Indecision makes me feel unsettled. I wish I could tell you what we are gonna do about LJ's cavities but we don't seem to have a clear solution. We met with the pulmonologist last week who expressed concern for LJ's airway being compromised if we get his cavities filled under some sort of sedative (eg valium or ativan). He could aspirate if he's too conked out and unable to swallow his own secretions (which means it would go to his lungs and he could develop pneumonia).
Two cavities!! That's all we're talking about here. Seems so ridiculous that two measly little cavities could stir up so much controversy at the home-front. He is only 3 so I'll have to give him that.
That said, its all or nothing. We either try to get him strapped into a papoose board (think straight jacket) and go cold turkey without anything to calm him down in the regular dentist office setting & pray that we can talk to him and keep him calm enough that he won't aspirate on his own secretions. (I'm making Josh take the morning off to help out with the hysteria.) The alternative seems to be to have it done under general anesthesia at a different, private office where the dentist has the resources to protect kids like LJ with potential airway issues. Unfortunately, as we love our pediatric dentist, they don't have much experience with kids like LJ. We've got a consult appointment with Office #2. There's still the chance that they may see LJ and recommend the procedure be done as an outpatient at the hospital.
I have an appointment for Office #1 to try cold turkey next Friday, March 16th. And back up plan A is to book an appointment at Office #2 to try under general anesthesia. Plan B, Children's Hospital. Who knows what to do? Who knows what to do? "We're going on a bear hunt. We're going to catch a big one. What a beautiful day! We're not scared....We can't go over it. We can't go under it. Oh no! We've got to go through it!" ~ Michael Rosen
PS My dad is doing well. He has a follow up appointment with the Orthopod today! He might be going home on Thursday. Big sigh of relief.
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