Could this be from iron pills?

[flowerpower]

Need some advice - last night before bed, Joseph brought to my attention to a swollen gland in his neck that wasn't there before. It's not a gland under the jaw that would indicate a sore throat, but rather on the side of his neck. It's painful to touch, and I thought there was another gland on the other side of his neck that felt somewhat swollen, but that one did not hurt. I went ahead and sent him to school and may take him to get checked out at urgent care later if it does not go down or get bigger. Did anyone's child have anything similar to this and could it be from the iron pills he started taking this week? I'm feeling a little frantic right now, we don't need this on top of everything else.......

Thanks,

Renee

[Carmell]

Hi Renee,

If you are talking about a swollen gland under the ear (and behind a little) I personally had this happen in September this year. I felt like I looked like Frankenstein! I went to the doc thinking it was an infection, but he (the doc) told me it was a virus - an adult version of the mono virus. Great, NOT. The swollen glands that are sore to the touch are likely infected and may need antibiotics to clear up completely. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue (walking a short flight of stairs is exhausting) etc.

Good luck!

[flowerpower]

Thanks, that's what I'm afraid of. I called the ortho's office this morning, who referred me to the blood bank, who referred me to our pediatrician (who I should have called in the first place, stupid me) our pediatrician's office didn't return my call unitl 5pm and by then Joe and his dad are already on their way to urgent care. What made me question it was he has no other sypmtoms, when he was sick before he was tired, ran a fever, etc. He just recently had strep throat + 1 relapse; don't know what a possible 3rd round of antib's will do to his immune system, kinda worries me about post-op recovery or if surgery may be put off? Oh well, I'll just wait til they get home and we'll take it from there.

Renee

[nikyergen]

Renee,
Keep us posted on your son. I am praying that he will be alright and that his surgery will go as scheduled. I am so sorry you got the run around (I guess not run around) from the Dr. Office's. Everyone wants you to talk to someone else, and then it takes forever before you get an answer that is so terribly needed. What I try to do is kind of catagorize Crystal's medical needs. She has severe asthma, glomular nephritis, scoliosis/kyphosis and foot deformities, and general health. I take her to her asthma specialist for asthma and colds, her nephrologist for anything pertaining to her kidneys and urinary track, her ortho surgeon for anything to do with her bones, and her GP for all those other things that don't have a specialist for her yet (and hopefully won't have any more). It's hard to keep it sorted out sometimes, but it does save me a lot of headache on who I need to call for what. It took me a long time to figure it out. It didn't happen over night. I kept getting referred from one doctor to the other, and I finally figured out who to call for what.

Hang in there. I think you are doing a great job. The thought of surgery is enough stress, and then add the stress of trying to keep your son healthy for surgery is a whole new story. Crystal almost didn't get her surgery because she kept gettig the creeping crud at school. Finally took her out of school three weeks before surgery to get her healthy and keep her healthy. I don't suggest that option, but it is an option.

Keep us posted.

With prayers,
Nikki

[flowerpower]

Thanks Nikki,

Well, it is strep again, so another round of antibiotics There's alot of bad stuff going around here right now, at younger son's elementary school class last week we got a notice that strep and chicken pox are going around. With 3 kids at 3 different schools we are getting exposed to quite a bit, but Joseph seems to be the one hardest hit, still can't believe strep again The doc he saw last night told my hubby that Joseph should be ok to give blood today and even though the virus may be in this unit of blood, when surgery time comes they pump them up with so many antibiotics that even if the virus is introduced back into his system it should get knocked back down by the antibiotics. I don't know, will call the blood bank about that before our appt. today. Oh yeah, another thing doctor suggested was maybe having Joseph's tonsills removed since he has been sick so much lately. My immediate thought was "ok, this is starting to sound like getting the car tuned up"! Wonder how Dr. Newton would feel about removing tonsills while he's "under the hood"

I hope Joseph won't have to miss school as finals are coming up, he would'nt be happy about that. But Monday we have our appt. with the surgical coordinator for the hospital tour so I'll get her opinion and I will also talk to the school nurse on Monday.

Thanks again for the advice and words of encouragement. Helps me keep my head on straight Hope you have a good day!

Renee

[nikyergen]

Renee,
I know how stressful it is for you right now. Been there, done that. Hang in there. A year from now you will sit and ponder the problems with you son being sick before surgery and wonder how you survived the whole thing.

For the three weeks before Crystal's surgery, when we kept her home, I limited her friends that came to visit her and had strict rules when they did come. If they had the slightest sniffle, they could visit, but had to keep their distance. The boyfriend wasn't happy at all. I wouldn't even let him kiss her on the cheek or take her on a date during that time. But, I am very glad I did it. Paid off in the end.

It was interesting to hear you mention tonsils. I was thinking about that the other day with our girls. All three of them, along with their dad, still have their tonsils. The only one that usually has gets very sick is Crystal. But, she doesn't have a problem with Strep. Her problem is usually colds that attach the lungs, because of her asthma.

Things will get easier. I know you are concerned about your son being sick, but take care of yourself too. Nothing worse than mom being sick during something like this. I don't know about your house, mom still has to take care of everyone when she is sick. And, who takes care of mom, MOM. So, make sure you are eating good and getting plenty of rest, you will need all the energy you have at the hospital.

Lots of prayers,
Nikki

[flowerpower]

Well, I called the blood bank yesterday morning. The nurse said,"absolutely no blood can be donated until 24 hrs. after the last dose of medication and he has to be virus free. Otherwise, it would be like giving him a "bag of bacteria" (that's what I was thinking also). That is their criteria and they are also governed by the FDA.

Now we will need to have family donate and hopefully Joseph will be able to donate 1 unit when he is well, which would put him donating blood 6 days before his surgery. Will talk all this over with surgical coordinator at our appt. tomorrow. Just thought I would post the above info in case it would be helpful to anyone.

Take Care All,

Renee

[nikyergen]

Renee, I am so glad you called the blood bank. I was shocked the doctor told your husband and son what he did. Like you, I felt why would you even want to reinfect him like that. I am also glad that your son should be better by surgery time. Maybe sometime in the future the tonsils will need to come out, but you can still get strep without tonsils. Keep us posted on how you are doing as you get closer to surgery. We are all here for you.

Nikki

[flowerpower]

Thanks alot, Nikki. Yes, I was really surprised the doctor said it was still ok to give blood, it just didn't sound right. I told the surgical coordinator at the hospital tour today and she said that's why they defer all questions regarding blood to the blood bank; they have their own very strict criteria that has to be followed.

The hospital tour went way better than I expected. I was such an emotional wreck over the weekend I didn't think I would be able to hold up very well. My saving grace was all the information I learned here; I was very prepared and pretty much knew what to expect. We saw the surgery & recovery area, patient rooms, waiting area; saw a model of the spine with the instrumentation, and the various equipment Joseph would be hooked up to. The real surprise was the surgical coordinator was the one who got really teary towards the end of the visit! That almost set me off, but I was able to hold it together. Joseph was pretty quiet as was to be expected, but he asked a couple of questions here and there, main concern was being put out so he wouldn't feel anything. I think we are getting to that point where you just want to get it over with! Like our dr. said to us the last time we saw him, "the "before" part of the surgery is the hardest, and that's the one part I can't do anything about".

So now the countdown begins. Lots to do with school finals, Christmas preparations but it is also keeping us very busy, which is good right now. I am grateful to everyone for all the good info, advice and support posted here, its helped me this far and will carry me through surgery and beyond. Take care everyone, will post more later.

Renee

[nikyergen]

Renee, If it is any consolation, the "before" surgery is the very hardest. If it makes you feel better, you are being very normal. I used to cry after the kids were off to school and my husband was at work. I just about had a nervous breakdown last winter over the whole thing. I finally had to stand back, put it in God's hands, and learn to deal with it. My 17 year old daughter was being way stronger than I was. She would hear me crying at night after everyone was in bed and come out and hold me. Sometimes she would call me into her room and we would lay in her bed talking about it. She kept telling me "Let go, let God." Hard thing to do.

The day before surgery was Crystal's worst day. We had to leave Sunday, her pre-op stuff was all done on Monday, with surgery on Tuesday. Dr. Krajbich sensed Crystal's fears and talked directly to her. He was sure to answer all her questions, along with the anesthesiologist, and various other techs. Crystal's biggest concern was being sure that she was put out and wouldn't know a thing going on. She was afraid she might wake up in the middle of surgery and something horrible would happen. They were all so reassuring to her.

We are all here for you and praying.
Nikki

[flowerpower]

Yeah Nikki, this was sort of a "breakthrough" weekend for me. After crying pretty much all weekend I had a prayer/talk with God and put it all in his hands. He helped us find our good doctor and hospital and I know He will watch over Joseph as he goes through this. I felt somewhat calmer yesterday and today and was the one reassuring the anxious grandparents. I am kind of worried about my hubby's parents, they are both up there in age and have heart problems. My mother-in-law actually had a mild heart attack during their Thanksgiving get-together so I try to be as calm and upbeat as I can. Joseph is quiet, but is ok with it. He is able to "see down the road" and realizes it will improve his quality of life as an adult, as well as now. Will keep in touch, better get up off this chair and make some phone calls. Take care -

Renee

[Laura P]

Right with you

Renee,
We are scheduled three days before youall on Dec. 16 in B'ham, AL. We just got back from our preop day and everything went well. Scheduled for T-2 to L-1 posterior fusion. I am with you on the nerves issue. I do good but just cry at the drop of a hat. Just can't wait to be on the other side with everyone else. Hope your sons infection is better. That is one thing our doctor told us today that we would have to post pone if she gets sick between now and then. Our daughter is 17 and has her finals too. She is able to take them early so she is done before break. Keep us up to date as we will with youall. Prayers are with youall and everyone else on here. I too am doing alot of talking to God and turning it over to him.

Laura P

[nikyergen]

Renee, I am glad you are letting things go. It is hard to put things we want to control in God's hands. You already know He helped you find the best doctor and hospital for your son. He will also help you take care of your in-laws as the surgery comes to a close. He will help your mother-in-law have the strength she needs to get through this with you.

Laura P, Crying at the drop of a hat is perfectly normal. Especially if someone should just look at you wrong. You are tired and trying to keep everyone pleased and happy. Take care of yourself too.

To all of you waiting for surgery, right now is an important time keeping your kids healthy. It may one of the most difficult things you have tried to achieve in a few days/weeks. I found the biggest thing is to have them keep their hands clean at home and most importantly at school.

You all will make it. It will be done and over with before you know it. I know I wondered why I got so worried before hand, once my daughter was safely back in her room. Today, I just want to be a reassurance everything will be okay and you are all very normal moms.

Love & prayers,
Nikki

[flowerpower]

Thanks again Nikki, any kind word helps so much. Hope all goes well for you and your daughters.

Laura, I will be thinking of any praying for you and your daughter that Friday. We will be finishing up our final lab work and PFT that day. Good thing Joseph's vacation starts that day, hopefully we can get those things done extra early, I'd like to plan something really fun for him. Your daughter is fortunate she can take her finals early, for some reason they do not allow it here. But one of Josephs teachers mentioned that grades can be changed 3 weeks into the new semester and those rules may be flexible when major surgery is involved. Hope so as this will help a great deal. Joseph already has at least 1 assignment to make up still and he will miss his biology final on the 13th when we have our last pre-op appt. Hope all goes well with you these last few days and your daughter stays healthy for surgery. Take care everyone,

Renee

[AnnLF]

Renee and Laura,

These last few days are the hardest on the nerves, but try to keep busy with inane things...I found it actually kept me from over-focusing on the surgery. My daughter had hers on Nov. 30 and the days leading up to it were incredibly hard. Go see a silly movie, go the mall, read junky celebrity magazines...The magic word there is junky. (I don't normally give a hoot about Jessica and Nick, but it was a mindless diversion.) I'm a huge reader of books, but I found them to be of no help. Don't try to do anything that takes much concentration.

I'll be praying for both your kids -- Joseph -- and what's your daughter's name, Laura? My daughter is 17 also -- she was the biggest kid in pediatric intensive care!

Keep signing on to this website. The folks who gather here are amazing -- particularly Nikki who is a source of great information and emotional support. It was such a comfort. And that's really what you need most these days.

Keeping you all in my prayers, Ann