I had frequent strep/tonsillitis while growing up. But I was an Air Force brat. So every time I’d show up in the clinic they would say, “Can’t operate, he’s too sick.” If I wasn’t sick, it was, “No need to operate, there’s nothing wrong.”<><><>I’m 56 and I still have my tonsils.
I had my tonsils out in 1945 (3 years old) and spent 5 days in the hospital. My wife had hers out in 1952 (5 years old) and spent 3 days in the hospital. Our grandson had his out in 2004 (6 years old). It was a half-hour procedure in the doctor’s office and he went home an hour later. The miracles of modern science!
I was 5. In the early ’60s they used ether.In the deep, velvety black unconscious, I saw a beautiful dragon. I could see the black velvet through it, though every scale & detail was outlined in fiery green.The ice cream was okay, but I wanted hot, spicy spaghetti.
Tonsillectomies aren’t commonly performed anymore and have nothing to do with strep throat… we now know that the tonsils are involved with the immune system, so they actually help you ‘get cured’. If this was a real situation “Scott” was in, he needs a new doctor. If he made it up for the comic, he needs to catch up on the science, because it actually makes it not all that funny. “Most of my tonsillectomy patients are 5 years old” would have been a good punchline in 1970, but now it’s just “huh? 5-year-olds don’t get unnecessary surgery all the time like that…”
I may be one of the few baby boomers who survived tonsillitis fully intact. It was in the early ‘60s, and my pediatrician didn’t believe in tonsillectomies. I had several days of gargling with salt water (my mother’s favorite home remedy for sore throats) and a missed birthday party, but I still have my tonsils.
I had to have mine taken out this year (I’m 43), after my sixth bout of pneumonia in four years, which was related to the chronic tonsillitis I’d been suffering since I was 33 or so.I’ll spare the gross details, but the doctor agreed with my self-diagnosis of the causal relationship- and that my tonsillitis (after 10 years) was beyond the point where antibiotics would be effective, since that’s how every other doctor I’d seen in the previous 10 years would treat them.I’d managed to go the first 33 years of my life without having tonsillitis- and I’ve only had strep once in my life. I have no clue if tonsillitis and strep are related, but I know you don’t have to have one to have the other.That was in April and I haven’t been sick since. It was two weeks of hell (the older you are, the harder it is to recover- and the most dangerous time for adults is 7-10 days after the procedure), but totally worth it. So, Scott- if your doctor is recommending the procedure, I suggest following his advice. Most reputable otolaryngologists (hell, most reputable doctors) only suggest surgery as a last result. Also, they gave me some really good painkillers.
I got everything but my baby teeth… and I think my mom collected those. I’ve never had any sort of serious sickness, either, although I must admit that I’m only in my late teens so I can’t be sure of never having something. Worst I’ve ever had was a bad fever and some trouble with my sinuses that quickly cleared up. …and it is a bad sign when doctors start using pedophile tactics. I have a slight phobia of men in white coats already, so if one of them said something like that to me I’d be out the door.
margueritem over 13 years ago
They used ether back when my tonsils were removed. Ice cream was the last thing I wanted when I woke up…
alviebird over 13 years ago
I had frequent strep/tonsillitis while growing up. But I was an Air Force brat. So every time I’d show up in the clinic they would say, “Can’t operate, he’s too sick.” If I wasn’t sick, it was, “No need to operate, there’s nothing wrong.”<><><>I’m 56 and I still have my tonsils.
luckylouie over 13 years ago
I had my tonsils out in 1945 (3 years old) and spent 5 days in the hospital. My wife had hers out in 1952 (5 years old) and spent 3 days in the hospital. Our grandson had his out in 2004 (6 years old). It was a half-hour procedure in the doctor’s office and he went home an hour later. The miracles of modern science!
ChukLitl Premium Member over 13 years ago
I was 5. In the early ’60s they used ether.In the deep, velvety black unconscious, I saw a beautiful dragon. I could see the black velvet through it, though every scale & detail was outlined in fiery green.The ice cream was okay, but I wanted hot, spicy spaghetti.
aarken over 13 years ago
ChukLitl….I see things like that, but I don’t need chemical help. I’d love to know whose dreams I’m having.
Jeff0811 over 13 years ago
If “Scott” is the sick one, why is the doctor green?
heather dunham over 13 years ago
Tonsillectomies aren’t commonly performed anymore and have nothing to do with strep throat… we now know that the tonsils are involved with the immune system, so they actually help you ‘get cured’. If this was a real situation “Scott” was in, he needs a new doctor. If he made it up for the comic, he needs to catch up on the science, because it actually makes it not all that funny. “Most of my tonsillectomy patients are 5 years old” would have been a good punchline in 1970, but now it’s just “huh? 5-year-olds don’t get unnecessary surgery all the time like that…”
WaitingMan over 13 years ago
I was five when my tonsils came out (1958). The ether started, the doctor said count backwards from 100. I think I got to 97 before blacking out.
runar over 13 years ago
I may be one of the few baby boomers who survived tonsillitis fully intact. It was in the early ‘60s, and my pediatrician didn’t believe in tonsillectomies. I had several days of gargling with salt water (my mother’s favorite home remedy for sore throats) and a missed birthday party, but I still have my tonsils.
spelvin2002 over 13 years ago
This one’s absolutely brilliant. I hurt myself laughing.
tsandl over 13 years ago
I laughed till my sides hurt. Either that or I need an appendectomy.
gasouthpaw over 13 years ago
I had to have mine taken out this year (I’m 43), after my sixth bout of pneumonia in four years, which was related to the chronic tonsillitis I’d been suffering since I was 33 or so.I’ll spare the gross details, but the doctor agreed with my self-diagnosis of the causal relationship- and that my tonsillitis (after 10 years) was beyond the point where antibiotics would be effective, since that’s how every other doctor I’d seen in the previous 10 years would treat them.I’d managed to go the first 33 years of my life without having tonsillitis- and I’ve only had strep once in my life. I have no clue if tonsillitis and strep are related, but I know you don’t have to have one to have the other.That was in April and I haven’t been sick since. It was two weeks of hell (the older you are, the harder it is to recover- and the most dangerous time for adults is 7-10 days after the procedure), but totally worth it. So, Scott- if your doctor is recommending the procedure, I suggest following his advice. Most reputable otolaryngologists (hell, most reputable doctors) only suggest surgery as a last result. Also, they gave me some really good painkillers.
alviebird over 13 years ago
I’ve still got everything.
pcolli over 13 years ago
I’ve got one tooth missing but only because it shattered in a car accident. If it’s not harming us it should stay where it is.
spinner13 over 13 years ago
I got everything but my baby teeth… and I think my mom collected those. I’ve never had any sort of serious sickness, either, although I must admit that I’m only in my late teens so I can’t be sure of never having something. Worst I’ve ever had was a bad fever and some trouble with my sinuses that quickly cleared up. …and it is a bad sign when doctors start using pedophile tactics. I have a slight phobia of men in white coats already, so if one of them said something like that to me I’d be out the door.