Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Ears the Problem....

Two Fridays ago we had a feeling Coco wasn’t quite feeling up to snuff. This usually means a double ear infection. However since we had, just the prior Tuesday, finished up her antibiotics for that very condition we were doubtful. Out of an abundance of caution Hubby took her in to see her doctor. Sure enough – her right ear was “very infected”. I was shocked. I was even more shocked when her doctor prescribed the exact same antibiotic she had just completed. I may not have a medical degree but if you finish a 10-day antibiotic on Tuesday and have a raging ear infection by Friday, I’m thinkin’ the medicine didn’t work so well.

Apart from that little quandary, we heard the words we were dreading. Tubes. I had read an article pre-delivery which stated that tubes were the root of all evil and way over prescribed. I had made up my mind at that point that my child was never to have tubes. Under any circumstance. Period.

However, over the past 9 ear infections (if you count double infections as 2), I have begun to dig a little deeper. Oddly enough every mother I’ve asked is a big fan. I’ve heard stories about it changing kids’ personalities, lives, and play habits – all for the better. One mom told me her son, who was a bit wobbly in the walking department (as is Coco), immediately went to walking straight as an arrow and soon to running. One mom told me that the afternoon they got home from the procedure, her little one brought her every book and toy that made noise and piled them in her lap, fascinated that he could hear them clearly. One mom (our daycare provider) said that a little boy she watched went from being a fussy toddler before his tubes to being a happy bright little star the day after.

Needless to say, Coco goes in for her pre-op consult tomorrow. I’m in. I’m all in. Screw whoever wrote the “tubes are the root of all evil” article. I don’t know them. I do know my mom-friends and I know my daughter. If tubes will help her stop toppling over, and if tubes will stop a little voice from saying “owie” while pointing to her ear, and if tubes will prevent a 10th round of antibiotics in 17 short months of life – that’s all I need to know.

Am I nervous? Yes. Mostly about the anesthetic since I know ANY dose of general anesthesia comes with risks. But I also know the type used and the duration (about 5 minutes) greatly, greatly reduce those risks. I’m a little nervous about what precautions we’ll have to take once they’re in. I always loved swimming and want Cora to enjoy that also. In addition she loves bath time and splashes around like a little fish. I’ve had some mom’s tell me they had to use earplugs while some said they never did and had no problems. We’ll jump off that bridge when we come to it.

Tomorrow will be day one on what I’m hoping is a journey to a happier little one.

1 comment:

Our Family said...

Kristi - that's too bad! Poor little Cora - sounds like ear infections have gotten the best of her. I hope the tubes make a difference for her little ears! Hope everything else is doing well. ~Jen