LisaMP wrote:
"Hi all, I thought I'd start a thread for those who have a loved one or a friend going through a
tonsillectomy. I think I can safely say that very little information is provided to us patients by the medical community regarding what to expect, and that is likely due to everyone experiences pain and healing differently. This makes it especially difficult for those taking care of us post surgery to understand what we're experiencing. Before I begin - a BIG THANK YOU to those taking care of us. This will be a painful experience for you as well. You are going to get snipped at and cried on, and forced to look at disgusting scabbing throats. You will be holding down the household and managing visitors and children. You are taking on a lot and we are extremely thankful!
Introduction:
There is a MAJOR difference between a child having a
tonsillectomy and an
adult having a
tonsillectomy, and no its not that adults are bigger babies. The reality is that the older you are, the longer it takes for the body to heal; that
adult tonsils are much larger than children's and deeper rooted. Therefore there is more skin removed and more trauma. Even though they are the same surgery, DO NOT begin to compare the
adult procedure to the child's. If you start off recognizing that this is surgery and a
traumatic experience to the body then your loved one will feel much more supported and it will HELP their healing process.
There are a lot of commonalities in the healing process. I'm hoping that other people who have had a
tonsillectomy as an
adult can add to this thread...
Graceful36 made a note that it is important to keep a chart or list of your medications during your recovery. Having a list of what, when, and how much medication you have taken will help prevent slip ups that might lead to overdoses in our pain medicated haze. It will also help, if you have multiple caretakers, so that they do not double dope you!
There are 3 MAIN RECOVERY STAGES:
STAGE 1: MODERATE PAIN
Days 1-3 (or thereabouts) are painful - Pain is usually in the moderate to severe stage. Doctors generally prescribe codeine, percocets, vicadin, or morphine, etc. and somtimes an antibiotic to help fight off infection. The most common form of
tonsillectomy is to cut them out and cauterize the wounds. Drinking water is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. The blood vessels that have been sealed are directly connected to the main
artery in your neck. Sometimes there is nausea after the surgery (within the first 3 days). This is often from medication and the
anesthetic leaving the body. Vomiting during this stage is very traumatic. Keep pushing water - no matter how painful it is for the patient to drink - have popsicles and crushed ice available to supplement the water. Usually the patient can eat some foods, even though it ranges from uncomfortable to outright painful. Tomato based products and anything else that contains acid (even bananas!) need to be avoided. Cold temperature and luke warm temp. are preferred. Some people have swollen
uvulas and tongues and this makes sleep, breathing and functioning in general very difficult. Constipation from the medication can often be a problem, and constipation can increase the pain and discomfort for the patient and can increase the risk of hemorraging because of the strain put on the body. The patient may experience some mild to moderate referred
ear pain during this stage. The white marks on the tonsil holes ARE the scabs - they are white because they are wet - keep them wet- aim for 100oz of water a day (even if they can't consume that much, keep it as a goal). Swallowing is painful but by not getting enough water the pain becomes worse, thus less water intake, therefore higher risk of increased pain and hemorraging. Avoid Ice Cream - the dairy produces
mucus that sits on the wounds - not a good feeling. The patient may need to sleep sitting up for the first few days due to the swelling of the mouth/throat. Get the recliner all cozy with blankets and pillows with a side table for water and meds. Surrender the remote control!
Things to keep on hand and remember for STAGE ONE:
1) cold water - see if you can find water fortified with
electrolytes, drink lots and lots of it.
2) popsycles - NOT RED - can make it difficult to determine if there's bleeding; ice chips
3) soup broth, oatmeal, cream of wheat, jello, ensure, pudding, mashed potatoes and gravy, yogurt or soft foods.
3) stool softeners - give to patient right from the get-go to avoid it becoming a problem.
4) humidifier - to keep the throat moist while the patient sleeps
5)
gravol (for the nausea)
6) rent movies - have their favourite books and magazines, crossword puzzles.
7) keep visitors to a minimum
8) recognize that they might not need a lot of assistance in this stage - so take your cue from them.
9) ask them at least 3-4 times a day how they are doing and if there is anything you can do for them.
10) YOU DO the laundry, dishes, etc., if they say they can handle a chore, then let them, but don't assume that if they can do the dusting one day, they can handle it the next day.
11) Keep the kids at bay - make arrangements before hand for neighbours, friends, family to help care for the kids.
STAGE TWO - MODERATE TO SEVERE PAIN
Days 4-9 Just when you think your loved one is on the mend (and believe me, they'll think so too!) the scabs start to come off. The pain this causes pretty much pushes the patient to and beyond their pain threshhold. The pain is not only in the throat, but in the ears - and is EXTREMELY painful - the patient will not be able to eat much - cold HURTS so warm tea and soup broth is generally preferred at this stage and this is generally when the patient becomes an emotional basket case, crying at the drop of a hat (which just further aggravates the throat). This stage is so disheartening and discouraging. The patient may have been in the process of trying to ween off pain meds, when all of a sudden they are hit by this awful stage. Please be very nurturing and understanding to the patient during this time - as you can imagine, there is nothing like feeling like you've had a major set back in your healing process. The good news is, this excruciating pain is a sign of healing - very gently remind the patient of this - chose your words carefully because remember, they are miserable and in agony and can be a little touchy and oversenstive - whatever you do, do not minimize their discomfort or express confusion over the sudden decline. When you have already been suffering a significant decrease in food intake, constant discomfort - ranging in moderate to severe pain, disrupted sleep and lots of potent medication, it can only be expected to be emotionally at your worse during this stage. I remember crying four times a day and just desperately wanting a 5 minute reprieve from the pain that was so extreme and was so nauseas from the lack of food and constantly tensing all my muscles in an attempt to manage the pain. RISK OF HEMMORAGING at this stage is high. Drinking water is very painful - therefore increasing the risk of dehydration and hemorraging. This is when you lay down the law and make sure the patient is drinking at 18 oz of water every hour and a half. The scabs can come off in big chunks and if the loved one bleeds more than two teaspoons, get them to emerg. ASAP. Have them spit the blood into a cup (gross I know) but the doctor will need to know how much blood has been lost. This stage feels stagnant with regard to high degree of pain - it can last around five days so brace yourself and try to remember how brutal this is for the patient. Even though the patient is aware that it gets worse before it gets better, it's still a major shock to the system when you hit rock bottom, and stay there.
Things to keep on hand and remember for STAGE TWO:
see list for stage one in addition to:
1) WATER - room temp.
2) warm tea, or broth.
3))
kleenex - for the crying
4) anti-nausea medication
5) peroxide and water - to gargle if bleeding starts, and ICE cold water to gargle to seal the wounds
6) pure oil to heat and place in the
ear canal and sealed with a cotton ball for the ear pain - which gives the
throat pain a run for its money.
7) movies
8) lots of hugs and kisses and validation of pain and discomfort.
9) keep visitors away - send a fresh bouquet of flowers to your loved one - remember this stage is extremely depressing and feels like it lasts forever.
10) let them vent their little hearts out - they need to get it out. Remember "This too shall pass in the fullness of time"
STAGE THREE - MODERATE TO MINOR PAIN AND DISCOMFORT
Day 10 (or thereabouts) - The patient tends to experience a significant improvement that almost catches them off guard on day 10 or a few days afterwards. Their hope is recharged and they feel better emotionally. They can eat more and therefore have more energy. They tend to steadily progress from this point on. Although there will continue to be some minor discomfort and possible residual affects for weeks to come. Just because the pain is gone, doesn't mean the throat is done healing.
Things to keep on hand and remember for STAGE THREE:
1) things are looking up! Keep pushing the water.
2) do not seek sex (seriously let them tell you when they're ready)
3) encourage light activity - going for a walk, etc.
Conclusion
Well, that's it folks! Obviously not a fun two weeks for anyone, but again, thank you for taking the time to read up on how to best help your loved one through this process."
