The dreaded surgery
Well, lets start with a little background. Levi had developed a large cyst when we were living in Florida April 2016. At first, we suspected an infected lymph node after an URI. At that time, we took him to the ER where I (Adrian) was working and with the help of some people we got an ultrasound. The results were not to specific other than we know it was a cystic structure with some vessels. Well, we put him on oral antibiotics and after seeing a pediatric ENT it was determined that it was a thyroglossal duct cyst. This is basically a remnant tissue of the thyroid gland as it descends from the brain to the normal location of the thyroid (mid neck) during fetal development. The reason why some people have remnants of this tissue, that can form a cyst, is unknown. The general agreement is that it is important to surgically remove them. Well, I was not super thrilled about putting Levi through a surgery as this involved general anesthesia and a pretty good size dissection of the cyst through the musculature of the neck. For the next 18 months or so, we simply put it off. He was perfectly normal and 1-2 times per year, it would get infected. It would increase in size, become very red and tender and then I would have to put him on oral antibiotics.
So this year, we decided to go through the surgery and get the cyst removed while he is young. We have good insurance and we have access to good medical care here in NY. I took him to the surgery while Tammy stayed at home with Malachi and Maya. The process was pretty standard and what I feared. Long time waiting, very controlled environment, tons of people, hospital stay, drain, etc etc. The surgery was a complete success and we are very thankful for the doctor and the blessing to have Levi do so good.
The crazy part of the story was the 38 hr stay a the hospital. First we had to share the room with 3 other patients (4 total in one room), it was super noisy, very disrupting, just awful. By the next morning I was too tired to think and very upset at the hospital setting. I just can't understand how some of the hospital "rules" benefit the overall experience of the patient. Well, I am not sure if it worth writing more about this as it was basically the worse hospital stay ever. The true trooper was Levi who did wonderful and was a champ the whole time. As long as he could watch tv he did ok overall.
Heading in to the OR.
After surgery.
Here is a close up of his drain
The next day he came home. Very happy to be out of the hospital. Mild pain.
His school teacher was so great and accommodating. She sent him a care package with a note from all his classmates and new books to read and stickers to enjoy.
