Comments on: Painful Memories

By: KD

KD — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 03:32:28 +0000

I too get the seasonal sore throat (fall and spring), credited to my to tonsils of course. A couple of years ago I asked my doctor what it would take to remove them at my age (35 at the time). He said “Sure we could, but you might bleed to death.” Reminded me of the commercials with the prescription drugs “You will have clear skin, but may experience blindness.” Of course, I still have the tonsils.

By: michael

michael — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 04:22:15 +0000

Wow. That’s quite a photo. I have now learned never to read your blog while eating.

By: Mary Snyder

Mary Snyder — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 03:24:22 +0000

Okay since we’re all telling ‘our’ tonsil stories. I had mine out at 15yrs old. (1968) Dr Stransky in Watertown SD removed them while I sat across from him in the operating room of the local hospital. He put a blindfold like thing on my eyes so he wouldn’t accidently poke them and blind me during the procedure. I imagine people were scared and did jump, so it could’ve been a possibility. He numbed my throat and took my tonsils out while I sat there. Took a total of about 30-40 minutes. No pain, could eat without a sore throat within hours and didn’t have the effects of the anesthesia. I have never had a sore throat since. Was sick all the time before that and I am glad I had the option of staying awake and not having Vincent Price.

By: Dave B

Dave B — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 19:46:04 +0000

I had mine removed 5 years ago @ 39 yrs of age and ws back at work in 3 days and eating normally in 5…went really really well compared to the horro stories I had been hearing. Good luck.

By: Denny

Denny — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:57:23 +0000

removing tonsils as a child is not always best either—-my old mechanic George Pander had a lot of difficulty with speaking all through his life—reason is, his Dad had removed his tonsils with a pair of pliers.

By: LisaB

LisaB — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 02:01:39 +0000

Oh – how I can relate to this! I lived through years to tonsilitis as a kid. Several times a year – everyone else had strep throat, I had tonsilitis. But, I grew up in the 60′s, when they Drs said it was better to keep your tonsils if at all possible, so keep them I did. Unfortunately, they were enlarged from being infected so many times. I lived on chloraseptic back then, similar to cepacol. Not the greatest taste, but did the trick!

Then, about 5 years ago, in my mid-40′s, I had another round of tonsilitis. I headed to my Dr, who called in nurses & others to see my tonsils! They were so swollen they were blocking my airway. They couldn’t figure out how I could breathe. I think I was so used to it, I didn’t even notice. So, after the swelling went down, I went under the knife. I can speak from experience – if at all possible – don’t have this done as an adult! All the horror stories they tell are true. This really must be a surgery that’s much easier for kids. I missed nearly a month of work, and could barely swallow, let alone breathe for somewhere between 10 days and 2 weeks!

So, hang in there, Doug! I hope you are able to overcome this, as I sure wouldn’t wish that surgery on anyone.

BTW – love your column. I read it all the time, but this is the first one that I just HAD to comment on!

By: LisaB

LisaB — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 01:59:03 +0000

Then, about 5 years ago, I had another round of tonsilitis. I headed to my Dr, who called in nurses & others to see my tonsils! They were so swollen they were blocking my airway. They couldn’t figure out how I could breathe. I think I was so used to it, I didn’t even notice. So, after the swelling went down, I went under the knife. I can speak from experience – if at all possible – don’t have this done as an adult! All the horror stories they tell are true. This really must be a surgery that’s much easier for kids. I missed nearly a month of work, and could barely swallow, let alone breathe for somewhere between 10 days and 2 weeks!

By: Hemmingsen

Hemmingsen — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:20:43 +0000

I had mine out when I was 12…and kept them in a jar. I don’t recommend surgery at this late date if you can avoid it.

By: L McKinney

L McKinney — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 03:38:50 +0000

Hope you are feeling better soon

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:08:26 +0000

Fifty seven years ago at age five, my tonsils were removed. I was held down and a cloth was placed over my face while drops of ether made me pass out. Obviously it made a life long impression as I remember it as if it was a couple of years ago. I think an ice cold Tuaca would have done just as well had I waited and delayed the procedure. I think my anesthesiologist was Vincent Price.