Tough Guy

It has been a tough week in the Vitale House. Gavin had his tonsils and adenoids removed on Monday at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. While it is a routine surgery and we all either have gone through it (neither Pete nor I) and know someone that has, it is a painful one. We decided to do this for Gavin as a result of on going, chronic ear infections. He has had two sets of ear tubes (one set at 7 months, the second set at 2 yrs and 2 months). Believe it or not the second set has stayed in for awhile. Even so, we ended up with another round of ear infections in January/February 09. He had a few mystery fevers last year and his ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) doctor, Dr. Gottlieb, suggested that this was most likely tonsillitis due to the enormity of their size. Gavin's tonsils were about the size of ping-pong balls. He shouldn't have been able to look in the mirror and see his own, but he could. Adenoids were enlarged and most likely contributing to poor ear drainage and infections. Couple that with a 5 year old that can wake you up with snoring through the wall and our suspicions of sleep apnea like Daddy - time to do it.

Pete and I took Gavin on Monday and before surgery he enjoyed the pre-op playroom. He was funny trying out ride on toys that were too big for his long legs (46" tall). It was a great distraction while we waited for surgery. I love his smiley face in this picture and when I took it (with my phone- poor quality), I was sad to think about how down and out he would be for the next week or so.

Gavin's surgery went very well. We had discussed the process and answered his questions for about two weeks. He was fine going in due to the dose of Versed he was given as a sedative. Pete dressed in his jump suit and went in to OR with him for "induction". Pete was there until Gavin fell asleep from the laughing gas. Waking up is never good. He did not know where he was or what was going on. It took Pete and I a little while to calm him down as he realized that his tonsils were gone. He had a rough day. He ended up getting pretty sick from anesthesia. In our attempts to wait it out and see if he would get sick again, he took a snooze in the chair (fell asleep watching bad TV).

We seems to be turning it around now (Thursday) that we have reached the third day post-op. His low grade fever is gone and that has allowed his to feel better. He is talking more but trying not to move much. He is not thrilled about his pain meds but more tolerant and he started to eat yogurt and cereal again so that is an excellent sign.

Daddy and Gavin are trying out the new Wii system this week so that has Gavin up and moving from time to time. More to come on that subject...