I haven’t talked about Ryan’s ears much lately. Mostly because I figure Ryan’s got another ear infection, waaaaaaah! gets old after a while.
He got his first set of tubes at 9 months old. But even with the tubes, he continued to battle double ear infections. The tubes were great, though, because when he got an infection, it would drain out his ears and we would know to take him to the doctor. But inevitably, one of the tubes came out and the drainage stopped and he continued to get (and keep) the infections.
So this morning, he got his second set of tubes, with a little adenoid removal thrown in for extra fun.
The first time he got tubes, I was worried. He’d never been under anesthesia before and although it’s a very common procedure, it’s still surgery and that’s a scary word for the parent of an infant.
This time, I was worried again. Not so much about the surgery, but the fact that he’s not yet 2-1/2. It’s a tricky age. He understands a lot and he knows what pain is, but he isn’t old enough to grasp the concept that going through a procedure and painful recovery now is good for later.
But he trusts us. So he donned the tiger hospital gown, said hi to his doctor, took the nurse’s hand and stoically walked back to the operating room.
Toddler hospital gowns: Equal parts cute and sad.
The kid has dealt with a lot in his little life. Besides the non-stop ear infections, he’s also battled respiratory problems, allergies of all kinds and skin problems. He’s had croup, he’s had hand-foot-and-mouth disease. He freaking likes to take medicine, because he knows it makes him feel better.
He did great today, despite waking up disoriented and uncomfortable and despite throwing up multiple times in the operating room and on the drive home.
Tear.
I know, you think he’s sleeping in that picture. But right after I took that picture, I whispered “we’ll go home and get you some rest.”
And he whimpered in response, “No night-nights … I watchin’ Choo-Choo Roar …”
When we got home, he was still dizzy and disoriented, yet he managed to stumble over to the couch and request his box of toy dinosaurs. He then proceeded to watch two episodes of Dinosaur Train and one episode of Super Why, ate two waffles and a huge bowl of ice cream, and then begrudgingly agreed to take a nap – but only if I promised he could have a cookie when he woke up.
“i-cream” with “spinkles”.
Then he woke up with a smile on his face and ate those cookies, plus dinosaur chicken nuggets, plus applesauce, plus part of a banana.
So I think he’s ok.
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22 Responses to Ear tubes: Round Two.
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I'm Meg. An Ohio girl who met a Pennsylvania gentleman in the Arizona desert. Married, toddler, cat, etc. Current adventure: Trading sun for snow, warmth for wind, an office job for a home office. Hello, East Coast.SPONSORS
So glad he did well with the surgery! On a surgery day can he watch a million episodes of Dinosaur Train if requested? Give him a big kiss from me.
So far, he’s on his fourth episode. He claims he wants to play in the playroom after this one, but I am doubtful that he really means it.
Aww, what a trooper! And I hope there was a big glass of wine waiting for mama at the end of the day!
Oh, you KNOW IT.
Awww, poor guy! I’m glad everything went well. That Tigger hospital gown made me tear up a little…
He was so happy to put that thing on. Goofball.
He’s so cute. I love the car seat picture. So sad.
He definitely was a sad sight after the surgery. I got more cuddles this morning that I did all of 2012 combined. :-/
Awwwwhh, what a little trooper!
I know, he handled it so much better than I would have.
This was such a timely blog post. I just scheduled an appointment with an ENT for my 14 month old daughter yesterday. I’m so nervous for the ear tubes procedure. I hope it helps, because I hate having her on antibiotics ALL THE TIME!
Aw, I hope everything goes well! I felt the same way about Ryan and the antibiotics. Antibiotics never seem to be very effective on him and it scares the heck out of me. I always worried that having him on them constantly would make them even less effective on him over time.
Ear tubes surgery is tomorrow. Wish us luck!
Good luck!! I hope everything goes well and she bounces back quickly.
Glad he’s doing well! Have you considered managing the infections with diet? I always notice sinus and ear infections flare when I overdo it on the sugar. Sugar encourages bacterial growth and many people are hypersensitive to it. Can’t help but notice you fed him sugar all day to appease him. I don’t have kids, but I’m sure if I did, I’d want to give them whatever makes them happy too, but it’s the whole “sacrifice now to feel better later” thing again!
Haha, very good point about the sugar. That is not typically how we feed him, though. We try to keep his meals as balanced as possible (which sometimes, with a toddler, is admittedly not very balanced). Yesterday, I made major exceptions because he’d been through the ringer.
I just love his little face! I hope that Ryan is up and running just like nothing ever happend!
He’s pretty good! A little pain here and there, but we’re managing well with OTC meds and haven’t had to fill the strong stuff. That’s a victory in my book.
What an AWESOME kid. I love him & hope that he’s bounced back quickly!!
Thanks hunny! I think he’s done about as well as we could have hoped for.
Awe- poor guy! I’m so sorry he’s had to do this twice, but what a trooper you have! I hope he’s feeling better this weekend!
Thank you! I do think he’s feeling better. Another day or two and I think he’ll be totally back to normal. As “normal” as a toddler can be, anyway.