Saturday, January 28, 2012

Our Experience with Myringotomy Tubes & Adenoidectomy

Yesterday, Kade had to have his first surgery ever. The not eating or drinking after midnight meant absolutely nothing to him even though I anticipated a major struggle by 8 am. My parents came by to watch Kyleigh, which didn't even phase him that they were here so early. And getting the boy to go for a ride is never much of a struggle. We built him an Alvin Build-a-Bear decked out in scrubs to take back on his little stretcher with him and to wake up with after surgery.

 We arrived at Piedmont Surgery Center at 8:30 and Kade made the most of his 30 minutes waiting in the lobby. He chased a little girl named Summer around and had everybody in there laughing. He had to make sure everybody who came through the doors closed them tightly behind them as well. We finally got to go back to be prepped for surgery and Kade didn't seem to suspect anything until he was cornered off and couldn't get up and leave. He started struggling to get down so we asked if there was any way we could get something to make him comfortable. Not even ten minutes later he was dopey, glassy-eyed & falling over. A few minutes later the nurses came to take him back. As thy carried him back, we told him bye and we only got looks, no verbal response.
The Ride To The Surgery Center




A Few Minutes Before Surgery


Twenty five minutes was all it took to take his adenoids out and put the tubes in. I read my Nicholas Sparks while Josh played on my iPhone. Dr. Saccogna came out to let us know he was being taken to recovery and had done perfect with no issues with his procedure. He said within a few minutes they'd call us back to recovery & I heard Kade screaming before that time came.


Being in the recovery room with him was difficult, with him screaming and stiffening up. He repeatedly tried to rip the thing off his finger to take his pulse and screamed when it got put back on. They ended up giving him more pain medicine before we brought him home because he was hysterical.


On the way home, I sat in back and held his hand and got pulled closer several times because he wanted hugs. He was very happy to see his Mimi & Papa when we got home and even goofed off and laughed before drifting off for a nap.

 Six hours after being taken back for surgery, Kade woke up laughing, cutting flips in the kitchen & running around like nothing had ever happened. He also decided to eat chips, candy & brownies as well. The night wasn't as painless, however. He woke up at 2 am in a good bit of pain and wanting to watch cartoons.
Napping At Home


All-in-all, the experience wasn't as bad as I'd been scared to believe it might have been by a few people. And Kade is feeling better and back to his crazy self now, just two days later.  Through this experience I've learned that things aren't always going to be as difficult as people make them out to be.  Also, that i have a very resillient little boy who overcomes things very quickly.  We were blessed with a very amazing doctor & nursing staff as well.  I hope we never have to go through it again, simply because seeing your child in pain is a very difficult thing for a parent.  And it also made me feel very blessed that both of my children are healthy & happy babies who don't go through this sort of thing on a regular basis.  I couldn't imagine the strength it would take to watch your child be operated on so often.  I pray for good health for both of my children & hopefully no more surgeries for The Chastains for a while.


Monday, January 23, 2012

Manic Monday

Mondays are stereotypically the worst days of the entire week. The hardest to get through after having the weekend to spend time with your family, the longest day of the week getting back in the swing of things & even moreso looking forward to the next upcoming weekend.
My day today was even more dreadful because of a pre-op appointment for my son. My two year old, Kade, is scheduled to have tubes put in his ears and his adenoids out on Thursday. His appointment consisted of absolutely nothing that couldn't be conducted over the phone. No weight or blood taken, only instructions of what to do the night before & what to do for the days and weeks after. I've had many surgeries myself, these things were nothing I'm not accustomed to. However, i was informed that since toddlers' tolerance of anesthesia is different than that of an adult he will be "floppy" afterwards. Definitely what I want to hear. My child will be floppy. Anyways, Needless to say after the 30 minute drive and being woke up from a nap, I had a very cranky & uncooperative child who simply wanted to leave. I don't even know his surgery time, we will receive the call with the time on Wednesday afternoon. We were told to expect to have to be there between 8 and 9:30 am. Despite my frustration after this appointment the staff are amazing & super patient. This is just an experience any parent would dread. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight Wednesday = Thursday morning with a thirsty & hungry toddler should be quite interesting. Expect an interesting post Thursday afternoon.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

My Life: An Intro

        First Off, My name is Amanda.  I'm 25, I'm married & a full-time Stay-at-home mommy & housewife.  My husband Josh & I met in high school and began dating June 21st 2008.  Our son, Kade, was born June 17th 2009. We got engaged December 23rd 2009 & were married March 17th 2010.  We found out we were pregnant again in April of 2011 & welcomed our daughter, Kyleigh, November 28th 2011. We also have a tortoiseshell cat, Turtle, who is almost 3 years old and still a kitten at heart. 
        My parents are simply the best any girl could ever ask for.  They've supported me in every way possible my entire life and continue to do so and try to help my husband & myself out as much as they can. Over the years, i have seen that not everyone is as blessed with the things & parents that i was lucky to have grown up with.  I also hope to provide my children with the same love & affection that i was priviliged to have been given.
        I decided to start doing a blog simply to keep up with very special times in the lives of my husband, my children & myself.  As well as keeping family & friends updated on these things as well. 
Photo Introduction



Me & Josh at the beach August 2009


Kade at Two & A Half


Kyleigh at six weeks old