Andy's Eye Surgery


Andy has had teary eyes from the time he was about 1 1/2 years old. It is kind of unusual for kids that age to develop this condition; usually it's newborns, and it's resolved by the time they're a year old. Anyways, Andy's eyes seemed to be getting a little worse every year, so the doctor suggested it be corrected with a small procedure. Basically, they clean the tear draining holes (I don't know the proper terminology, but I do know there are two per eye!) with a small wire then put silicone tubes in them to keep them open and knot them together in his sinus cavity.


So, today was the big day. We woke up a little earlier than normal to get to Emmanuel Hospital which, incidentally, is the hospital I was born in! We checked in and got Andy all ready in his hospital pajamas. He loved the cool bed with the warm blankets, but he especially loved the TV on the ceiling. I knew that he was scared (because he would whisper it to me every so often) but he was so brave whenever the nurses asked him to do something. They gave him some medicine to make him sleepy, and then I said good-bye and they wheeled him off to the operating room.


I tried not to imagine worst-case scenarios as I waited, and fortunately I didn't have to wait long. Dr. Goodman came in to get me after about half an hour and everything went very well. Andy was kind of freaking out when I went into the recovery room, but he was still pretty drugged out. Once he calmed down a bit, I carried him all the way back to another recovery room (it was really far, and that kid is HEAVY!) and he was much happier once the TV was on again, and he got a popsicle for his troubles.

Fast forward a few hours, and you would never know he had surgery this morning. He's upstairs playing with Caleb and Jakey, and aside from the occasional bloody nose, no worse for the wear. Well, there are those pesky tubes in his eyes. If only he would stop picking at them; hopefully they'll stay in there for the next six months!

(you may have to click on the picture to see up close)

Posted in: on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at at 3:28 PM  

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous On January 28, 2009 at 6:37 PM Wrote

    Man, I don't know how you did it Anna... I got a bit teary just reading your blog! I can't imagine the day I have to take my little guy to the hospital even if the doctors say they know what they are doing!!!! You are a very strong (and amazing) mom!
    Peggy

     
  2. Basking in the Son On January 30, 2009 at 11:43 AM Wrote

    It just about broke my heart to read how he would whisper to you!

     
  3. Anonymous On February 3, 2009 at 9:45 AM Wrote

    Grandma finally got around to reading this!! You are both BRAVE!! Thanks for sharing.. and if there is ever a next time maybe Grandma can come with!

     
  4. Anonymous On February 28, 2009 at 10:12 AM Wrote
    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.  

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