My kid needed surgery, so I needed a way to reduce stress. Let’s throw a party! Complete with a custom piñata shaped like a thyroid.
Here’s one of my favorite benefits of living in New Mexico: custom piñatas are always available. Did you know you can go to a local piñata maker and ask for pretty much anything in piñata form?
So, this was a CRAZY year for us.
I was nine months pregnant, about to pop, and my middle school stepdaughter was having some weird tummy problems. Her mom brought her to the doctor for a check, and during that visit, they noticed her thyroid seemed a little big. (The thyroid is a hormone-producing gland located at the base of your neck.)
At first, we did some labs and just kept an eye on things. She wasn’t really having any signs of a thyroid disorder. And at this same exact time, she got her first period! Needless to say, the hormones in our house were a little bit funky.
Over the year, we did some follow-up, and she did start to show some possible signs of things getting worse, so we started medication. Eventually, she had an ultrasound done on her neck and then needed a biopsy.
Fast forward to spring, my stepdaughter was feeling well, but her thyroid was getting worse, and the team was in agreement . . .
She needed surgery.
Poor thing, she was looking forward to her 8th-grade year and suddenly having to deal with the idea of having a big scar on her neck. Could you possibly make a teenager more self-conscious?
Surgery was scheduled for the summer. Everyone was feeling nervous. It felt big and scary. She would have to spend the night in the hospital.
But, being a medical professional, I had a good idea of how to lift spirits. Let’s throw a party! A going away party! A way to say goodbye to the big, ugly, thyroid growth that was making life so stressful. And what better way to take out your stress?
Smash a piñata!
One month before, I ordered the custom piñata. The night before surgery, the family gathered for a big family dinner. I decorated with balloons, streamers, and a cake. We ate, we partied, and after dinner, we all gathered outside to smash the thyroid-shaped piñata! It was the perfect way to break the tension and lower everyone’s stress levels.
The next day, we arrived at the pre-op area and had a smooth check-in; surgery went well, and recovery couldn’t have gone better! My stepdaughter has been incredibly brave through all this and handled it all with grace and positivity.
But if your kid needs surgery or another scary medical procedure, I highly recommend smashing a custom piñata the night before.
List of local Albuquerque piñata makers:
- Casa De Piñata | 2221 Lead Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
- Piñata Party | 517 San Mateo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
- Piñatas la Bonita | 1100 Coors Blvd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121
Originally published March 2025.
