Big Sister's Big Surgery

Big Sister used to have BIG tonsils.

They gave her lots of sore throats and sinus problems and ear infections, among other ailments.

But as of today, they are gone (the tonsils, not the ailments. But hopefully they took those other menaces with them, too!)

After Little Sister's surgery a few weeks ago, I was better prepared for this one. I knew how long the waits might be. I knew how many people were going to be in and out of our little room, asking the same questions over and over. I knew how it felt to leave your drowsy kid in the pre-op room, in the hands of a few people you barely know but somehow have to trust. And I knew how some kids, Little Sister included, come out of anesthesia in an agitated, angry state.

I was prepared for the worst with regards to that last one, since Big Sister has been way more aggressive and agitated than Little Sis lately.

But instead, she woke up like a little angel.

She opened her eyes and almost smiled at the recovery nurse. When asked if her throat hurt, she sweetly answered, "No, I'm just a little sleepy." The nurse told her that she was waking up like a very big girl (and later told me this was very unusual for her age). When I came into recovery, I was so surprised and proud at how wonderfully sweet she was that my eyes welled up with tears.

She had popsicles and gatorade and watched Penguins of Madagascar on Nick. She laid down but could never quite fall back asleep. I gave her some new books, including a Barbie Fairytopia sticker & storybook. I read the first few pages (which were horrible, by the way, but she is sick so I'll let the literary massacre slide) to her when it was time to take out her IV, which she watched with intent (though drugged) curiosity. When it was finished, she looked over at my chair, spotted the book and said, "A Barbie book! Is that mine?! Will you read it to me?!" I could not convince her that she had already seen it, or that I had already read some of it to her. She just smiled a goofy, drowsy smile at me, like I was trying to pull one over on her. It still makes me laugh.

When we got home, she was a little (a lot) more whiney and uncomfortable. I think the newness of the things at the hospital kept it all at bay, but at home she realized the full extent of what she was feeling. She had expected to come home ready to jump and run and play, feeling better because the dreaded tonsils were gone. She does not quite understand "recovery time."

Still, the doctor said she did extremely well, and her recovery should be smooth...if we can keep her still!

And if I can survive one more reading of the terrible Barbie book... I think I'll be heading to the used bookstore this week!

Feel better soon, Big Sis!