Ear Tubes

Evie has had quite a few ear infections in her short life.  She made it through her first year without getting any, but since then she has had eight double ear infections, five of which have been since February of this year.  We would get the infections cleared up only to have them return a few weeks later.  It has been frustrating for us as parents and painful for Evie.  A few weeks ago we had an appointment with an ENT.  He looked in Evie's ears and did a hearing test.  At the time of her appointment, she didn't have an infection, but she did have fluid in her ears that was affecting her hearing.  The doctor explained that antibiotics will clear up infections, but will not get rid of fluid.  He recommended tubes and after talking with him, we agreed.

We took Evie to have her tubes put in today.  The Ohio Surgery Center is only about ten minutes from our house which was nice.  Evie's surgery was scheduled for 7:30am, but we had to be there by 6:30.   She was excited because she got to wear her pajamas to the doctor.  She couldn't eat or drink before the procedure.  She asked for a drink and snack once and we distracted her and it was never an issue.  She got checked in and they gave her some medicine to relax her before they took her back.  I was a little nervous because I initially thought she'd have to have an IV, but we were informed that she'd only need gas to put her to sleep since she'd only be under for 15 minutes max.  That made me feel a lot better, only because I know my daughter and know she would have freaked out to have a IV and I really wanted to avoid that if at all possible.  Her nurse was awesome!  She showed Evie the gas mask and told her that she could pick the scent of the gas - Evie chose bubble gum.  Then she brought the gas mask back and let Evie smell it.  I'm not sure what they use to scent it, but Evie loved getting to play with the mask and smell the bubble gum.

When it came time from them to take her back, Evie started to get a little upset when Pat and I had to leave, but again, our nurse was awesome.  She scooped Evie up and said she'd carry her back (rather than having her rolled back on the bed) and even let her push the handicap button for the door.  Evie really liked that and didn't cry at all.  Can't say the same for me - I teared up when they took my baby back.  Even though it was only a simple procedure, it's still a little overwhelming to have your child taken from you and put under anesthesia.  We were told that they would bring us to her in recovery as soon as she woke up.  About 10 minutes later, the doctor came out and spoke with us and said that Evie did great!  15 minutes later, a nurse came to get us and said Evie was awake - and upset.  She was wailing when we got to her.  I held her, but she still cried.  The nurse said that was completely normal.  Anesthesia can make her feel loopy, dizzy and even have her seeing double.  It just takes a little while to wear off.  We sat and watched a cartoon and she drank some juice, but she still cried for the better part of an hour.  Once they saw that she was awake and keeping food and drink down, we were released.  Evie fell asleep as soon as we came home and has been napping since.  We are so happy that she did well and we hope this means no more ear infections!!