tonsillectomy for AJ

We took AJ in to see an Ears/Nose/Throat specialist on the recommendation of our pediatrician. We had asked the pediatrician about his crazy snoring and if a 4 year old could have sleep apnea. Well turns out that they can’t really diagnose sleep apnea in kids, so they call it "sleep-disordered breathing", and they always take a look at the old tonsils if there’s a snoring problem.  AJ has one mid-sized tonsil and one super sized tonsil, but no sore throat or anything like that. They sent us home with some nose spray and a follow-up appointment to discuss a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy.  The second night on the nose spray and the snoring was GONE!!!  But then a month later, after a week of not using the spray again, he was snoring like a bear again.  In fact I almost ripped that offending tonsil out with my own bare hands while sharing a room with him on our 2 1/2 week trip to Utah.

Here’s the thing I found very interesting, both doctors said that they feel the medical profession moved away from taking out tonsils for many years, but are move back to it for a very specific reason; ADHD. See if snoring is keeping kids at a superficial level of sleep two problems occur.  From what I understand, when kids (even teens) are in the REM stage of sleep they are using a different part of the brain than adults use during REM.  They are processing and reprocessing what they learned the previous day.  If they can’t get to the really deep sleep patterns then they aren't completing that learning and would explain why they don't seem able to focus/retain information.  Snoring also reduces the oxygen levels in their brains for a significant portion of the day which can also limit brain growth!  Plus where lack of sleep drains adults' energy, it triggers hyperactivity in kids!  Fascinating, no?!!?!?!

There was a study done where 22 kids who were being medicated for ADHD had their tonsils removed.  After a month, half of the kids were symptom free WITHOUT medication!  I should note that we don't feel like AJ has ADHD or any behavior/learning issues. .  ,yet.

We decided that last Friday was the best time for AJ’s tonsils and adenoids to be removed. This way it didn’t cut into much of our summer fun, his preschool doesn’t start for another 2 weeks so it gives him time to recover, and I’ll be able to focus on just him while the big kids are back in school.

M was the parent who took him to the surgery. Some times AJ sort of rejects M, so having M as the one who was there to comfort him when he woke up seems to have gone a long way to strengthen their bond. That, and the pile of frozen treats that M let AJ pick out for post-surgery treats.

The surgery went quickly and well. He is enjoying the lazing around watching movies. The surgery center gave him a little (ugly) blue teddy bear as a post-surgery gift. He named it Blue Beary and loves it. However, he hates the pain medication that they prescribed for him. It’s very bitter and even hidden in Gatorade or applesauce he has a hard time gagging it down. His throat sounds very full of swelling when he talks, but he is back to singing and talking to himself as he plays.