Day 3 post tonsils...

and OH BOY, has the grumpiness begun!

I'm sure it's a combination of pain, boredom, and hunger for real food, but this afternoon Nicole was having a hard time.....clingy, crying unless mom or dad were with her on the couch, and the most bizarre "angry" behavior if she wasn't getting what she wanted....throwing stuff and hitting with her pillow...I made it clear pretty quick that it didn't matter what was going on, that wasn't acceptable. She has never acted like that. Maybe she's having an odd side-effect from the anesthesia....3 days later?!

I went to Wal-Mart tonight....it was kind-of nice to just wander and get some down-time. But then I remembered I was at Wal-Mart...how sad to go there for "enjoyment"!

Hopefully tomorrow will be better, but they did warn that days 3-7 can be the worst.

Cross your fingers for me ! :)

T&A Day!

Hooray! It's done, over, finito, accomplished! And it went so well! :) We arrived at the hospital at 7:20 AM. Nicole was nervous, but was so brave. She cooperated with all of the medical personnel, and they were so fantastic with her. There is nothing less fun than watching your kid be wheeled off to surgery, but I knew she was in good hands.

In less than an hour, they brought her to us in her recovery room. She wasn't a happy camper at that point. She was crying, scared, and her throat hurt...of course! She just wanted to go home. Things were a bit better after we got the Disney channel turned on, got a slushy for her, and a dose of tylenol with codeine. We waited our requisite hour in recovery, and then they took out her IV, gave us our discharge instructions, and we were home by 10:30 AM.

Nicole spent some time in our room watching some movies, but by this afternoon she was out with her siblings, playing Wii, and PBS Kids. She even asked if she could go ride her bike! Umm, nope, but I'm sure glad she feels good enough to want to. :) I was surprised that she didn't take a nap, or sleep at all during the day. I have been told that the worse days are 3-7, so I'm not counting myself in the clear yet. One of her sweet friends brought her a poster to color, and she's been having fun with that.

We're giving her the pain medication regularly, and giving her lots of drinks to keep her hydrated. She is happy with the popsicles, slushy's, ice cream, and pudding, but she is hungry for real food. Nothing that was a little more substantial that I was okay with her trying was approved by her though. Maybe tomorrow we'll get some real stuff in her.

The absolute best part of this is tonight, after she fell asleep. I went back to check on her, and she is sleeping so peacefully. No snoring, no constant moving to find a position her airway stays open in, no obstructing. She was so quiet I had to put my hand on her chest to make sure she was breathing! That hasn't been the case since she was about 1 1/2 years old. What a beautiful thing. My girl is going to get the sleep that she's been missing out on for years. That makes it all worth it, and makes me so happy! :)

A look at our day:

Just what you wanted to see....the before shot! No after shot yet, she's a little too sore to open wide enough for a picture. ;)

Waiting for her turn.

After....she just wanted to go home.... :*(

Grape slushy made life better...check out her "surgery buddy"doll that Child Life gave her. She got to color a face on it, and she even painted it's nails. She took it back with her to the OR, and when she came back, the doll had a pink hand bandage like Nicole, and a bandaid on it's neck! Nicole was pretty thrilled about the pink Coban, WITH HEARTS no less, covering her IV hand!

The fun wheelchair ride out the door. It's off to home we go! :)

So happy to be home playing some Mario Party 8!

Tomorrow!

Well, tomorrow is the day...Nicole's tonsillectomy.

We have our instructions and time to be at the hospital. Grandmommy is all set up to babysit, and Riley's ride to school is set as well.

Today I was out getting stocked up with popsicles, sprite, ramen noodles, and jello. We went to the little pediatric surgery orientation at the hospital today, and Nicole got to see all the rooms where she'll go, and some of the equipment that they'll use on her. She's a bit nervous, but I think seeing it today will help tomorrow's comfort level. Our home teacher came over tonight to help daddy give her a blessing. So, I think we are ready!

I know I'm ready to get those nasty things out, and especially to have her be able to sleep comfortably now....it seems like lately her obstructing and snoring is getting worse. Ellie will really enjoy having a quiet room-mate!

Once we get back tomorrow I'll post the outcome. Wish us luck, and send a little prayer her way if you are so inclined! :)