Justin's Eye Operation

Justin went for an eye operation to remove a stye in his left eye today. It started 3 weeks ago with redness in his eye, 2 days later his eyes began to swell and the doctor prescribed him some eye drops and antibiotic cream. The swell and redness subsided but the lump on his upper eye lid was still there. After a second around of antibiotic treatment, the doctor set a date to surgically remove the stye.

Removing a stye for an adult would be easily done at the doctor's clinic using local anesthesia, but because he was a kid, general anesthesia was required. The procedure consists of making a small incision on the inner eyelid and draining the pus out of the gland using a curette. The doctor recommended a thorough check on both eyes since he was on GA.

Waiting for the nurse

We were at Mt Alvernia Hospital 6:45am for registration. There were already many people in line for surgery that day.

Walking to the operation theatre

Outside the theatre

I had to change to hospital clothes to accompany him into the theatre. Notice the two white masking tape above his eye brows? That indicates that both his eyes are going to be operated on. Was he scared? He said he was, yet he was still in a jovial mood. Maybe because mummy was there with him.

At 8:20am, we went into the operating room with the opthalmogist and anesthetist. Justin was carried up to bed, the anesthetist reassured him, and put the gas on. A bit of struggle when the anesthetic gas was taking effect but after 25 seconds he was knocked out. I left the room to wait outside the surgery ward.

At 8:35am, he was pushed out. He was already conscious and the nurse told me to hold his hands to prevent him from touching his eyes. Justin was tearing and saying that it was very itchy and painful. We went back to the bed rest area.

My poor darling. His left eye was patched but I could see blotches of newly dried blood on the cotton pad. His right eye was also swollen, and tearing a lot. I had to constantly tell him not to touch his eyes. "Itchy, ...... painful ......" . The only thing I could do was to dab his tears and assure him that everything would be alright after awhile. He was in pain for about half an hour.

In pain

After 15 mins, the second patient was pushed in. The 3 year old girl who underwent a similar operation was screaming and crying her lungs out. It must be very painful for the kids after the anesthesia wears out. She cried non-stop for half an hour, refused everything that her parents did. My brave boy had stopped tearing by then.

Drinking some water

He felt much better after drinking water and started to respond to my jokes. A sigh of relief.

Back to himself

He was so hungry after fasting for the surgery that he finished the whole bowl of porridge very quickly. After resting for awhile, he requested for more food and I gave him some raisin bread.

No porridge left

Resting

Hungry

The doctor came to check on him at 10:45am and Justin was discharged. He is resting at home now. Hopefully, he will feel better tomorrow.