Worth The Fight
Entry From June 12th, 2021
About yesterday….
Little man had surgery to have tubes put in, a decision I agonized over for far too long after a year of back-to-back ear infections. Needless to say, it's done and I really do think it was our best option after exhausting all other all-natural approaches and remedies. At every point in his medical care I have been fighting for the cleanest, most "natural" approach possible, and that was tested to the extreme yesterday.
I knew what decisions I wanted to make yesterday for him, and was armed and ready with my arguments, should I need them. Thankfully I was prepared, though I had really hoped it wouldn't come to that. But I wanted to share with all of you the choices I fought for and why they were worth fighting for in my opinion.
I asked for him to not receive any Tylenol or acetaminophen. I’m not a total monster and I knew my kid would be in pain. By no means do I want him to suffer because of my principles, so I simply asked for dye-free Motrin instead. Tylenol (the go-to recommendation for kid's medical procedures & typically recommended after your child receives vaccines) depletes the body's glutathione, which is your body's most important antioxidant. Depleted glutathione weakens your immune system and allows toxins (like anesthesia) a straight shot to your brain. Something by the way the doctor didn't know and looked at me like I was crazy when I very articulately expressed.
As part of their procedure, they usually provide Versed (a drug used to relax or put them to sleep before receiving anesthesia). I declined. Was then given a small lecture about how it makes it better and less traumatic for the child since they will be separated from me. Here is the thing, my kid has a trauma history so I'm acutely aware of what is trauma producing and what is not. My child not being able to eat yesterday morning was way more trauma-inducing than a nurse very lovingly taking him from me yesterday to take him to the operating room. I hugged him, he said "bye-bye" and he blew me a kiss and that was it. The reason I declined was twofold. First off, it was an unnecessary medication. Second, it was glowing with red dye. When I asked if they had a dye-free option, I was told there was a nasal spray version, then the nurse told me the anesthesiologist said he wouldn't do that option. She then told me there was a shot version and would ask him. At this point, the anesthesiologist came back into the room and literally said "so what's the problem?" I explain that my child has had no exposure to dye and he isn't going to start today. He tells me the risk of an allergy to red dye is rare and mostly a made-up thing. He tells me he won't provide us the other options so I decline, AGAIN. He tells me the dyed medication is standard. I reiterate again that my child has had no exposure to dye. And get this you guys his response: "That’s impossible, it's in everything, if he has standard products he has dye" I respond: "That’s exactly my point, we don't use standard products". At this point I then requested a different anesthesiologist. This guy was annoyed with me and I wasn't about to have him in charge of my child.
I asked for him to be given water and water only. The options they presented for immediately after surgery were juice, Pedialyte, or Gatorade followed by Goldfish as his first food. All of which I politely declined and explained that I brought food with me to provide for him. Water, oat milk, a banana, and a pb&j sandwich.
Immediately following the procedure, I was met with another nurse who "highly recommended" I give him Pedialyte to "recover" with. I once again asked for just water. (This interaction of course took place while my child was coming out of anesthesia and crying as I've never heard, so that seems fair right?) First off his electrolytes aren't drastically depleted after no food for half a day, second, the banana, water and pb&j would balance out his blood sugar and any electrolytes out of whack with actual food. She was offended when I declined the Goldfish (which contains MSG). The said nurse then proceeded to give him his dose of Motrin before we were discharged, I reminded her I requested dye-free and the one she had was not. She said it would take a while if they had to call up to the pharmacy for it (mind you it was requested 3 hours prior). I explained I had some with me and asked if I could give that instead. All huffy and puffy that she had to look up the dosage, she reluctantly agreed. Ps: I packed my own in fear that they wouldn't have a dye-free option.
Here is the takeaway from all of these seemingly small antidotal things: The child goes in for surgery. They are given Tylenol which depletes their glutathione, increasing the absorption of toxins. Then they are given toxins…lots of them. Red dye, narcotic drugs, anesthesia, more Tylenol with more dye, topped off with more dye, artificial sweeteners, and sugar, and then sprinkled with MSG. And that folks is our healthcare system…for children! If you aren't appalled, you should be. I know I am.
I'm thankful I was able to advocate for my child. Thankful for the knowledge and education. Thankful for the confidence. But here's the thing, I shouldn't have to. My opinion and choices should be respected and they weren't. So while I was trying to comfort my child and coping with my own mom fears and worries about my child yesterday, I had to fight with doctors and nurses each step of the way for things that I shouldn't have to. Some of those things are just lack of education which is sad, and some things like giving a kid Versed, make a doctor's job easier and that's why it's pushed. No matter what the reason, it's not ok. I was able to advocate for my child but, how many parents aren't? How many parents try to speak up and are bullied back into submission? Because I can promise you they tried and failed. This momma wasn't backing down.
So today while we detox our little guy with lots of fresh fruits and veggies, vitamins, water, herbs, and Epsom salt baths, I want to share my story. Maybe one parent learned something from this and then it was all worth it. But I also want to encourage parents to speak up! Let your voice be heard, no matter what the circumstance. Doctors don't always know best. They aren't always right, and at the end of the day, your health care and your childs’ is your decision, don't let anyone else make it for you.