There were cute little scrub-type pants that matched. She even got little booties and a lovely blue shower cap to wear. Then she got to sit in this huge recliner chair while one nurse, then the doctor, then the anesthesiologist than another nurse came and talked to her. I was really surprised though when we didn't get to stay with her while she was put under. The nurse just said, "Okay come with me," and she led Elise off without us getting to say, "Good-bye," or give her a hug. Well it went very quickly and soon the doctor was out in the waiting room calling us back. Everything went well he said. She did have huge tonsils and he's sure we'll see an improvement with her snoring at night. Just another quick wait in the waiting room and we were escorted back to see her. She was already awake and asking for us. My poor little bug was trudging along with two nurses and an IV pole. She just wanted to curl up in my lap and the first thing she said was, "It hurts really bad!" Then for the next 45 minutes she just dosed in and out of conciseness, coming to when she felt like she was going to throw up and after no success with that, she'd go back to sleep.

We are back home way ahead of schedule and she's sleeping again. The odd thing is, she's snoring really well! Hmmm . . . Mark says it's just from the swelling after surgery. I think I might need to get a flashlight and look in there to make sure they're really gone. :)

Now the challenge is keeping her pain level down and her body well hydrated. Our kitchen is well armed with Strawberry Quick, green Gatorade, Chrystal Light, Popsicles, jell-o, and juice. Hopefully there is something in there that will appeal to her enough to keep her out of a hydration clinic. The doctor's challenge to her at her pre-op appointment last week was to keep her urine clear. Prior to surgery she was paying attention to this. We'll see later today if she even cares about her clear pee as much as she did yesterday.

Thanks for the prayers and well wishes from everyone!

Blessedness

I just read the greatest thing in my Bible study for Hearts at Home. The lesson is on The Road to Blessedness. Even though I rarely go back and reread studies from the past or look at any notes I've ever taken in a sermon, I think this is a quote I will write down and read often. "We all should learn to notice, drink in, and appreciate moments of blessedness. Then, we should talk about them and celebrate them. In a world filled with bad news, let's learn to rejoice in the great moments of blessedness and delight that take many shapes and forms." I love it! It inspires me to ask my family at dinner, "When did you feel great today?" "Did you have a chance to help someone else today?" "Tell me about a really fun thing that happened at school!" I know I am blessed an insane amount in my life. There are even times when I realize the blessing in the moment. There are times that the kids are laughing their heads off with joy and I try to take a mental picture and say a quick, "Thank you God for putting this moment in my life!" But right at this moment, after reading these words this afternoon, I feel excited to take more notice of those blessings. I want to say, "Thanks God!" more often in my day. I want my kids to learn to recognize moments of blessedness too. In so doing, they will learn that GOD IS GOOD and HE LOVES US!

Giant Tomatoes Take Over Salem

The city is all in a frenzy over the giant tomatoes that have invaded. Eye witnesses in South Salem say the tomatoes are larger than a VW Bug. No one knows quite what has happened here, but everyone has their own theory. Elise M. says, "They just grew and they grew and they grew!" "Steroids," was one more neighbor's explanation. Another witness simply screamed, "Noooooo!" and ran away in fear. So far the tomatoes don't seem to be causing any chaos. Residents here say that if the tomatoes prove to be "just tomatoes," they will have a record breaking batch of salsa!

Elise's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Today was Elise's first day of kindergarten. I am way more excited than sad so it's a good day. On her first day of preschool I cried in the car a little bit on the way to drop her off. But this year I am just so excited to see her growing up and becoming more independent. I didn't cry at all when I dropped her off. She quickly busied herself with an activity soon after we got in to the classroom. She was totally fine without me. I'm sure she was thinking, "Gee Mom, would you hurry up and say hello to the teacher then LEAVE!" A funny side note . . . I asked her, "What would you like for lunch today since it's your first day of school? You get to choose." Out of the blue she replied with, "Raspberry pancakes!" Until today, I'm not sure I've ever made raspberry pancakes and if it ever did happen, I'm sure it wasn't for lunch.

He's Asleep!

Today was our trial run for our new fall schedule. After a lot of thought, we decided to put Elise in to afternoon kindergarten. My HOPE was that Shawn would be able to nap right after we get back from taking her to school and then I would be able to use that time to work. Well, over the past few weeks, Shawn has decided that taking regular naps is no longer fun. He would much rather terrorize the house and fly off furniture and build bouncy houses out of the couch cushions. Gone are the days where he would run in to his room and climb into bed on his own. Right when it was time to start adjusting his nap schedule to be a little earlier in order to fit the kindergarten schedule, he decided to not nap at all. After a long weekend with Mark home, I'm back on my own today and it's time to get serious!! So we took Elise to school this afternoon (not technically her first day of school. There is some sort of testing they do but it's the same time she would normally be in school.) After we got back home we grabbed the dog and went for a bit longer walk . . . you know . . . to get him nice and sleepy. . . . mmmmm . . . didn't work. So we came back home and I thought I'd lay down with him for just a little bit (you'd think I'd learn that I can't just lay down with him for a little bit. It's all or nothing.) But finally after two baby gates stacked on top of each other in his doorway, about 45 minutes of crying, and one trip to the bathroom, he finally fell asleep!!! Yeah! When he does manage to nap it's a good two hours. He's only got one hour today though before we need to turn around and go get Sister. But he's ASLEEP! I did it! I feel like I accomplished something great! Thank you Jamie D. for the extra baby gate! I feel like the parent again.