We survived ds surgery!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
We survived ds surgery!
5
Fri, 07-13-2007 - 12:29pm

8yo AS ds has been cursed with ingrown toenails on both big toes. One was removed using a local anesthetic but it grew back pretty quickly. Ds flipped out when the doc tried to give him a shot to work on his toes again, so ds had to have the ingrown toenails removed under general anesthesia.

In order to have general anesthesia, though, ds had to have a health physical and lab work done. The lab had no numbing cream and wasn't exactly kid-friendly, but ds was fairly stoic (esp since I held onto him and blocked his face from the needle). They had to stick him twice since the first stick didn't draw blood.

Ds got a virus and cough a couple of days ago. The pediatrician gave us a clearance for surgery anyway. Then, ds woke up this a.m. and threw up a little. It was just clear fluids, and by the time we got to the hospital he was feeling a little better. The anesthesiologist wasn't thrilled by ds health presentation. He said the health risks were higher under these conditions, but we could decide whether we wanted to reschedule or not. The anesthesiologist did say it wasn't risky enough for him to forbid the surgery, and that the odds were in our favor, but he did want to be clear that the risks went up. Since we'd have to start all the health clearances again, get the surgery scheduled again, get ds psyched up again, be closer to school starting time with injured feet, etc., I voted to go ahead with surgery.

Ds was supposed to get gas to go to sleep before they put in his I.V. However, because of his health issues, they couldn't (high risk of breathing complications, and no IV available to get drugs into his system to treat him if necessary). DS had to have the IV first. They offered ds numbing medicined which he was happy about until we discovered it wasn't a topical but a shot to make the IV needle feel better! I had to hold onto him and block his view of the needle and IV, but he did surprisingly well. He did say "ow!" a lot, but he didn't fight us.

So, to avoid a needle stick in the doctor's office, ds has had multiple needle sticks in various other parts of his body. At least with ds being asleep, the podiatrist was able to go in deeper and get the toenail roots out to hopefully prevent regrowth, so we don't have to go through this again.

Of course ds wants to know what reward he gets for all of his bravery today. I haven't figured out how to answer that one yet 'cus although he DID do really well today, the whole reason we were there (and that we had to go to two health clearances and get labwork) was because of his initial meltdown in the podiatrists office. Am I rewarding the initial meltdown if I reward him today, or am I just recognizing his limitations and rewarding his current level of bravery?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
Fri, 07-13-2007 - 1:14pm

Wow, I would so reward him for his courage. Poor baby, what ordeals. Meltdowns are harder on them than us. And I don't personally think meltdowns should be punished, as that will not serve as any determent in the future. Meltdowns are from overwhelm, misunderstandings and can be excellant sources of information for where learning and support need to happen. But having them only means your ds is not in control, even though I am sure he wants to be.

Learning how to not have meltdowns is a long process for our kids. And I know my own son the needle-hater, who can be very prepared in advance for a needle stick and who always wants to be brave, may or may not be able to hang in there on any given needle event...

I don't think your ds should NOT get a reward because of earlier problems, JMHO. He did great in a very stressful day, whatever the reason there had to be a second day.

Sara

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Fri, 07-13-2007 - 3:07pm

I agree with Sarah, even if I had to have that kind of surgery, I would of been scared to death. Think of how it was like for him, being a child AND having AS.

Thats wonderful that since he was asleep the doc could go deeper. Hopefully he won't ever have to go thru this again. Yea!

Lainie

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Fri, 07-13-2007 - 5:03pm

Yeah, make a fuss of him.

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Fri, 07-13-2007 - 8:01pm

Okay, thanks everyone. Part of me wanted to do that, but I'm never sure if I'm rewarding past bad behavior. You're right, though, that he won't make that connection, and I want to reward today's good stuff. Thanks!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2004
Sat, 07-14-2007 - 9:09pm

I'm glad to hear that the surgery went well. I'm sure that both you and your ds are glad that it's over with. IMHO, I think he still deserves a reward for going through what he did. Heck, I think I would need general anesthesia for ingrown toenail removal! Both my dh and two of my brother and sisters have had that surgery done and it doesn't sound pleasant.

Amy~Natalie & Lily's mom