Surgery - Tonsillectomy, Adenoidectomy, Microlaryngoscopy and Brochoscopy

A few months ago, Jordan was evaluated by an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist and it was determined that she needed surgery.  She is scheduled for Monday, February 22 at 9:45am.  We are less than 2 days away and I am preparing myself physically, mentally, and spiritually for all that it entails.  The procedures are considered outpatient (for insurance reasons) but then she will be admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at DeVos Children's Hospital for a minimum of 24 hours.  I am trying to process through all of what is going to happen.

The ENT found that her tonsils are almost touching in the back of her throat and need to be removed in hopes to provide a clear path for her swallowing in the future.  It's kinda funny because about 6 months ago, I called the peds office because during one of her screaming episodes, I saw how huge her tonsils looked and they told me that unless they were red and inflamed or she was showing signs of discomfort, large tonsils are common with young children.  I guess they are larger than they should be so out they go!!!  It is fairly common practice to remove the adenoids when they remove the tonsils so she is having that done as well.  The other procedures are scopes they are doing in order to see what her esophagus and trachea area look like.  They are looking for damage from reflux as well as any malformations that may be causing the difficulty swallowing and/or the aspiration.

The Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy, or T & A as the medical people refer to it, is a very standard and common procedure so we feel confident that this will benefit her in the long run and hopefully make it somewhat easier for her to swallow.  The doctor was very glad that Jordan was not currently in a treatment program for swallowing as the surgery could be a significant setback.  As frustrated and disappointed as I was that they were stopping feeding therapy for a year, it might be the best opportunity for us to take care of some of these other obstacles that stand in her way for swallowing.

The Microlaryngoscopy and Brochoscopy are the procedures we are more anxious about.  They will use a scope to look at her vocal chords and airway.  There is a huge part of me that is hoping they find some malformation that can be repaired and hopefully increase her chances of effective swallowing without aspiration.  I know it seems crazy to want them to find something, but since we have spent almost 2 years trying to figure out why she can't swallow and getting her to try to learn with no success, I just want to fix it for her!!  I am also preparing myself to hear that everything looks normal and that we are no closer to a solution than we were before.  It's hard sometimes to not get my hopes up, but I have to in order to avoid heartbreak and disappointment in the long run.

My biggest concern is that they told me she will be miserable for 2 weeks!!!  That's a long time with a little one!!  I know that I have heard so much about how people say Popsicles and ice cream and cold foods in general feel so good on their throat when they have their tonsils out.  Unfortunately, Jordan is NPO (nothing by mouth) and therefore can't enjoy any of the things that are often used to help soothe the sore throat.  I will have her cold, thickened water available, but she is not supposed to have large amounts of it - only small sips.  Hopefully, they will be generous with her pain meds to get her through the worst of it.

I'm sure Jordan will be strong, just as she always is; I'm just praying that I can be as strong as she is.  I was supposed to go on a winter retreat with our youth group this weekend while Conner and Jordan stayed with some relatives.  However, on Thursday night I completely fell apart and could not find the strength to leave Jordan!  Partly, because they had not babysat her before and there is so much information to cover with daily routines but also because of the possibility of something going wrong and I'm not there to take care of her.  With her surgery the day after I was to return, I was just overwhelmed with the emotions of leaving her.  I was disappointed that I wasn't able to have fun on the retreat with Derrick, Mak and the kids from church, but I am thankful to have this weekend to spend with my little's!!