Aw He-ctomy

Five days after Patrick was released from the hospital we went to his pediatrician for a post-antibiotic deluge tonsil check. The upshot was that Patrick needed to stay inflammation free for about a month after which time his doctor would be willing to consider the severe bacterial infection more of a fluke and less of a trend. Patrick circled the day on the calendar.

Four and a half weeks later the pediatrician and I were peering into Patrick's mouth and tsk'ing over the scarlet and white masses that were on the verge of strangling his uvula.

"I agree," said his doctor, "his tonsils are enlarged again."

Patrick knows that his pediatrician said that he would give him one more shot with antibiotics to clear out those tonsils and after that he would probably need to get them taken out. That was even before he wound up in the hospital.

Patrick said, "OH NO!"

Patrick pointed out that it had been more than a month since he was sick the last time.

Patrick started to cry.

Despite all of these things his pediatrician called the ENT (the same one who treated Edward when he kept trying to drown himself in two ounces of milk. I really like her) and said he had a kid about whom he was worried. She agreed to squeeze Patrick in as soon as she could and today we saw her for a consult.

Actually, before we saw her I made three major directional errors (for those of you with a pop-up map of the Twin Cities in front of you, picture this: the appointment was in downtown Saint Paul and the mistakes I made forced me to make not one but two U-turns; one at the airport and one at the Mall of America. bear in mind that I approach Saint Paul from the east, which means I overshot things by about ten miles. yes. I know. I am an idiot.) Once we finally arrived at our appointment I discovered that I had gotten the time wrong and we were an entire hour early. Then I lost my parking ticket. Twice. When we returned at the actual appointment time after having lunch the receptionist asked "Are you checking in?"

Patrick said, "I have no idea what we are doing today. Going in circles mainly."

The ENT read over her notes from the pediatrician, listened to me explain what happened in the spring and early summer, and then took a look at Patrick's throat. 

It is always helpful when you show up with a handy visual, so the fact that Patrick is waltzing around like a dandelion seed in May despite his significantly inflamed tonsils made a nice counterpoint to his claim that he is Capital F-I-N-E Fiiiiiiiiiiine.

She said there is a clinical something something in which white blood cells simply cease to function in the presence of chronic infection. She said it appears that Patrick is playing host to a perpetual low-grade whatsit and that additional antibiotics would most likely be ineffective. She acknowledged that she has no crystal ball but in her considered opinion Patrick will continue to cycle through tonsillar infections of varying severity with the unlikely but possible risk of another hospital stay. She said she has seen several many dozen thousand tonsils and that she thinks Patrick will be healthier if his come out.

Patrick was sitting in the exam chair that looks a lot like a very old-fashioned dental ditto.

As she made her recommendation his eyes swam with tears, he gripped the seat arms and he said, brokenly, "This... this is not what we were hoping to hear."

I said, "Patrick, I... "

He waved one hand and dropped his face into the other. "I'll need a minute," he said.

Somewhere in the imaginary distance a violin held its plaintive note. 

I said, "Patrick, baby, I know it is a little scary right now but it will be ok. And I really don't want you getting so sick again. Neither do you."

The ENT told him exactly what she would do and how it would all go and feel. She admitted that he would have a very sore throat for a week. His major worry was the IV (god he hated that IV in June) and he was marginally reassured when she told him they would give him "goofy gas" (he liked this) and he would be unconscious when they put the IV in this time. Still, he wept as she talked.

He was mostly silent as she went through her description of the procedure and expected recovery times. When he did speak it was to make morbid observations, like, "But everyone at school will know I am not like them! I will walk among them... BUT I WILL HAVE NOOOOO TONSILLLLLSSS!"

At that point I stopped feeling quite so guilty because clearly he was enjoying himself on some level. When she asked if there was anything she said that had sounded confusing or especially scary he said, "I'm sorry but I haven't liked a single word you said since you walked in the room."

She was halfway out the door when she looked back at Patrick, still crying in the chair. She came over. She bent down.

She said, "Sweetie. When I was just about your age my parents decided not to have my tonsils taken out. And I missed every class trip. Every class party. My mom had to keep picking me up because I was sick again. And when I was seventeen I knew I wanted to go to college and I wanted to go to medical school and I knew that I could not keep missing school. So I had my tonsils out when I was seventeen and it... it was pretty hard because I was older and bigger. And when I went to med school I decided that no kid was going to go through what I went through. I really think that if we don't take your tonsils out now you are going to be sitting here when you are seventeen telling me you don't want to be sick anymore. And I don't want that. OK?"

Patrick stopped crying and said, "OK."

He is going in a week from Thursday. I feel bad for the poor little pumpkin but I believe that he is being worn down by battling a chronic infection and I am hopeful that his iron ability to disregard throat pain (to this day he has never ever once said his throat hurts) will serve him well.

Any tonsil experience to share? We (and by we I mean everyone I know - I just asked) have never had our tonsils out and are unsure how it will be. I could also use some recovery time help, namely: book suggestions (let's say ages 7 to 11 range?) movie suggestions (Patrick loves Tom & Jerry right now. also this is probably weird but Patrick has never watched a non-animated film. I think he is probably due although he prefers the sweet security of Pixar) and sit around on the floor while your throat hurts suggestions (my brother sent K'nex for his birthday. wow! highly recommended with the caveat that they are NOT for kids who are not pretty savvy with spatial relations. I literally could not follow the diagrams and I am 37 - of course I get lost when I drive to a hospital I have only been to like twenty times.) Oh and food! What sounds good when your throat hurts?

Hey, can you tell I am sort of stressed about this? I mean, look at him driving his brother around. He's so full of life! And tonsils! (oh golly, you can see his weird swollen lymph thing even in this picture, can't you?)

 

And Caroline, just because.

PS And for you, Patrick likes to read lots of things: A-Z mysteries, Weird School, Weird Planet, the Littles, he just started the Warriors series, very abstruse astrophysics stuff but ignore that, Calvin & Hobbes of course... I am drawing a blank.

Comments

[Barbara]

Poor Patrick! I had my tonsils and adenoids out when I was 11 or 12. I was in the hospital overnight and threw up twice. I remember crying in the recovery room because my throat hurt something awful and the nurses would not let me have ice until they brought me to my room. However, as soon as they let my mother in the recovery room to see me, she made them give me some ice. I was out of school for two weeks, during which time I had nothing but Slurpees. I could not have ice cream because the ENT told my mother any milk products may cause mucus, which would in turn cause me to cough and rip the stitches. Juice and popsicles containing any kind of fruit juice burned my throat. I do remember getting a syrup that numbed my throat, but the ENT scared my mother by telling her that I could choke to death if I tried to drink or eat anything while my throat was numb. She only gave it to me once and watched me like a hawk until the numbness wore off.

As far as book recommendations, The Phantom Tollbooth as mentioned above is a good one, The Ralph Mouse series by Beverly Cleary, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Ronald Dahl. All of these books were also made into movies.

[beckyk]

Great tonsil advice already but I'll add in my two cents. Had mine out in my 20's and it was life changing. I was like your ENT until that point.

1. ditto on all the cold stuff - especially sorbets and italian ices. ice cream can potentially give a mucus build-up nobody wants.

2. ditto on the dry erase board. super fun.

3. my ENT said and I found that I was ok the first couple of days and then it hurt like blue blazes and then quieted down again so don't let Patrick get too excited at first.

4. Not to scare you, but in Germany, you stay in the hospital for your recovery after tonsils out because the risk of bleeding is actually quite high - especially if you get too active right away. So don't let him lug heavy stuff around the house (including twinks) in his boredom.

5. I did LOTS of crafts. Maybe you could set Patrick the task of making all your Christmas cards, ornaments and hand-stamped wrapping paper. Tee hee.

By the way, I LOVE Patrick stories. They always get repeated to my husband. Patrick CRACKS. ME. UP.

All the best!
Becky

[Jennifer]

My seven year old is addicted to Home Alone (all four of them) at the moment on the movie front - he is someone who does love to laugh at slapstick involving people (only the bad guys) being hurt, though.

He also loves to read, but we're Australian so tend to get British books - you may not get all of these.
- the whole Horrible Histories series (they may be British, we're in Australia), plus Horrible Geography and Murderous Maths

On fiction - he is mostly into spy fiction. Warning, some of this stuff is aimed at early teenagers (no sex but a bit of violence), but Patrick may like it anyway - Artemis Fowl, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III (a great series that is excellent read aloud), Alex Rider, Zac Power, Matilda Mudpuddle, Geronimo Stilton, Jack Stalwart, Invisible City, the 39 Clues ( a series that is threatening to last a long long time).

I'm sure you've seen half of this already, but its always fun recommending books!

He got his tonsils out at the age of four, and the biggest shock for me was that he didn't snore any more - so I kept wondering whether he was breathing when he went to sleep. He felt pretty sorry for himself for a couple of days, but it didn't last long.

[Jude]

Eva Ibbotson: The Great Ghost Caper; Which Witch?(one of my all-time faves); well anything by her really. Can you get those in America? If not do say - parcels easily sent...

[Lisa O.]

Remember, the "woe is me" thing is SO seven. And your ENT rocks.

RE: movies: sometimes my daughter and I just lie around with my laptop and watch trailers on iTunes. Maybe do that and let him decide what he wants to see - make it special, he can have a big ole list going ...

[Rachel]

My daughter just had her tonsils out and despite all the comments about icecream, her doctor's first food instructions were: a sandwich. Toast if she'll eat it. Scratchy hard foods are actually really good for cleaning up the gunk apparently. She ate everything quite happily despite a sore throat for about a week. The advice here is two solid weeks before they are back to normal, and IME (daughter and niece), that was about right before they were 100%. For books, my totally obvious suggestion is Harry Potter? My six year has just started and loves them.

[katie]

I think he'd love Matilda (and other Roald Dahl books, but I'm thinking of the film)

[Jo in Boston]

If he likes Warriors there are enough of them to keep him busy for a while--there are some Manga ones too if he likes those. Also, The Guardians of Gahoole series which is Warriors with owls instead of cats. Percy Jackson series is wonderful. Has he seen the Miyazaki movies--Totoro, Spirited Away, etc.? James and the Giant Peach is partly animated.

[Carie]

I had no problems with my tonsils until I reached the ripe old age of 18 at which point I had almost permanent tonilitis for the second term of university and after I missed a long awaited (and hard earned) sailing trip the tonsils had to go.

I had a pretty sore throat for about a week, worse in the morning when I woke up because I hadn't been speaking/eating all night. I remmeber getting some fairly hefty doses of painkillers but the more I was talking the less it hurt and (what seemed bizarre at the time), crunchy nut cornflakes for breakfast.

I was in overnight for the surgery and spent the next day reclining on the sofa but after that I was pretty much back to normal activities. I was a university student in the holidays though!

I don't know how many British authors are available in the US but for books try Arthur Ransome's Swallows & Amazons series or any of the Horrible Histories.

Good Luck!

[Lee]

My friend's son had his tonsils out and all she could talk about was his awful breath...I'll be curious to see if this happens to Patrick, too!

[sinda]

Two neighbors had theirs out at Christmas a few years ago - one was totally fine, and the other didn't do well with the anesthesia and/or painkillers - it took her while to get her appetite back and get rid of the nausea. On the plus side, going into the ER on Christmas day garnered her a XMAS Barbie, so she thinks she came out ahead.

Those Warrior books last FOREVER. There are so many of them...

Keep us posted, I'll be thinking of you guys.

[Alison]

I don't know if these would even be findable anymore but the Adventure series by WIllard Price. African Adventure, South Sea Adventure etc etc. I LOVED 'em as a kid.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventure_Series_%28Willard_Price%29

[Susie]

I got mine out about two years ago at age 23. I ate normal food (I actually got the out two days before thanksgiving) immediately, it just took FOREVER to chew. Ice cream and cold milk cause mucus build up that is hard to clear - coughing and throat clearing are next to impossible because of swelling. My staple was slightly overcook kraft mac and cheese.

Other than that, stay on top of the pain killers, especially as he seems to get better - I got a terrible days long headache the ENT warned me about which was way worse than the throat pain. The latter ... Is severe, but only terrible when talking or swallowing certain stuff. The swelling was much worse than the pain itself for me. It took a week for the really hateful part to subside, and then another week to be back to normal - hopefully faster for a seven year old!

[Kristina]

The Tintin and Bones graphic novels might make fun reading, and he's just the right age for Dahl, although I seem to remember that Patrick has or had an aversion to fiction? If not, Swallows and Amazons might appeal to his outdoorsmanship. Oh, and Artemis Fowl, as well.

As for live-action movies, Flight of the Navigator and E.T. would both be good choices.

[Kristin]

When my sister got her tonsils out, the Challenger exploded during her recovery. I really don't think this will happen during Patrick's recovery, but you never know what they'll show on TV when you're lying on the couch for a few days...

I'm assuming you'll need to give him non-dairy food that goes down easy. Think sherbet, jello, and, um, I can't think of another suggestions... Applesauce!

[Cheri]

I second The Westing Game suggestion. Also, the Encyclopedia Brown books and I loved The Three Investigators (especially the early ones in the series) when I was about Patrick's age but they might be hard to find.
Also, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

For TV, Pinky and the Brain is a lot like Tom & Jerry but more sophisticated.

Love your blog and I wish Patrick a speedy recovery.

[AR]

I don't know what age the Blue Balliett books are for, but they're wonderful mysteries. They're more art-based, but very...analytical, almost. Loved loved loved the Wright 3.

[Lisa]

Geronimo Stilton! Not an exclamation (although it would be a good one), but a book recommendation. Intelligent and funny, great for his age and fun pics.

Now I am off - GERONIMO STILTON!!!

[karen]

Books: "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Toulane" by Kate DiCamillo (and also "The Tale of Despereaux" by her), Encyclopedia Brown, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory....

Movies: "The Princess Bride" is awesome. My kids really like classics like "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Singing in the Rain," but they might be weird.

[Daisy]

I had my tonsils out two days after I turned 18. I would not wish that experience on anyone. My Mom went to a nearby smoothie shop (I think it was Jamba Juice but who knows?) and ordered 5 smoothies (none of which had fruit with seeds which can get stuck in throat-scabs, so, uh, avoid strawberries, kiwis & raspberries) that had no dairy in them (dairy increases mucous production which can upset your throat and/or stomach) and stuck them in the freezer. Then she'd just scoop out some of the slushie for me and I just kind of lived on that for awhile. Until I got sick of it and my Mom caught me throwing a grilled chicken breast and a cup of bbq sauce in the blender, but I suppose thats a story for another time.

[Kristin]

My daycare provider and her 5 year old son both had their tonsils out the same week due to problems similar to what you've described with Patrick. Her recovery as a 30 something year old woman was horrific. It took about 3 weeks and involved lots of pain and trips to the emergency room. Her 5 year old was fully recovered in about four days, with no problems.

Everything I've heard about tonsils reiterates what the ENT said--the younger you are when you have them out, the better the recovery. I know it's really, really scary for your kid to have surgery, but it will be better for him in the long run. Good luck and I know everything will go smoothly!

[Tonya]

My eight year old and I are reading the Thief Lord by Corniel Funke, and we are loving it. It's about some orphans in Venice.

[Sarah]

Someone else mentioned not wanting to read right after, so you might want to check out audio books. They cost and arm and a leg, but our library has lots of them - two formats: downloadable to the computer, and in a mini walkman type thing.

Book suggestions: Narnia, the first 3 "Young Wizards" by Diane Duane.
Winnie the Pooh (and the poems by A.A. Milne - When we were very young, Now we are six)

Math workbooks - my parents used to get us two grades ahead as a great treat in the summer (i.e. summer before grade 2, buy grade 3/4 books)

Best wishes for a quick recovery.

[Helen]

The Great Brain series by John D. Fitzgerald.

My mother would not get my tonsils out, and now as an adult, I wish she had! My husband had them out when he was 20, and he said that was tough, so that dampens my enthusiasm somewhat. I survived complicated wisdom teeth surgery as a teen by lying in a dark room with a walkman and having my mother feed me demerol every 4 hours. And I think there were milkshakes. One could sneak some protein powder in there if one were concerned about nutrition. Does he like books on tape in case he's a little loopy for actual reading?

No non-animated movies...hmm. As a transition, what about The Wizard of Oz or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? As a bonus, if he's on any kind of pain medication, whoa mama.

[Erin]

I have three boys, 9 7 and 4.5. The 9 year old has been perfectly obsessed with the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan, the first of which is the Lightening Thief. The 7 year old has listened to the entire series on audio book and is equally entranced. They are perfect for boys, mixing Greek mythology with unceasing tween-age adventure. The main characters are the half-mortal children of Greek gods who live in the current decade and must save the world from the eventual return of the Titans. Really fabulous. I mention the audio book option as being equally compelling in case Patrick is feeling unwell enough not to want to read.

Good luck!

[chris]

I have not had my own tonsils out but did have to care for my husband when he had his removed at the ripe old age of 33! He also had his adenoids removed and nasal surgery at the same time so his experience may be exponentially worse, but I always like to plan for the worst and then be pleasantly surprised.

Definitely have a white board or pad of paper and a pen handy for him to communicate with you. Also, he will want cold slippery things to numb the pain. Stock up on popsicles, jello, pudding, mashed potatoes, applesauce, etc. My husband drank a boatload of gatorade, but that is what he prefers when he is sick-always!

I wish you well, I have a feeling my little guy will be having his out in the not so distant future. Every time he is sick and sees a doc they say "My he has generous tonsils and a small mouth! Have you heard that before?"

[Megan]

Books: Second Narnia, Arthur Ransome (fantastic - Swallows and Amazons first and usually easiest to find. They're camping/sailing/nature/adventure books and superb), Lloyd Alexander etc. Also suggest Terry Pratchett's Wee Free Men (and if he likes it follow up with Hat Full of Sky and Wintersmith). If he likes fantasy the Septimus Heap books are pretty good. Oh! My Side of the Mountain - absolute classic and one I still go back to read now and then. Not sure about his level and preference but Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series is excellent (start with Over Sea, Under Stone)l

[Laura]

Having your tonsils out is lame- I had mine out at 19 and really wish my parents had thought to do it earlier (like, say, during the 10 million times I had Strep and Tonsillitis). Oh well. Ice cream without chunks, pudding, jello... fruit... Whatever he wants, really, if it hurts- he'll stop eating it!
I always liked those older kids movies- Benji, That Darn Cat... There's a plot, and they're good to watch when you don't feel good.
Good luck!

[beyond]

Patrick will be fine.
In fact, he'll be better than ever. I used to bbsit a kid who was sick all the time. When he finally, finally had his tonsils removed (at 7-ish), he was like another kid, and by that I mean a happier, healthier, more wholesome version of his old self.
Lots of non-chunky ice cream, be careful with acidity, soups, lukewarm, room temp, and cold stuff, ice cubes to suck on. Your doctor will give you a list, I'm sure.

[Kathy]

I've appreciated all the comments in this post. I can't add anything now, but I'll let you know. My 4-year-old twins get their tonsils and adenoids out tomorrow morning!

[Gigi]

Star Wars!!! how can he be 7 and not have seen it yet?! he'll have fun even if it´s pointing out all the weird physics in the star wars universe.

[Emily]

What a great sounding ENT! Ok, here's what I have to share: Both I and my son had a very similar thing to Patrick, and the funny part is we both had our tonsils out, at the same age, by the same ENT, 30 years apart!
The deal is, the surgery is a day-surgery, and no real big deal. However, and here's the big but - what's the real pain in the keister is several days after the removal, when the sorry this gets a bit gross) scabs in the throat that formed slough off...that was the absolute worst part in my young memory, and in watching my son. All enticements of ice-cream, popsicles, etc. were futile. I felt like crap, and nothing in the world would make it better...except for a Barbie. For my son it was a Lego kit we needed to take a second mortgage out for. I kid, but you get the idea. The suddenly after about 24 hours of misery, it's perfectly back to normal. Minus, of course the infections and tonsils the size of small rancid grapefruit.

Ok, after that gory comment, I'm probably blocked from future comments, but know that I am wishing Patrick a speedy recovery, and you the fortitude to not overly stress about it. It will be so very worth it!

[KellyH]

Oh man- you should come here this weekend and go to the yearly book sale our local literacy association is having Saturday. It's called the Really Good, Really Big, Really Cheap Book Sale and you could get literally hundreds of books for Patrick for so so cheap. Anyway, does he like animals? One of my kids' (and mine) favorite movies is called Mist: The Story of a Sheepdog. It's live action, and tells the story of a Border Collie growing up and learning to herd sheep in England? Scotland? somewhere over there where there's dangerous cliffs and the ocean. I can never pass up an opportunity to recommend it. The Littles would like it too, if they like animals, just for the action.

[Baby]

How about some old-school Encyclopedia Brown?

You REALLY need to get Patrick to understand the importance of telling you if something hurts or he is not feeling well, even if he thinks it might lead to some treatment he won't like.

He not only could be putting his own life at risk (no lie! ruptured appendix, anyone?), but also the lives of those around him (from nasties like mutated H1swine1 flu).

[Gina]

Soft foods are a definite recommendation. I personally was a bit disappointed that the promised ice cream binge that would occur daily as part of my recovery didn't feel good. Warm, soft foods felt much, much, much better.

I felt robbed though.

For me, the hardest part was shaking off the anesthesia. Throat hurt quite a bit the first couple of days. Harder to speak at first. But the awesome benefit is that I almost NEVER get sore throats now.

Happy thoughts for Patrick.

[Brandee]

I also believe that Patrick will enjoy Star Wars.

We (and by we, I mean my tough little 4 year old) had our tonsils out last year. Even though my little girl is the bravest in the land, she was out of commission for several days. Maybe even more. Ice cream and popsicles helped. Beads to string, those fuse beads, and a new kitten helped.

We (and by we, I mean me) are big suckers.

[Barbara]

I have had my tonsils out. During my childhood, most children had their tonsils removed and it was sort of a rite of passage. That should give you a clue how old I am! Never mind. I think I was 10 years old, and my younger brother who was 5, and I shared a hospital room because he had his out at the same time. I remember that the hours immediately after waking from surgery as pretty awful only because ether was used as general anesthesia in those days and it made you vomit. Patrick should be spared that, because they have much better anesthetic agents now, as well as anti-nausea drugs. I remember that it really hurt to swallow for a day or two. Pain relief is probably better these days too. I think Patrick will bounce right back from the procedure, just as my little brother and I did. My guess is that it may actually be harder on you than on him!

[Mrs. Sprinkles]

Just FYI: after his tonsils are removed his breath will smell AWFUL for a few days. This is normal.

Also, forget what you've heard about only letting the kids eat ice cream. Let him eat whatever he wants--he'll know if it's too painful.

Oh, and if you have someone to help with the twins while you tend to Patrick that would be helpful. My 3-year-old had his tonsils removed and all he wanted to do afterward was snuggle with me.

[Kristina]

I feel for you and Patrick! We had my daughter's tonsils and adenoids out when she was three. Her tonsils were so large they were actually restricting her airway when she slept and caused her to have sleep apnea. She's only had strep throat once but the apnea was enough to warrant the double 'ectomy. For her we did the tylenol/motrin every 3 hour combo platter. That seems to keep her pretty comfortable most of the time. We also tried to supply her with popsicles, ice cream, yogurt and other soft foods. It took a good two weeks for her to fully recover. Towards the end she was on to us and would be like "Oh, my throat hurts, I think I need some ice cream! Yeah, that will make it feel better." Scam artist.

The scariest part for me was the "goofy gas." She was still young enough that I held her on my lap while they administered it and then she went limp in my arms. I was so scared she wasn't going to wake back up.

So, I guess for us it was all fine, no major problems, and I'm glad we had it done.

[yasmara]

Mary Poppins!

I had mine out at 19 after recurrent bouts of tonsillitis after having mono when I was 18. My brother had his out at age 8 or 9. He had it far easier. Both of us had it done as outpatients & both of us threw up the popsicle they gave us in recovery (not sure if it was a side effect of the anesthetic or swallowing blood during surgery).

I ended up being allergic to my antibiotic, so make sure he is prescribed something he's taken before.

The recovery instructions have changed a lot since my mom had hers out in the 1950s and probably since I had mine out in the 1990s too, but as others have already said, we were cautioned not to have too much dairy. My dr also said that sometimes the pain is actually worse if you're not drinking/swallowing (dry throat) so to try to push through the first few swallows and it may get better.

Best thing I ever did for my health - after spending my entire freshman year at college sick every few weeks, I rarely get bad colds anymore and can't remember the last time I had strep.

[jen]

The ENT said the perfect thing. My parents delayed having my tonsils taken out until I was in 4th grade. I would have much rather had them taken out when I was younger because I was sick all. the. time.

I wouldn't eat anything solid for about a week (but again, I was older than Patrick). I swallowed a lot of blood during the surgery (which is uncommon now due to the change in the procedure) and throwing up didn't help. I still tried to refuse to eat solids until my step mom said I couldn't go to the lake if I didn't eat a hamburger (this was after week two of eating nothing more than mashed potatoes and pudding). I ate the hamburger and was fine (honestly, I was just scared it would be painful).

I think Patrick will be great, particularly given his high threshold for throat ailments pain.

[Christine]

I am useless on the tonsil front except to say my sister had hers taken out and was just fine. Additionally at the same time she had a good chunk of her thyroid removed. Of all this I remember her being "extra whiny". I was thirteen. So yeah. BUT movie-wise, have you tried any of the Miyazakis. I have a soft spot for Totoro.

[MsCellania]

You may share with Patrick that I, too, was a tonsil removal challenged individual. I waited until I was 22, and whooo howdy that was a tough recovery. The kids who were in there getting the same surgery bounced back 10 times faster. I was still HOSPITALIZED a week later. So by all mMeans, get those suckers out Poste Haste.
My boys love Magic Treehouse, Captain Underpants, Wimpy Kid books, Magic School bus and having ANY Roald Dahl read to them. For some reason, they still request OLD movies like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the original Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. Also, the Loony tunes cartoons. I will warn you that The Mom ALWAYS dies in Disney movies, so be prepared to cry right along with him if you rent any Disney movie.
Good luck to

[Jen]

My favorite movie around that age was The Adventures of Milo and Otis.

I still love the books by Edward Eager and Eleanor Estes. They are both terrific sets. Oh, and try Eva Ibbotson too.

[Anna]

My nephews LURVE the Zac Power series: http://www.zacpower.com/home/default.asp.

Much love to Patrick.

[AP]

I second the Phantom Tollbooth recommendation. Also, Sideways Stories from Wayside School?

[Jackie]

I was that kid who missed the class trips and birthday parties. And I missed so much school that I was in danger of being required to repeat a grade because of my attendance (or lack thereof) record -- despite my perfect grades. I don't remember any of the recovery, but I have vivid memories of my disappointment from the missed trips and parties. Your ENT sounds marvelous and you are doing the right thing. Good luck, Patrick!

[Kizz]

Can you dig up any Choose Your Own Adventure books? Do they even make those anymore? Wait, this is the internet, hold on, I'll look. They do! And they have their own web site.

http://www.cyoa.com/public/index.html

I feel as though it would be either a love or a HATE thing for Patrick. I loved them as a kid but was frustrated because my need for the linear and the complete was so strong and I could never feel completely sure I'd exhausted every option. Patrick will probably be able to devise a system for being sure he has, though.

[Slim]

People have stolen my suggestions, although I will add that if he's having trouble swallowing, full-fat yogurt may be a handy thing for filling him up.

[Kizz]

Wait here's the link for the classic Choose Your Own Adventure ones:

http://www.cyoa.com/templates/webStore_1column_noHeader.php?pageid=20

Feel like this might be the best place to start if you're interested.