Dalin V., 9

Dalin, a vibrant nine-year-old, resides in Kampong Chhnang province with her caring grandmother. Her parents went their separate ways when she was just a year old, and though her mother lives at a distance, she makes a sincere effort to visit Dalin at least once a month. Dalin shares the house with seven other loved ones—three cousins, her grandmother, grandfather, aunt, and uncle. Currently, in the third grade, Dalin takes delight in her Khmer subjects at school. She enjoys reading, playing with her cousins, and adventures with her cherished dolls. Dalin has a special fondness for fried eggs and soup.

A relative told Dalin's parents about the CSC Hospital, and they traveled three hours from their province to get advice for her chronic illness. After a successful tonsillectomy and a night in the hospital, Dalin returned home. To avoid disrupting the surgical site, she will rest for a few days, eat room-temperature non-spicy food, and drink only warm water for two weeks. Dalin can now breathe easily and sleep much better at night. Her health will improve and she can return to school. Her grandmother is relieved that they won't have to spend money on treatments that did not work for her. Dalin's mother shared: "I am happy she is feeling better and she won't miss school anymore. She is already feeling much better and breathing more easily through the night. I am happy to go home and not worry about this problem anymore."

Surgery to completely remove the tonsils (total tonsillectomy) will help to reduce the number of throat infections and allow Dalin to gain weight, have a normal childhood, and not miss so much school. Once the palatine tonsils have been removed, they can no longer become infected. A T&A should be done if a child has breathing or swallowing problems. Children who suffer from frequent episodes of tonsillitis (infection and inflammation of the tonsils) may also need a T&A (tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy).