Jack's T&A...

Our little Jackie Boy got his tonsils and adenoids out 2 weeks ago.  This morning is the first day I have sent him to school without having to take some Tylenol!!!  He is also happy that after today he gets to eat chips and pretzels.  We survived.  It was a rough first week, but now that it's behind us, I'm glad it's done!

Because of Jack's metabolic disorder he had to have his surgery at the hospital instead of the surgery center.  The anesthesiologist felt that it was safer and wanted to have him admitted for at least a full day.  Luckily, his blood counts were so good, they let us go after 14 hours!  No sleeping in the hospital is always a plus.  

 Jack was actually excited for the surgery because he knew he was getting a few gifts from us, and both grandma's.  Little did he know...

 Checking in to the hospital bright and early

 They gave him some 'sleepy' juice and it was hilarious.  He was acting so funny.  KJ thought it was the funniest thing ever.  Jack kept telling all of us that we had 2 heads.

 Here he was being a little comedian. 

 Wheeling him away to the Operating room.  This is when I started to get nervous.  He was brave with his Mario blankets and all of his favorite stuffed 'friends'.  

 The recovery room was a nightmare.  Something I want to forget.  Poor little Jack lost all control.  He was 'freaking' out coming out of anesthesia.  I was back with him and it took 6 of us to hold him down so he wouldn't rip his IV out.  He was screaming bloody murder for hours.  I had been told that kids with Aspergers have a hard time coming out of anesthesia because it is complete sensory overload.  I was not prepared to see Jack like this.  It broke my heart.  I tried every trick in the book to try to calm him, NOTHING worked.  The only thing that calmed him came from the anesthesiologist giving him more meds to 'knock him out'.  They had to do this 4 times.  He finally settled down hours later.  We were ALL exhausted.  Jack, Dan, Me, the nurses, and the Doc's.  It's hard to see your little one be constrained and not be able to help or calm him.  I still cry when I think about it.  I hope we never have to do that again.  Rough morning.  

I had friend offer to watch KJ and Olivia for the day, but they wanted to be there (they weren't in the recovery room) for Jack.  They were so good.  It was a long day and they were very good at keeping themselves busy.  They were very concerned and very sweet.  Jack came to a room full of cards and pictures made by them.

 He was very tired and worn out.  

 They had a therapy dog come and visit Jack.  It was the first time he was happy.  He LOVED it.  I am so appreciative of the people who volunteer their time to help make the day of a sick little one.  He spent a lot of time with the dog, they had a special bond.  

 They finally took out his IV at around 9:00pm after all his blood work cleared and his doctor gave us the Okay to go HOME!!!  It felt like FREEDOM!

 This is the first meal he wanted to eat the next day.  Raspberries and mac n cheese.  

 The next week we had lots of snuggle and nap time.  The snuggle time was nice as that doesn't happy very often.  I'm proud of Jack.  He was one tough cookie.  

He had his check up and is healing nicely.

Next up...Olivia's turn.  She is scheduled to have hers removed on the 27th.  She will be having her adenoids and tonsils removed as well as tubes in her ears and blood work done for allergies.  The only bonus is that we've already met our family yearly deductible.  :) Why not get it all over with at once?

Wish us luck...