Tomorrow, about five hours from now, my daughter will have a minor operation, an adenoidectomy and tubes inserted in her tympanic membranes to treat acute otitis media.
The odds are far and away in her favor, overwhelmingly even.
Still, I can’t stop worrying. I fear for her.
I am known as unflappable, but this has me humbled. Anybody got a good word on this? I could use the help.
Try to put the numbers into perspective. Whatever they are really think about them.
What are the odds of getting into a car accident? They’re worse than when you fly.
Other than that… hang in there 
Thanks, OG. I know these things intellectually, but somehow it doesn’t matter. I’ll try again to put it back in perspective.
Once again, thanks!
QK
Man, don’t do it. Adenoids are an important component in protecting our bodies against toxins. Will only cause problems later in life. Look into alternative methods of treating her Quiz.
Sincerely,
A
Believe me Angel, I looked. I talked with doctors, researched articles and then journals. This was in fact one of my prime concerns. The first question I asked the doctor was “Will this have a long term affect on her immune function?” (No, really. I have had a modicum of medical training, and this time it served me well.) But research shows that this is by a wide measure her best option, even in the long run. Doesn’t make it easy.
Thanks, LA.
QK
Ok, if you feel this is the best option. But you are going to have to watch her diet very carefully. Give her pure organic food especially milk, it should be raw (unpasturised) organic if possible or leave it out completely, fresh veggies, stay away from processed foods, give her as much whole food as possible and as little meat as possible. Give her nuts and fruits and grains to strengthen her immune system now at the early growing stages it’s very important. Foods can cause irreversable damage.
A
Thanks, LA. I do go as organic and fresh as I can afford. I’m about to start a new job, substantial raise, so I should be able to go more organic.
Got any good quinoa recipes?
Actually, I’m gonna retire. I can finally get some sleep, however little.
Thanks, LA.
Namaste,
QK
HI Quizkid, I’m not religious, but I have a suspicion that on a scientific/quantum level, we help to create what is around us. I wont go into it here except to say that ultimately, everything and everyone is energy – in different configurations – and thus on a very profound level, we’re all linked.
So I visualise the positive outcome I want to see occur, over and over until I feel my anxiety fade away. I actually ‘feel’ the person receive the calming thoughts and healing energy; not just think it. Whether it be through prayer, meditation, visualisation or any other method, I personally think you MUST send out good thoughts… otherwise your anxiety is sending out fearful ‘vibes’ automatically.
This might be all bunk, but making yourself feel at peace, and sending loving thoughts to your child, can’t do anyone any harm. Even placebos work. 
(I’ll have a little meditation/prayer for your daughter ) 
Bloody hippy!
A
I’m only kidding, that’s very kind of you KM and I believe it will work.
Quiz, as far as recipes go, I’m not really the recipe kind of girl, Bessy is your girl for that, I’m very simple with my diet. However, there is one dish that I love that is quinoa and puy lentils with butternut and runner beans and any other veggies you care to add, maybe cherrie tomatoes. Steam your veggies, cook your lentils in a little water, when they are almost done add your quinoa and your veggies, add a little olive oil and tamari (don’t forget the tamari) and viola! Shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes to cook.
A
Keep up hopes. I’ll keep your daughter in my prayers.
Hey,
Wish I didn’t sound like such a know it all here, but two of my kids had this and they were FINE. It is needed or she will suffer endlessly with painful ear infections. LA, please don’t give advice like that if you haven’t had any experience. I think your nutrition advice is sound, but in this case the doctors know what they are doing. Holistic stuff is very good, but not to the extent of ignoring doctor’s advice. I was raised by a crazy Christian Scientist mother and my brother has hearing loss from his ears being ignored.
Voice of experience
She will be fine. The docs do them hundreds of times a day. Hang in there. Parenting is a bitch, huh?
Actually Bess, I do have experience. I’m living proof, mine were removed for the very same reasons as a child. In fact my tonsils were also removed and I still suffer because of it.
Ever done a fast or a detox? You would be surprised at the amount of toxins that collect in my glands because there are no tonsils. And Bess, I eat a very healthy diet, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, generally I am healthier than most, but I do have problems. The adenoids are not the problem, there are other ways of treating these issues. I’m not saying that allopathy is not useful, it has it’s place, I’m just saying that there if there is a problem, there is an underlying issue, our desire to cut out whatever is affected is indicative of our society who refuse to deal with health at a base level…you know, treat the cause not the symptom.
If we were supposed to live without our adenoids we would have been born without them. There is a great misconception that we do not need them. We need them.
I would definitely have preferred to keep my tonsils and my adenoids as a child. My parents of course, knowing what they know now (my mother is a herbalist) would certainly not have consented to taking them out had they known what they know now.
A
Well then,
I didn’t mean to sound disrespectful, but I think the natural stuff can be taken to extreme. Also, he has obviously made his decision to give her the surgery and to scare him seemed excessive.
Mummy is living with me now, so I am more than a little edgy. Sorry to have jumped on it so fast without considering your personal plight in it.
Sara
Bess,
Thank you.
Forgive me, but I really need to point something out here.
I think the establishment needs to be questioned. I think that we have indeed strayed far from reality when we believe that we are capable of outwitting Mother Nature. Let me be very clear: I feel that allopathy most certainly has a place and that allopathic doctors have saved many people’s lives. But, to give our innate wisdom away to a profession that uses chemicals and knives to ‘heal’ is a grave mistake. Many people who have gone against their ‘doctors’ advice’ to cut out the offending body part have in fact healed themselves from all sorts of issues.
With regards to the adenoids, one of the treatments that I can attest to is tuberculinum, a homeopathic remedy. Given in weekly doses almost always cures the underlying causes of adenoids (and tonsils) inflamation. If tuberculinum does not fit the picture of the patient there are a number of other treatments.
hpathy.com/diseases/adenoids … t-cure.asp
Homeopathy is not the only way to do it either. There are a number of treatments which are gentle that will help balance the cells in the body.
But hey, don’t take my word for it. Investigate - and with investigation you will find that many established beliefs need to be re-considered.
A
I actually think that both of you are right.
It’s a case of knowing what the natural flux of the organ is and if it has become too broken to work. For instance, I have no idea what is natural behavior for those body parts because most people have had them removed. So, what does it mean when they just act up versus become dangerous?
I suppose it’s a gamble.
Quiz,
Chill, and don’t make the kid nervous.
Trust me, hon… you are preaching to the choir. I just needed to rant about (1) tubes in the ears (2) questioning the judgement of a parent who has already made his decision in which case… I suggest an encouraging word.
(that’s all)
Yes, I aware of families that let their herbal hopes bring disaster. On the flip side I’m not always trusting of doctors.
As in all things… balance.
Reminds me of a great scene from the West Wing:
TOBY
Uh, Mr. President? Could you point me in the right direction on something? One of the vets
who was here has a buddy whose wheelchair’s falling apart. Who can get something done
overnight at Medicaid?
BARTLET
Ah, Toby. We’ve gotta straighten out Medicaid.
TOBY
Yeah.
BARTLET
You know, after the Civil War, veterans had to come to D.C. to get their pensions? They had
to visit the office personally. They waited for a clerk to look through all the Civil War
records until their papers were found. You know what their papers were bound with?
TOBY
No.
BARTLET
Red tape. That’s where it comes from.
TOBY
I didn’t know that.
TOBY
Thank you, sir. [exits]
BARTLET
What’s next?
He looks up at Charlie, who is staring at him.
BARTLET
What?
CHARLIE
You know, sir, that story about red tape and Medicaid was interesting, but…
BARTLET
What? [checks his watch and walks over to Charlie]
CHARLIE
Nothing. I’m sorry, you’ve got economic advisors in the Roosevelt Room.
BARTLET
It was interesting, but what?
CHARLIE
But the man just wanted a wheelchair. Toby’s trying to get him a wheelchair.
Our thoughts are with you and your daughter Quizkid. I hope it all goes to plan.
- ben