Haven't Had a Drink All Day

Joey had his inguinal hydrocelectomy today.  It was just a quick day-surgery, but boy, that last hour before he went to pre-op was one of the worst of my time here.

He hadn't had anything to drink since 8pm last night, or eat since 6pm, and as a result he was obviously upset.  I mean he was angry (and hungry and thirsty) in the morning as his siblings were tucking in to their orange juice and Cheerios while all water bottles were kept out of his reach, and angrier when he was confined to the bedroom with daddy and away from watching the others eat in the dining room.  And then when they left for school he repeatedly opened the bowl and cup drawers and signing that he wanted something to eat/drink, and getting really angry when I said no.  And clingy.  And more upset.  Which is fair enough.

Actually driving to hospital distracted him and he was on good form until about 11am (procedure was due to start at 11.40 though we didn't go down to pre-op till at least 12), but from then on, he was like a demon possessed. He was desperate for something to drink, constantly yanking at my handbag trying to get in to it, or when I had him in my arms pointing and basically begging please (in sign), totally distraught, pointing at the sink, the people walking past with their lunch, all the while signing please, please, please.  I mean I wouldn't say I'm a particularly emotional person, but your baby begging you for something, and you knowing it's just there but not being able to give it to them, or have them understand it's for their own good, is kinda upsetting.  I think in the end my obvious distress hastened our move down the hall.

When he finally came round in recovery the first thing he asked for was something to drink, and he basically drank for 3 hours non-stop.  First Pedialyte, then water, then apple juice, then more water...  After about an hour and a half he was ready for food, and was like a ravenous dog stuffing handfuls of Goldfish and then a ham sandwhich in his gob.

SO doesn't know what he's in for...

Of course despite all the drink he was reluctant to fill his nappy (in May when we were in it took him 5 hours on an IV to get rehydrated enough to pee!), but by 5pm I was ready to go, so they let us out on the condition that if he wasn't wet by bedtime we rush back to the ER for fear of a ruptured bladder.  Of course now he's filling a nappy in about 4 hours so guess they'll need changed during the night while we're boosting his pain meds.

Glads it's over though.  Just hope flying on Friday isn't going to cause any setbakcs.  Don't remember Toots flying to Paris a few days after her hernia causing any problems, but lack of memory can be a wonderful thing!  For kids as well as adults.