Advice on Preparing for Tonsillectomy?

[Guest guest]

Hi Leanne,

My daughter is scheduled to have her tonsillectomy on January

8th at Children's. She's not seeing Dr. Licamelli, but Dr. Volk.

She's 10 1/2 so I'm sure our experience will be different from

yours, but I can let you know what I find out after we get through

it all. She's scheduled for her preop visit this Friday the 5th and

hopefully the cough she's had for three weeks will be gone by then

so we can go through with the surgery. I know her surgery will be

scheduled for later in the day than your son's since she's older and

will probably stay overnight also (I hope so!).

On another note - I remember reading something from Fran in advice

on preparing for the surgery to get them drinking A LOT in the few

days BEFORE the surgery to get them well hydrated going in. Does

anyone have any other advice on what to do before hand, what to

stock up on (popsicles, jello, juice?)? Also, is it better to

alternate tylenol with codeine with regular tylenol to help with

constipation or just use the tylenol with codeine? Any other

suggestions on getting through all this?

Armstrong

Mom to (10 1/2 ) and Alec (14)

Mansfield, MA

> Hello everyone -

>

> I don't check in with the group very often anymore but wanted to

share our success once again with the Tonsillectomy.

>

> We saw two specialists after our son suffered with for five

years...one at Children's Memorial and one at University of Chicago.

One physician told us to ignore any research we may find on

tonsillectomy being a cure for and the other physician was

much more optimistic and open to the idea.

>

> Additionally, our ENT was fantastic and went ahead and did her own

research to find whether it would be worthwhile to undergo the

tonsillectomy. She said the results were favorable and we decided to

pursue it....what did we have to lose?

>

> I'm so happy to say that it's been one year and two months since

the surgery and our son has only had ONE fever. It has been life

altering....a miracle.

>

> Please, please do your own research and consider this!!! For five

years, every month, our son suffered for three full days with a

fever that spiked to 104 - 105 without Motrin. He was miserable.

>

> If you anyone would like to discuss this with us, please feel free

to contact us at any time.

>

> Sincerely,

> The Chiavola family

>

>

[Guest guest]

Not only did my son have his tonsils out but my daughter had her out when she

was 23 yrs old. It took her about a month to recover. But they say it harder

the older you get. My niece had hers out when she was 9 and she did really

well. It is just really important not to let the pain medicine wear off because

that is when they stop drinking. It had been about a week after Cade's surgery

and I thought I could get by with not giving him the hydrocodene and that was a

big mistake. He was hurting really bad and it took a while for the medication

to start working really good like it was when he was on a regular schedule with

it.

After Cade's surgery the doctor told me that Cade had really bad tonsils.

Craters with infection in them. I ask him why that infection did not show up in

the blood work and he told me sometimes it is hard to detect.

Leanne

l_arms27 <lbarmstrong@...> wrote:

Hi Leanne,

My daughter is scheduled to have her tonsillectomy on January

8th at Children's. She's not seeing Dr. Licamelli, but Dr. Volk.

She's 10 1/2 so I'm sure our experience will be different from

yours, but I can let you know what I find out after we get through

it all. She's scheduled for her preop visit this Friday the 5th and

hopefully the cough she's had for three weeks will be gone by then

so we can go through with the surgery. I know her surgery will be

scheduled for later in the day than your son's since she's older and

will probably stay overnight also (I hope so!).

On another note - I remember reading something from Fran in advice

on preparing for the surgery to get them drinking A LOT in the few

days BEFORE the surgery to get them well hydrated going in. Does

anyone have any other advice on what to do before hand, what to

stock up on (popsicles, jello, juice?)? Also, is it better to

alternate tylenol with codeine with regular tylenol to help with

constipation or just use the tylenol with codeine? Any other

suggestions on getting through all this?

Armstrong

Mom to (10 1/2 ) and Alec (14)

Mansfield, MA

> Hello everyone -

>

> I don't check in with the group very often anymore but wanted to

share our success once again with the Tonsillectomy.

>

> We saw two specialists after our son suffered with for five

years...one at Children's Memorial and one at University of Chicago.

One physician told us to ignore any research we may find on

tonsillectomy being a cure for and the other physician was

much more optimistic and open to the idea.

>

> Additionally, our ENT was fantastic and went ahead and did her own

research to find whether it would be worthwhile to undergo the

tonsillectomy. She said the results were favorable and we decided to

pursue it....what did we have to lose?

>

> I'm so happy to say that it's been one year and two months since

the surgery and our son has only had ONE fever. It has been life

altering....a miracle.

>

> Please, please do your own research and consider this!!! For five

years, every month, our son suffered for three full days with a

fever that spiked to 104 - 105 without Motrin. He was miserable.

>

> If you anyone would like to discuss this with us, please feel free

to contact us at any time.

>

> Sincerely,

> The Chiavola family

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Are they keeping overnight? Breana stayed overnight...Dr. Licamelli is

her ENT.

First I would have on hand for home plenty of PREFERRED liquids!!!! The worst

was when the scabs came! I thought we were over the worst once she scabbed!

UGH Keep up the meds!! and liquid!!!

On another note I noticed the comments that Dr. Licamelli is making about

and T & A's I just need to voice my opnion on some things and next time we see

him I will voice it to him also. I DO FEEL HE IS A GREAT DOC!! BUT Please keep

in mind His statements of 30 cases and only one continued to fever.......(BREANA

my daughter by the way). have yet to have long term research on this! It was

a short study, I spoke for a very long time with his research aid! He did

present this study back 1-2 years ago in Vegas at the ENT convention I requested

a copy and have yet to see one I would love to see it! I should also note

that BReana proberly has a genetic that has yet to be discovered by NIH(we get

treatment there)

Would I go thru it all over again?????? YES

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Breana was 3 years old at the time and

it did spread her fevers out for a little while. I Love Dr. Licamelli and his

willingness to help and he was very very careful most kids go home after T & A but

he kept Breana in overnight.......to be sure she responded OK! It sure helped

ease our minds!

mom to Breana 6

NorthShore

Advice on Preparing for Tonsillectomy?

Hi Leanne,

My daughter is scheduled to have her tonsillectomy on January

8th at Children's. She's not seeing Dr. Licamelli, but Dr. Volk.

She's 10 1/2 so I'm sure our experience will be different from

yours, but I can let you know what I find out after we get through

it all. She's scheduled for her preop visit this Friday the 5th and

hopefully the cough she's had for three weeks will be gone by then

so we can go through with the surgery. I know her surgery will be

scheduled for later in the day than your son's since she's older and

will probably stay overnight also (I hope so!).

On another note - I remember reading something from Fran in advice

on preparing for the surgery to get them drinking A LOT in the few

days BEFORE the surgery to get them well hydrated going in. Does

anyone have any other advice on what to do before hand, what to

stock up on (popsicles, jello, juice?)? Also, is it better to

alternate tylenol with codeine with regular tylenol to help with

constipation or just use the tylenol with codeine? Any other

suggestions on getting through all this?

Armstrong

Mom to (10 1/2 ) and Alec (14)

Mansfield, MA

> Hello everyone -

>

> I don't check in with the group very often anymore but wanted to

share our success once again with the Tonsillectomy.

>

> We saw two specialists after our son suffered with for five

years...one at Children's Memorial and one at University of Chicago.

One physician told us to ignore any research we may find on

tonsillectomy being a cure for and the other physician was

much more optimistic and open to the idea.

>

> Additionally, our ENT was fantastic and went ahead and did her own

research to find whether it would be worthwhile to undergo the

tonsillectomy. She said the results were favorable and we decided to

pursue it....what did we have to lose?

>

> I'm so happy to say that it's been one year and two months since

the surgery and our son has only had ONE fever. It has been life

altering....a miracle.

>

> Please, please do your own research and consider this!!! For five

years, every month, our son suffered for three full days with a

fever that spiked to 104 - 105 without Motrin. He was miserable.

>

> If you anyone would like to discuss this with us, please feel free

to contact us at any time.

>

> Sincerely,

> The Chiavola family

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

They'll have a room reserved for so they can keep her

overnight if they need/want to but I'm going to insist on it.

Especially since her surgery will be done later in the day since

she's considered " older and healthy " (but I won't know when until

Friday). Could be early afternoon and it should be fun keeping her

off food until then. Dad is taking her out to dinner Sunday night

with promises of a big chocolate cake at the 99! Nothing like

chocolate for my girl!

As for the tonsillectomy and the fevers and Dr. Licamelli's

comments -- 's tonsils are constantly enlarged, even between

fevers. That's the main reason we're doing the surgery. I

don't know if it will " cure " the fevers, but she has trouble

swallowing at times because the left tonsil is so large (3+ I think

and that was when she was well).

I have some liquid Tylenol on hand but I think I'll pick up some

more tomorrow along with lots of juice. I also saw a comment about

trying to get the prescriptions filled ahead of time or at least

having them before you go home and thought that's a great idea.

I'll see what I can do about that.

Thanks for the advice,

> > Hello everyone -

> >

> > I don't check in with the group very often anymore but wanted

to

> share our success once again with the Tonsillectomy.

> >

> > We saw two specialists after our son suffered with for

five

> years...one at Children's Memorial and one at University of

Chicago.

> One physician told us to ignore any research we may find on

> tonsillectomy being a cure for and the other physician was

> much more optimistic and open to the idea.

> >

> > Additionally, our ENT was fantastic and went ahead and did her

own

> research to find whether it would be worthwhile to undergo the

> tonsillectomy. She said the results were favorable and we

decided to

> pursue it....what did we have to lose?

> >

> > I'm so happy to say that it's been one year and two months

since

> the surgery and our son has only had ONE fever. It has been life

> altering....a miracle.

> >

> > Please, please do your own research and consider this!!! For

five

> years, every month, our son suffered for three full days with a

> fever that spiked to 104 - 105 without Motrin. He was miserable.

> >

> > If you anyone would like to discuss this with us, please feel

free

> to contact us at any time.

> >

> > Sincerely,

> > The Chiavola family

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Sorry Dawn, I meant to address this to you but missed your name on

the bottom of your message!

Armstrong

> > Hello everyone -

> >

> > I don't check in with the group very often anymore but wanted to

> share our success once again with the Tonsillectomy.

> >

> > We saw two specialists after our son suffered with for

five

> years...one at Children's Memorial and one at University of

Chicago.

> One physician told us to ignore any research we may find on

> tonsillectomy being a cure for and the other physician was

> much more optimistic and open to the idea.

> >

> > Additionally, our ENT was fantastic and went ahead and did her

own

> research to find whether it would be worthwhile to undergo the

> tonsillectomy. She said the results were favorable and we decided

to

> pursue it....what did we have to lose?

> >

> > I'm so happy to say that it's been one year and two months since

> the surgery and our son has only had ONE fever. It has been life

> altering....a miracle.

> >

> > Please, please do your own research and consider this!!! For

five

> years, every month, our son suffered for three full days with a

> fever that spiked to 104 - 105 without Motrin. He was miserable.

> >

> > If you anyone would like to discuss this with us, please feel

free

> to contact us at any time.

> >

> > Sincerely,

> > The Chiavola family

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hello,

My son is in the middle of his tonsillectomy recovery (he had his

adenoids out last year and his ENT said his tonsils looked fine at

the time, then he had 4 cases of strep in the past 3 months). He is

8, not officially diagnosed with , but his ENT suggested we

research it based on his history. He also has autism, tons of

allergies and food sensitivities and difficulty putting on weight.

One thing I have noticed is that he tends to get fevers when he puts

on weight. I wasn't sure if anyone has noticed anything like that.

Back to the topic, with all my son's allergies I stocked up on

homemade popcycles for him and tried to make ice chips (an ice

shaver or something like that might be a good idea). I also found

this nutritionally complete beverage by Neocate that is good for

kids with allergies. He can't eat dairy, so ice cream wasn't an

option. Luckily he liked the tropical fruit flavored one. I

started him drinking this before the surgery to try to up his

calories. In recovery, as soon as he woke up he was trying to yank

out his IV, and eventually succeeded. He kept asking to leave, so

it worked out better for us to get him to drink and get him out of

there asap. I used a syringe the first 4 days to squirt fluid in

his mouth to get him to drink. I am going to get him an enema today

to help with the constipation. They also suggested diluted gatorade

for the electrolytes, so I would get some of that too along with

juice, popcycles, oral syringes, jello, and ice cream if they can

eat that. It was really sad the first 2 days as he would wimper

each time I made him drink, but I think keeping the tonsils moist

helps reduce the pain. We have the communication difficulties, so

that makes things harder as we don't know how much he comprehends.

I just keep taking one day at a time and keep telling him he'll feel

better in x more days. We are in day 5 now.

Good luck!

Debbie

Mom to Tim (8) and Dylan (4)

SW Florida

>

>

> Hi Leanne,

>

> My daughter is scheduled to have her tonsillectomy on

January

> 8th at Children's. She's not seeing Dr. Licamelli, but Dr. Volk.

> She's 10 1/2 so I'm sure our experience will be different from

> yours, but I can let you know what I find out after we get through

> it all. She's scheduled for her preop visit this Friday the 5th

and

> hopefully the cough she's had for three weeks will be gone by then

> so we can go through with the surgery. I know her surgery will be

> scheduled for later in the day than your son's since she's older

and

> will probably stay overnight also (I hope so!).

>

> On another note - I remember reading something from Fran in advice

> on preparing for the surgery to get them drinking A LOT in the few

> days BEFORE the surgery to get them well hydrated going in. Does

> anyone have any other advice on what to do before hand, what to

> stock up on (popsicles, jello, juice?)? Also, is it better to

> alternate tylenol with codeine with regular tylenol to help with

> constipation or just use the tylenol with codeine? Any other

> suggestions on getting through all this?

>

> Armstrong

> Mom to (10 1/2 ) and Alec (14)

> Mansfield, MA

>

[Guest guest]

HI lisa,

Love that chocalate cake ate the 99!!!LOL

It is amazing how welll breana eats since her T & A! She was such a snorer etc

before the T & A!

We'll be thinking of you!

--

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " l_arms27 " <lbarmstrong@...>

Hi ,

They'll have a room reserved for so they can keep her

overnight if they need/want to but I'm going to insist on it.

Especially since her surgery will be done later in the day since

she's considered " older and healthy " (but I won't know when until

Friday). Could be early afternoon and it should be fun keeping her

off food until then. Dad is taking her out to dinner Sunday night

with promises of a big chocolate cake at the 99! Nothing like

chocolate for my girl!

As for the tonsillectomy and the fevers and Dr. Licamelli's

comments -- 's tonsils are constantly enlarged, even between

fevers. That's the main reason we're doing the surgery. I

don't know if it will " cure " the fevers, but she has trouble

swallowing at times because the left tonsil is so large (3+ I think

and that was when she was well).

I have some liquid Tylenol on hand but I think I'll pick up some

more tomorrow along with lots of juice. I also saw a comment about

trying to get the prescriptions filled ahead of time or at least

having them before you go home and thought that's a great idea.

I'll see what I can do about that.

Thanks for the advice,

> > Hello everyone -

> >

> > I don't check in with the group very often anymore but wanted

to

> share our success once again with the Tonsillectomy.

> >

> > We saw two specialists after our son suffered with for

five

> years...one at Children's Memorial and one at University of

Chicago.

> One physician told us to ignore any research we may find on

> tonsillectomy being a cure for and the other physician was

> much more optimistic and open to the idea.

> >

> > Additionally, our ENT was fantastic and went ahead and did her

own

> research to find whether it would be worthwhile to undergo the

> tonsillectomy. She said the results were favorable and we

decided to

> pursue it....what did we have to lose?

> >

> > I'm so happy to say that it's been one year and two months

since

> the surgery and our son has only had ONE fever. It has been life

> altering....a miracle.

> >

> > Please, please do your own research and consider this!!! For

five

> years, every month, our son suffered for three full days with a

> fever that spiked to 104 - 105 without Motrin. He was miserable.

> >

> > If you anyone would like to discuss this with us, please feel

free

> to contact us at any time.

> >

> > Sincerely,

> > The Chiavola family

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Watch out for day 7. I is really weird but the doctor told me day seven the

pain comes back and it did. It is the scabs. So keep him hydrated and give him

pain medication.

deb_umphries <dumphries@...> wrote: Hello,

My son is in the middle of his tonsillectomy recovery (he had his

adenoids out last year and his ENT said his tonsils looked fine at

the time, then he had 4 cases of strep in the past 3 months). He is

8, not officially diagnosed with , but his ENT suggested we

research it based on his history. He also has autism, tons of

allergies and food sensitivities and difficulty putting on weight.

One thing I have noticed is that he tends to get fevers when he puts

on weight. I wasn't sure if anyone has noticed anything like that.

Back to the topic, with all my son's allergies I stocked up on

homemade popcycles for him and tried to make ice chips (an ice

shaver or something like that might be a good idea). I also found

this nutritionally complete beverage by Neocate that is good for

kids with allergies. He can't eat dairy, so ice cream wasn't an

option. Luckily he liked the tropical fruit flavored one. I

started him drinking this before the surgery to try to up his

calories. In recovery, as soon as he woke up he was trying to yank

out his IV, and eventually succeeded. He kept asking to leave, so

it worked out better for us to get him to drink and get him out of

there asap. I used a syringe the first 4 days to squirt fluid in

his mouth to get him to drink. I am going to get him an enema today

to help with the constipation. They also suggested diluted gatorade

for the electrolytes, so I would get some of that too along with

juice, popcycles, oral syringes, jello, and ice cream if they can

eat that. It was really sad the first 2 days as he would wimper

each time I made him drink, but I think keeping the tonsils moist

helps reduce the pain. We have the communication difficulties, so

that makes things harder as we don't know how much he comprehends.

I just keep taking one day at a time and keep telling him he'll feel

better in x more days. We are in day 5 now.

Good luck!

Debbie

Mom to Tim (8) and Dylan (4)

SW Florida

>

>

> Hi Leanne,

>

> My daughter is scheduled to have her tonsillectomy on

January

> 8th at Children's. She's not seeing Dr. Licamelli, but Dr. Volk.

> She's 10 1/2 so I'm sure our experience will be different from

> yours, but I can let you know what I find out after we get through

> it all. She's scheduled for her preop visit this Friday the 5th

and

> hopefully the cough she's had for three weeks will be gone by then

> so we can go through with the surgery. I know her surgery will be

> scheduled for later in the day than your son's since she's older

and

> will probably stay overnight also (I hope so!).

>

> On another note - I remember reading something from Fran in advice

> on preparing for the surgery to get them drinking A LOT in the few

> days BEFORE the surgery to get them well hydrated going in. Does

> anyone have any other advice on what to do before hand, what to

> stock up on (popsicles, jello, juice?)? Also, is it better to

> alternate tylenol with codeine with regular tylenol to help with

> constipation or just use the tylenol with codeine? Any other

> suggestions on getting through all this?

>

> Armstrong

> Mom to (10 1/2 ) and Alec (14)

> Mansfield, MA

>

[Guest guest]

I remember seeing that in another post - I really appreciate the

warning as I would not have been prepared for that. I'm having

trouble getting him to let me look at his throat, so I'm trying very

hard to avoid anything that might scrape the scabs off.

Thanks!

Debbie

>

> Watch out for day 7. I is really weird but the doctor told me day

seven the pain comes back and it did. It is the scabs. So keep him

hydrated and give him pain medication.

>