Hanna's Surgey

After a month long ear infection, 2 oral antibiotics and 2 antibiotic injections our pediatrician decided that Hanna should see an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. The ENT took one look at Hanna's tonsils/adenoids and told us they needed to come out. He told us that tonsils are measured on a scale of 1-4, with a 1 being nearly non-existent and a 4 being where the tonsils are touching each other. Hanna's tonsils were a 3. And her adenoids were blocking 75% of her air flow. We knew this surgery was the best thing for her, and although Hanna tried very hard to trust us and believe that it would be a good thing in the long run, she really did not want to have the surgery. Enter: Bribery.

We bought all kinds of juice and ice cream. She also picked out a new toy that she could take with her the morning of her surgery (the stuffed unicorn looking thing) as well as a toy that she got to open after the surgery was over (Hello Kitty Lego's). Finally, after much persuasion Hanna decided that even though she really did not want to have surgery and even though she was pretty scared, she was really tired of being sick. She made the very grown up and mature decision to have her tonsils removed so that she could start feeling better. I am so proud of her for realizing that in order to feel better in the long run, she would need to face her fears and endure an uncomfortable surgery. She was so brave! Here she is waiting for her surgery:

Here she is right after getting her IV. We were pretty nervous about that part, but she was a superstar. Not a single tear was shed. Seriously, she was so very brave!

The doctor was running behind schedule that morning, so we ended up having to wait several hours for them to actually take her back into surgery. After waiting very patiently, Hanna had had enough and her bravery and confidence started to run out. She kept asking us to please take her home. FINALLY, the nurse came and said they were ready for her and they wheeled her back into surgery. As much as I knew we were doing the right thing and as much as I trusted the doctor and nurses, one of the hardest things I have ever had to do as a mom was to kiss my baby girl and watch them wheel her away from me. My heart broke. I am such a wimpy mom. The surgery took about 30 minutes and soon, those sweet nurses were rolling her back to me. Hanna had a rather hard time coming out of the anesthesia and really, really just wanted to go home. Poor girl, she had been so brave and been through so much that I really couldn't blame her. However, she had to show that she could eat and drink before they would discharge her. Finally, after A LOT of coaxing and pleading and reasoning with her (and a little bit of Demerol), she finally relaxed enough to eat half a Popsicle and drink some apple juice. That was good enough for the nurses and after 9 hours in the hospital, she was discharged. Here she is calmed down and resting once the Demerol kicked in:

And eating that Popsicle. I never thought I would see the day when I would beg her to eat a Popsicle!

Her recovery was fairly uneventful. As long as we kept her on medicine for the pain, she did just fine. The day was not without its stress, that's for sure. Did I mention that David had just gotten home from a week long training in Denver the night before? Or that on the day of her surgery we had a major blizzard that brought about 2 feet of snow? No? Well, that all just added to the fun, I suppose. I never cease to be amazed by the wonderful, amazing children that I have been blessed with. Hanny, you are amazing!!