I left work early today, and before I went home I walked along to the Children’s Ward, where my little 4 year old grandson Charlie was awaiting a tonsillectomy. I thought he’d be miserable at being starved all day as he loves his food, but he was his usual happy self. He ran up to me and gave me a cuddle, and then continued playing with a mountain of toys that he’d never seen before.
I watched him, remembered my own sons’ various childhood surgeries, and realised that little children have it best when it comes to operations. They live in the present, and have no knowledge of what’s going to happen to them. They also have no self-pity, and so they don’t sit around feeling miserable and sorry for themselves. They also don’t know how to catastrophise. I thought back to how worried I was before my own operations, and realised that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing!
The porter came to take Charlie to Theatre, who was busy looking at all the toys depicted on his tiny gown, and playing with a toy racing car that I’d bought him. They wheeled him along on the bed to Theatre, and my daughter-in-law went in to the anaesthetic room with him. I gave Charlie a kiss, and told him not to lose the car. He was still smiling as the operating theatre doors closed.
I’m going back in tonight to find out how he got on. When I got home there was a text from my son to say that Charlie was now back on the ward and still smiling. I bet the poor little sod doesn’t know what on earth is going on today.
Phil Huston said:
They said tonsils only rarely bleed, don’t worry. I’m sitting on the couch with my daughter way back when, mom is gone to night school. Daughter vomits bright red mashed potatoes. Full blown worry.
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Stevie Turner said:
Oh, did you take her to A&E?
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Phil Huston said:
Immediately. Called first and made sure the doc was on call. Small college town at the time. Eeeeek!
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Jennie said:
Children are so resilient!
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Stevie Turner said:
They are. Charlie’s home and running about as though nothing has happened.
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Jennie said:
Good!
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dgkaye said:
Aw, well it’s good to hear he’s back in the ward. 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
Home now and running around just as before.
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dgkaye said:
It never ends, does it? 🙂
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Nathan said:
Awwwwww poor thing 😦
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Stevie Turner said:
He’s okay now, thank you.
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Maria Holm said:
Small children are so natural in their situations, and as you say they get the best out of it playing with new pieces of toys or meet friendly exciting people at the ward as long as they have their close family with them, it’s not so traumatic.
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes. My son stayed overnight, and says they’re going home this morning.
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Maria Holm said:
In the ”good old days” children were left at hospitals for long periods of time without the much-needed contact to their parents. I have felt the impact of that through my life. I am getting over it now decades later
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes, my mother was in hospital for 2 months as a child. Her mother was not allowed to visit. Awful.
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jenanita01 said:
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks ladies!
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Jacquie Biggar said:
You’re right, Stevie. Kids face things with an innocence and bravery I admire. Hope your grandson enjoys the ice cream!
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Stevie Turner said:
We’ve been in tonight and he’s had ice pops and then pasta followed by ice cream. He’s on the mend I think!
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Darlene said:
How sweet. I had my tonsils out at age 10. I had once overheard my mom and her friend talk about a child who died after losing too much blood during a tonsillectomy. I was horrified it would happen to me and was very scared. When I came to, mom was checking my pulse, perhaps she was also afraid. I am sure Charlie will be just fine as he is in good hands. xo
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes, my son has texted to say he’s okay. We’re just off to see him now.
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What Words May Come said:
Sweet babies…
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Stevie Turner said:
He is. I love him to bits.
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What Words May Come said:
I compeletely understand!
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Ellen Hawley said:
Family legend has it that when my brother had his tonsils out, some wiseacre at the hospital told him he could have all the ice cream he wanted afterward. When he woke up, his throat hurt and he didn’t want ice cream. He decided he’d been cheated and convinced my parents to let him have an ice cream every day once he got home.
Presumably they’re wise at children’s hospitals these days.
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Stevie Turner said:
I think they encourage kids to eat things like toast and crisps instead these days. I read Roald Dahl’s autobiography, and he had the same op as a kid without any anaesthetic!
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Ellen Hawley said:
Oh, ouch. I think they did that in my father’s day as well. My youngest uncle was so horrified by how the older kids looked when they came back to the waiting room that he ran off and died with his tonsils still in his throat.
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Stevie Turner said:
Oh goodness. Died of shock?
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Ellen Hawley said:
Not at all. He ran off and his parents, for whatever reasons, never tried to get his tonsils taken out again. He died some eight decades later.
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Stevie Turner said:
Oh I see!
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LadyPamelaRose said:
Wishing Charlie a speedy recovery!!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks. He’s doing okay.
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tidalscribe said:
Quite unusual these days to have tonsils out. Charlie’s ward sounds jollier than when i had mine out.
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Stevie Turner said:
Apparently he’s had tonsils and adenoids out, a fluid drain, and grommets put in his ears as well. He couldn’t hear properly after repeated infections, so perhaps he’ll be speaking clearer now.
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