Wolfsons Children's Hospital
Jacksonville, FL
August 2004
Almost 400,000 children have their tonsils and adenoids removed each year in the United States. In 2004, Kellisa would be included in that number. This would be Kellisa's 14th surgery.
Kellisa needed this surgery because her tonsils and adenoids were enlarged and were thought to be the cause of her sleep apnea- loud snoring and frequent stops in breathing while sleeping. Kellisa has swallowing difficulties related to her cerebral palsy, but it was hoped that having this surgery might improve her swallowing ability. Sadly, it didn't.
Kellisa's tonsils and adenoids were removed by laser to also get the "roots" so they wouldn't be able to grow back. The recovery was normal, a couple of weeks of pain eased by chocolate pudding, ice cream etc. Most tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy stories would end here, but not Kellisa's. One of her tonsils grew back and is actually larger than it was originally. We've been told that this is impossible and every doctor who looks in her mouth asks about the giant red blob in her throat and they are always amazed when we tell them the story. Most say they've never seen anything like it, but it doesn't surprise me, that's how Kellisa rolls. Unfortunately, Kellisa still suffers from sleep apnea.
Photo Credit: Habib M’henni
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