BEMAE

On the way to Patrick's surgery today we drove past a site where there had been a rare squirrel double homicide. About four feet apart from each other lay the remains of two red squirrels who had - one assumes - been chasing each other when they met their unfortunate demise(s) at the wheels of a squirrel crushing, deer smacking driving machine.

I swerved a little to avoid them (I know they are past caring but I hate driving over that sort of thing - seems so disrespectful) and in doing so attracted Patrick's attention. He glanced out the window and said, "Oh, look at that. Two squirrels after sinus surgery."

He was a ball of laughing sunshine all morning, truly.

We have been saying sinus surgery but technically - according to the consent form I signed - he had bilateral endoscopic maxillary antrosomy and ethmoidectomy. I thought this was a nice mouthful so I read it aloud to Patrick a few times in my attempt to say it all without stumbling over the syllables.

When Patrick then met with his surgical team half an hour later they asked him why he was there.

"I wish I knew," Patrick said. "Unlucky I guess."

They said, no, they meant, did he know what surgical procedure he was having done? He froze and I know both of us were thinking uh, disco maximus astronomy something something?

The nurse said, "Sinuses?" and Patrick looked relieved and said, "Sinuses."

His two big concerns going in were the IV (specifically IV insertion - they had to stab him five times to get one in his first time at Childrens) and the mask for the anesthesia. They put the IV in after he was asleep this afternoon so that was a big plus but being put under was almost as traumatic for him as it was the last time. They let me stay in the operating room with him until he was out and he was fine, fine, fine... and then he wasn't. The mask started to go down and he started to shake. I held his hand and the nurses patted him and the anesthesiologist said three deep breaths and you'll be asleep.

Patrick took one, two, three breaths and then he glowered at us. 

"I'm not asleep!" he said, all muffled from the mask. "Don't start the surgery yet!"

The anesthesiologist said let's think about something else ok buddy? Let's think about

- hold on while I again start to giggle hysterically (as in hysteria not as in ohmygod how funny) because... well you know Patrick, you decide -

the anesthesiologist said, "Baseball! Did you get out and play a lot of baseball this summer?"

Patrick went momentarily rigid and then he lost it.

"No! I don't like baseball!" he sobbed. "I don't like any of that stuff!" 

He tried to tug the mask off and we had to pin him down and it was awful but the whole time he was still yelping about his sports issues. Eventually, mercifully he stopped glaring at me and his eyes crossed and he went out, still muttering, "ball... dangerous... hit in the head."

As I was escorted from the room the nurse patted my back because my shoulders were shaking. I think she thought I was crying but I was actually close to laughing aloud. I tried to explain this to her but as I did so my eyes filled with tears and I realized that I was both - amused as ever by Patrick and flattened by the guilt of having to hold him down while he struggled.

They brought us to him in the recovery room a couple of hours later and he was a mess. Literally (dried blood all over his gown and his hands and his arms and fresh blood soaking the gauze taped under his nose) and emotionally (he just wailed, this awful raspy gulping cry that was almost primal.) Anesthesia really sucks. No doubt. We got some ice chips into him and a little popsicle and he dozed off and on for about an hour. He probably could have slept there for a few hours but we wanted him home and they needed their space so we bundled him into the car where he promptly threw up about a gallon of blood and mixed gore. Thank god for those plastic bags, that's all I have to say.

He's home now and sleeping again and I am sure he would appreciate your good wishes.

Comments

[Angela]

Hi Patrick,
Sending you quick-healing vibes from Oakville, Ontario, Canada!

[sarah k]

Poor guy and mommy! And WHY couldn't the anesthesiologist have ASKED what he was interested in first? Makes me livid.
Best wishes and prayers for quick, uneventful, and successful recovery on all fronts. And Julia, I'm sure Patrick knows -or will know- that only your massive love for him could have made you hold him down.
Blessings.

[Finuala]

My goodness - my heart goes out to you both. Sending warm and fuzzy wishes to you and Patrick for a quick recovery (both physical and emotional!).

[Ab]

Best wishes for a quick recovery for Patrick.

[Connie]

Poor baby! God bless him. Am I going to hell because I can't wait to here the rest of the story?

[Shandra]

Hang in there everyone! Speedy recovery to Patrick.

[sharon]

Poor Patrick. It's times like this that you realize he really is just a small boy, he seems so grown up the rest of the time. I do
hope he makes a full recovery - and quickly for everyone's sake ;-)

In the unthinkable event that he needs more surgery at some time in the future, would it be worth considering a tranquilizer before attempting the anesthetic procedure?

[AnnaN]

More well wishes (this time from Colorado) for Patrick to recover quickly. Poor guy - sounds like he has an atypical reaction to the anesthesia. And combined with his apprehension. Awwww.

And I can commiserate. Right before my husband's open heart surgery I thought, what if he's not really out when they start? Thankfully, the surgical team's protocol includes a brain wave monitor to make sure patients are truly out prior to starting. /shivers

I hope you are helping yourself to a glass of wine and a deep breath tonight. Hugs all 'round.

[Melani]

Love to Patrick and all of you as he heals. I hope that he gets well quickly and that this fixes all his health problems. He seems like an an amazing kid.

[carrie]

Praying for his fast recovery and that this is the answer to his problems. Keep us updated about his condition, but, first and foremost take care of him.

[Sheridan]

All our good wishes coming your way, Patrick! I hope this means you've turned the corner and have a great stretch of good health from now on!

[RocketGrl]

I would have freaked at the 'gallon of gore' and turned right around. Strength to all of you and quick healing to Patrick.

[trish]

poor guy! hope recovery is swift

[Shawna]

Poor Patrick! I hope you feel better soon!

[Carolyn]

Patrick, you are one brave, strong guy to go through the day you've had today. I just know this procedure will be "life changing" like one of the comments said. Good health to you,boy! Things are getting better every minute! Julia, I am sure wine is called for this evening. What a hard day you had.

[Mara]

All my good wishes sent your way now. Poor Patrick.

[Another Anna]

Best healing happy wishes to Patrick. And with his quick wit and way with words, it's all material. This will turn up in his memoir one day, squirrels and all.

Warm thoughts to you guys.

[Jennifer P]

Get well soon Patrick! Sending lots of healthy hugs from Texas.

[em]

Patrick! Truly amazing little man! Hope he feels better very soon and his recovery is very quick too!

[Alexicographer]

Oh no. I am sorry he had such a hard time and am, indeed, sending every single one of my good wishes to Patrick for a speedy recovery.

[Katherine]

Best wishes to Patrick and all of you. I hope the recovery goes well - lots of ice cream and sleep!

[Jess]

Oh, that's awful! Sorry you both had to go through that. Feel better Patrick!

[emomatic]

I'm thinking "sinuses before" and "sinuses after" Lego sculptures. Feel better soon, Patrick!

[Jen]

P.S. When Patrick feels better, tell him that all three of my boys (the youngest is his age) share his baseball sentiments. Mentioning it to the youngest (and most dramatically pessimistic) just before surgery would have totally convinced him that he was in for torture.

[Kathleen999]

That sounds so awful! Amazing that you were able to stay amused through it, but that is far better than being racked with whatever, because probably that is what I would do and it is not useful. Good wishes to all of you and especially Patrick as the invalid and you as the nurse.

[Kate]

IF the poor guy ever has to have surgery again, maybe the anesthesiologis can give him the choice of gas or IV to go to sleep. I ask all the slightly older kids I put to sleep which they'd like, in case one of them had a bad experience before or is just claustrophobic. Sometimes, one quick poke with the IV needle is a lot easier than holding them down for the gas induction. I also tend to use laughing gas for the first minute or so if the kid seems fairly cooperative, because it can certainly make them not care as much about the smelly stuff that puts them to sleep.
Hope he feels better soon!

[Laura]

I feel Patrick's pain. I've had the same surgery, in two parts, with the added bonus of straightening a deviated septum. As miserable as he may be for the next few days, I'm betting that this winter he will be so glad he had the surgery. It was literally life-changing for me. Hope he is feeling better soon.

[Ellie]

I'm so sorry it was so rough. Seems like they could have cleaned him up a bit, and allowed you to stay awhile longer as he rested through the initial recovery. Anesthesia is a bear and you have my deepest sympathy. Hoping this night is not too bad and that he recovers quickly!

[bethany actually]

Poor baby. He has many good wishes from me!

[Toni]

Oh Patrick. What a day. We are all thinking of you over here in Chicago. Hope you feel better soon!!!

[Karen O]

May the force be with you all!

[Krissy]

Poor, poor everyone. Best wishes to sweet Patrick. All the fonts he wants: STAT!

[Terri C]

Dear Patrick, I love your sense of humor. I am so sorry you had to have surgery and anesthesia and the lot, and I hope you feel much much much better soon. Best wishes--

[Kate (Bee In The Bonnet)]

Poor Patrick! Feel better soon! I'm so sorry the anesthesia was so traumatic and unpleasant. I wish I had tips or tricks for making the recovery easier, but from what I hear, the first few days are bad, but things get better quickly after that. Wishing you a speedy path through these next few days.

[kris (lower case)]

i think any time anyone has sinus surgery (or any surgery that involves swallowing blood) they are going to puke all over. i think you can not digest blood like that so it has to come out somehow... good luck with the next couple days. hope the outcome makes it all worth while.

[Yasmina]

Wish Patrick a speedy and painless recovery.

Whenever my kids suffer, I always tell myself that I suffer twice as much. It's the only way keep me from crying all the time. I remember when my daughter was putting ear tubes, she was wheeled out before I stop crying in the waiting room.

Hope you are coping with it well, too! You are very strong!

[Jenn]

Poor Patrick, I hope he recovers quickly and that this finally takes care of his problems.

[Sarah]

Get well soon!!! I hope the recovery is easy and quick.

I hope that this solves your problems and you do not fall horribly ill again. If it prevents more hospitalizations, I think it was worth it.

[pam]

Thinking of you both tonight.

[Cris]

Hang in there, Patrick! And make mom and dad buy you something fun (and not sports related).

[Lisa B in Seattle]

Ohhh! Poor bunny. Excuse me, poor Patrick! The throwing up of blood and gore is the worst - I remember the same thing happening when I had my tonsils out at age 19. Lots of ice cream and popsicles will make everyone feel a bit better, I hope!

[Chris]

When my husband had his tonsillectomy/adnoidectomy and nasal surgery at the same time it was truly awful for us both. He spent that whole first night throwing up blood and it was horrifying enough that I called the doctor at 5 am convinced he was going to die.

Luckily, he did not and we all survived to tell the tale. Patrick is especially brave and I hope this is the end of surgeries for him!!

[Diane]

Having been through 3 surgeries with my kids (tonsils and adenoids age 2 1/2, ear tubes at 10 months and major jaw surgery age 15 (i urge you to avoid the last one if you can unless you enjoy the blame game (I can't believe you let me do this! Worst decision of my life!!! did you guess a daughter? Bingo!)

It does get better but is hellish in the initial stages, especially the gore.

Hugs to all of you and especially Patrick!

[Elsha]

Poor kid! Hope he's feeling better soon!

[kim]

Hope you feel better soon Patrick.

[Renee]

Hi Patrick! I've had anesthesia before, and I was appalled that they didn't want me to eat anything after midnight. With an 11am surgery! And I am always underweight! I argued. I wanted to wait for an appointment earlier in the day. No dice. So I follow the instructions, and I'm ravenous when I go in. When I come to, I feel pretty ok, but even more starving. Ferociously hungry. So I'm excited to go eat, despite that I've just had surgery ON MY MOUTH. And then I stand up, to leave. I'm chattering away, about lunch. And then, before I realize it, I'm vomiting....nothing. Because my stomach is empty. This all to say, I have been there,and it was not fun. This will be a funny story you tell in....probably ten years. Maybe sooner.

[Genevieve]

Patrick, I wish you a smooth recovery (after the first couple days it gets better), filled with popsicles in your favorite flavors, and mismatched like your favorite socks. I think before-and-after sinus Lego sculptures as mentioned above is a brilliant idea. And I hope you feel wonderfully able to breathe tremendous amounts of air after you've healed.

Julia, I'm sorry it was so hard. And very glad you don't have the houseguest.

[eileen]

poor kiddo. Hope his recovery is as swift as your stifled laughter was shoulder-shakey. And I hope it's the end of his sinus woes.

[Sheila]

Get well soon, Patrick! The world needs your wry commentary!

[Andi]

I feel so guilty for giggling at the surgery story! Holding my thumbs that your senses of humor stay evident through the - increasingly better - next few days.