World of Autism

Lucas had his wisdom teeth removed this past Monday.  We’ve spent the week helping him cope with the pain, swelling, stiches, and other things that come with having wisdom teeth removed.

 This episode of Lucas’ life began back in February, when we first began dealing with the idea of autism and oral surgery.  

Poor Lucas was very nervous about having his wisdom teeth removed.  We tried to reassure him that most people have this surgery, and that while it might hurt for a little while afterwards, he got to eat ice cream and pudding all week.

A few days before the surgery, we took him to the hospital for his “pre-surgical” exam.

Everyone there was very nice.  After they examined him and took blood samples, they used a notebook with photographs showing what would happen to him on Monday morning. 

They showed him the mask they would use over his nose and mouth, and let him feel the tube that would be in his hand when he awoke (it was soft and flexible instead of “needle-like”).  They let him see the nightgown he would wear, and told  him that Mom and Dad would be at his side when he woke up. 

So far, so good.

THEN…they explained that when it was time to leave after the surgery, he would be taken down to the car in a wheelchair.  And Lucas freaked out.

It turned out that Lucas was terrified of the idea of riding in that wheelchair.  He attends a school for severely disabled children, and the only people he’s ever seen in wheelchairs never leave those chairs!

Poor Lucas thought that after the surgery, he wouldn’t be able to walk any more because they said he would ride in a wheelchair down to the car! 

Of course, once we understood his fear, we assured him that he wouldn’t need to use the wheelchair once he left the hospital.  The staff helped on the day of surgery, too, telling him very seriously that he could only use the wheelchair to go to the car, and then he was to send it right back to them.

The surgery went fine, and Lucas remembered to ask for the teeth so he could put them under his pillow.  He’s had pain and swelling, and been a little out of sorts this week.  He’s lived on pudding cups and ice cream, and by Thursday was eating egg noodles.  He’s rinsed with salt water and taken his antibiotics.  We figured out by Tuesday afternoon that when he put his head down, he was in pain and needed the pain medication his surgeon prescribed. 

His birthday is tomorrow, and he wants to try pizza for dinner tonight.  I hope he can eat it, because he deserves pizza after this week!

And yes, he left that wheelchair at the hospital!

Tags: Daily life //