Chloe’s Surgery

Three years ago, when Chloe started preschool, it was brought to our attention that Chloe was having difficulty focusing in class.  It wasn’t a disciplinary issue, as far as we could tell.  She wasn’t being defiant or causing trouble.  It was just as though she didn’t hear anyone talking to her, and she was in her own little world.

This challenge continued through the 2 years in preschool.  Phil and I held tight, hoping it was a developmental issue that she would grow out of.  We knew her hearing was fine, so we thought maybe it was a processing issue.

Before starting Kindergarten, we had her evaluated by the school district’s psychologist, to see if she would qualify for any assistance in the classroom once she went into public school/Kindergarten.  She did qualify.  They couldn’t put a finger on her issue, but said she had many of the symptoms that paralleled ADD.  It wasn’t a “diagnosis’, but her symptoms qualified her for district-paid assistance in public school.

Her Kindergarten teacher, Mrs.. Lori Hashimoto, is aware of the challenges that come with Chloe.  As parents we have discussed this with her at the beginning of the year.  But two weeks ago, by request of the teacher, we met with the teacher again.  She had concerns with Chloe moving into a full-day classroom in 1st grade.  Academically, she is right on target.  But her ability to focus and finish tasks is not improving.  She highly suggested that we go to our pediatrician and discuss this to see if there was anything else we could do for her before the fall transition hit.

After meeting with the pediatrician and talking about some of Chloe’s issues, we came to the conclusion that we needed to have her examined for sleep apnea.  It would be a could thing to check prior to assuming that meds were the only option.   We have noticed that Chloe is a very inconsistent sleeper – up often, loud breathing, and erratic breathing in the night.

We headed to Children’s hospital a week ago Monday for an x-ray of her adenoids.  The next day, the results showed that Chloe’s airway was almost totally closed off by her adenoids!  Whoa!  You can see in the x-ray, inside the orange circle, where her airway is almost closed while standing up!  Can you imagine how closed it is when she is laying down and relaxed?

We were able to get into the ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist) at Swedish Hospital, Otolaryngology Clinic.  As the idea of surgery came closer, I started to get nervous about Chloe’s reaction to a hospital, to an IV, to doctors being in her space.  Prayers begin – by me, by my women’s group, by all of my believing friends.

First answer to prayer = the doctor’s name.  We were set up with Dr. Gabriella Sanchez.  Gabriella is the name of Chloe’s ballerina doll that she got at Christmas.  And when she found out her doctor’s name, she was SO excited to bring her doll and introduce them!

 

With that, we were off to see the ENT on Thursday of the same week.

 

 

 

       

Chloe was really good about letting the doctor check her throat and examine her.  I was pleasantly surprised by Chloe’s cooperation.

The doctor agreed that Chloe could see some improvement with an adenoidectomy, and possibly a tonsillectomy.  *deep breath* mommy

Second answer to prayer = surgery schedule.  It was Thursday and they were scheduling 2 weeks out.  With surgery, Chloe would miss at least a week of school.  But as we were sitting in the office waiting for the nurse to schedule a date for us, she came in and said that Swedish Medical Center (across the street) just had an opening come up for that Monday (4 days later!).  That same Monday was the same week as Chloe’s spring break.  With that, she could use her vacation to recover and not miss any school.  Praise God!!  DONE!

Once it was scheduled and sank in, I started to really prepare Chloe for what was going to happen.  We were as honest as we could be without being graphic. 

Chloe, you will be going to the big hospital on Monday to see Dr. Gabriella again.  They will give you special pajamas to wear.  You will get to pick out a mask and decorate it with stickers.  And you will get to pick a favorite scent.  They will put that mask on your face, and you will fall asleep.  While you are asleep, Dr. Gabriella will open your mouth and take out your adenoids.  You won’t feel it because you will be asleep.  She WON’T cut you.  She will just go in your mouth.  When you wake up, Mommy or Daddy will be there, and it will be done.  Then you will get to rest and eat popsicles and ice cream for several days.

With that we started making arrangements for Keith for the week.  It would have been difficult for Chloe to rest if Keith was around.  Our community really stepped up to help us.  We had play dates set up for Keith for 4 1/2 days!  And we had three different families bring us dinners throughout the week.  The night before the surgery, we took Keith to my mom’s to spend the night.  We had to be at the hospital by 6am the next morning, and it made more sense to have him stay the night elsewhere.  Before bed, we took her to QFC where she got to pick out Jell-O, frozen yogurt, popsicles, etc.

Morning came, and off we went.  We packed her backpack with her favorite blanket, her “lil’bear”, and her Gabriella ballerina, of course!

Chloe kept busy in the lobby while we got her registered.  She played on my new cell phone that has lots of activities for her (puzzles are her favorite).  Once checked-in, we were moved to a children’s room.  They gave her hospital pajamas and fun socks to wear.

We did our intake with “Gurline”, the nurse.  She was awesome, and really good with Chloe.  She had her blood pressure taken, weighed, her height, and her temperature taken.  She put an ID tag on her ankle.

 

Once checked in, they had a “Child Life Specialist” come to take us down to the surgery floor.  There was another kids room down there that was cozy, colorful and where we would meet the anesthesiologist and Dr. Gabriella.  Chloe got her mask, decorated it, and chose bubblegum scent for the inside of it.

Mommy got a cover-up and hat to wear into the OR (operating room).  I got to accompany her there until she was asleep.  We walked down the hall, hand in hand, and into the OR.  As we walked in, there were 5 doctors/nurses waiting, bright lights, an operating table and all the computers and paraphernalia.  I thought that might stop her in her tracks.  Third answer to prayer = Chloe is totally comfortable.  Her first words walking into the OR…

“whoa…. this is cool!”

She hopped right up on the table, laid down and let the doctor put her mask on.  As she laid there, I explained that all these people (doctors & nurses) were there just for her!  I showed her the big lights overhead.  And as we talked, she slowly lost consciousness.  I have to admit, as much as I love medicine and have no issues with stuff, it was very difficult to see her go so limp and helpless.  I left the room confident, but with tears in my eyes…

Back in the waiting room, Phil and I sat patiently.  The procedure would only take 20-30 minutes.  And right on schedule, they called Phil in to sit with her as she woke up.

  

Her blood oxygen level was being monitored by this little fitting.  It started out on her hand during surgery, but as Chloe started waking up, they moved it to her little monkey toes.  It was so cute, Mommy had to take a pic…

 

She was held in the 1st recovery room for 2 hours while monitored by “Helga”, a retired nurse who was filling in for the day. 

She was wonderful and really helped to make Chloe feel comfortable in the midst of her daze and discomfort.  Once fully awake, Chloe got a popsicle, and that is where the purple lips began!  :-D

   

After her 2 hours passed successfully, she was moved down to the 2nd recovery room for another 2 hours.  There we were paired back up with Gurline for that remaining time.  Chloe got a bit fussy about 1 hour before leaving.  She was tired, and it was pretty typical as the anesthesia wore off.  She slept on my lap for that last hour prior to her discharge.

The only trauma (if you can call it that) was in the last 10 minutes of our 6 1/2 hour stay!  Gurline needed to take out her IV.  As much as we tried to distract her, she saw a little spray of blood when the needle came out.  Small freak out that was quickly cured with a Hello Kitty band-aid.

 

Again, we were so very thankful for such a positive experience and all the answers to prayer.  This week has gone so smoothly, and Chloe is recovering beautifully = fourth answer to prayer.  I believe I have already seen some changed in her.  That first night, she slept so peacefully, that Phil and I kept checking on her to make sure she was breathing!  She is sleeping through the night and is really more attentive during the day.  We are anxious to see how this helps her in school starting next week…

We are hoping that our fifth answer to prayer will be that this will be significant enough of a chance that she may not need meds for ADD.  Go God!!