Surgery Schmurgery

Griffin had his surgery last Friday. We were told to be at the hospital at 6:30am, and that Griffin was the second kid of the day. My dad and sister drove up and met us at our house, then we rolled out. We showed up and got our buzzer (they use a buzzer like a restaurant basically). Griffin kept looking at it and saying "broke" and "no work" because it wasn't lighting up. Haha! We didn't have to wait very long before we were called back.









We were in a small holding room with the scariest nurse ever! Mr.Pate and I both agreed this woman should not be working with kids. Anyhow, she asked a few questions, Griffin got a gown to change into (he got to leave his pants and shoes on though), and we had a tv to watch. He did remarkably well waiting in this room. We were probably in there 45 minutes or an hour. He did ask for a drink many times. For a long time we were the only people in our entire "pod" (there were like 6 rooms). Then an older man got wheeled in across the hall and that man started drinking coffee! Griffin immediately pointed and yelled "drink mommy"!


Dr.Sims (the ENT) and the anesthesiologist both came by to walk us through what would happen and see if we had any more questions. Then the team came back to get him. They all had scrubs on and the scrub net hats too. One took Griffin and he started to cry, but then he pointed to their hats and said "hat?" We said, "do you want to go get a hat like theirs buddy?" and he said "yes!" After that, he was happy to head out with them. No tears. It was way way way better than I expected! I was very thankful.

That was right around 8:05am. We waited in the lobby until 8:35am then our buzzer went off saying the doctor was calling. He let me know everything went great, Griffins adenoids were definitely much bigger than they should have been so he removed them, and Griffin would be in recovery about 30 minutes. Great. Then not even two minutes later they called for me to go sit with Griffin in recovery. He needed to be comforted.



As a hospital volunteer walked me through back hallways, I realized this was the same OR and recovery area they use for c-sections. I had been there before. And when we got to the recovery room it was like a flashback being in the long room. But this time around there were tons of people everywhere (when I had Griffin I was the only one in recovery- the only one in a huge huge huge room). I was given my pitiful baby boy and we were able to sit in a little room (as opposed to the curtain areas). Griffin was flushed and asleep basically. He had been crying but saw me and just passed out. He would occasionally wake and complain about his IV, then cuddle back in.
Eventually a recovery room opened up and we headed there to meet Mr.Pate. Griffin then slept on him for about 45 minutes. We got him to eat half a popsicle and confirmed he had a wet diaper, so we were finally able to get that IV out! Once it was out and we dressed him, Griffin perked up a bunch. And by the time we got out to the lobby he was happy and laughing.



We headed home and Griffin just ate and laughed and played with Mimi (my sister) and Peeps. I was soooo relieved and excited that he didnt seem very phased by the experience at all. He was in  a great mood and just continued on in that way the rest of the weekend. Yay!! Momma Susan stopped by to see how the boy was, and the cool kids played in their shades for a while. Now lets just hope it was worth it and it helps him not be as sick or as miserable with his allergies!

Home and doing great!

We have made it home and are doing awesome! I will document more latter, but for those wondering (nanny Martha) we are doing well!

Pre-Op Fun

Yesterday, Griffin and I went to his Pre-Op appointment at the hospital. We were told to report at 3pm to get registered and do some testing. They couldn't tell me which exact tests to expect.

Well we ended up being there from 3-5:15pm! Goodness! But Griffin did so week waiting. They weighed him, measured him, and took his oxygen level (with one of those little finger clips). That's all for testing! I was expecting blood work so I was pleasantly surprised but also felt like he didn't even really need to be present for this. After that they walked me through the procedure and I met with the anesthesiologist to ask questions. I found that very helpful and comforting. I got to ask about possible risks (mainly breathing risks but he explained the treatments for these also) and just what to expect. I really liked him and Griffin loved him.

He asked Griffin if he was always this good and Griffin happily responded Yes! Haha! It was funny.

So I am feeling good about Friday's procedure and how this will help our baby. Those of you who see him regularly, I am excited to hopefully not see such pathetic eyes and runny nose all the time, as well as him not having ear infections every other day!

Oh and today we met a man named Dan who was waiting in the lobby for his mother in law. Mr.Dan was a lifesaver! He had a whole package of cubed cheese and summer sausage and shared with Griffin! He became Griffins new BFF! Haha!

Clearing out those ears

For those of you who actually know Griffin and see him pretty often, you know the poor kid suffers from some pretty bad allergies. His eyes and nose are often oozing gunk. He also gets ear infections every five seconds. He is kind of a mess basically 😉. And the poor thing lives in Kentucky, where you experience all four seasons in one week. Whew.

So this past week we went to see an ENT to discuss Griffins ears. We were pretty sure they would suggest we get tubes put in. Griffin did great with the audiology test and every time the sound changed he would make a surprised face and say "oh!". It was hilarious.

The doctor came in and took one look at Griffin, who happened to be suffering from one of his eye gunk days (on these days the poor thing looks like we punched him in both eyes, it's so sad) and he said "I usually don't recommend this, but looking at how bad he suffers from allergies, I really recommend both tubes and removing the adenoids."

I wasn't expecting that one. But as he described it, it really sounded like just what Griffin needs. So Mr.Pate and I made the decision and scheduled the surgery for next Friday.

I am just a little nervous. I know it's a pretty common procedure today, and I wasn't nervous about the tubes at all. But the adenoids is a little more invasive (still a minor surgery). And I just hate to have to put my baby to sleep or him to have a breathing tube. But I am focusing on how much these will improve his everyday life. The poor kid seriously suffers constantly between his eyes, nose and ears.

So please join us in praying for a quick and safe surgery, fast recovery and effectiveness for our little guy.

Please enjoy picture from our morning appointment. Griffin and daddy decided they needed to switch hats. I think that look is great on Mr.Pate, don't you? Haha!