Austin's Ear Tubes (17 1/2 Months and 35 weeks)

Over a month ago we saw a ENT physician that we were not too impressed with.   When we left his office we had more questions than answers and it did not feel right to have surgery with this physician.  After Austin's latest ear infection, we had a detailed conversation with his pediatrician and realized that Austin did need to have ear tubes placed.  However I felt like we needed to find the right physician.

We scheduled an appointment with a pediatric ENT and we had our first appointment with him last week.  I really liked that fact he specialized in pediatrics.  I think that is important because adults and kids are totally different.

While waiting for our appointment last Thursday, there was a helicopter at the medical center and Brian took Austin to see it while I was filling out paperwork.  The helicopter engine started and Brian hoped the helicopter would take off but unfortunately they needed to come inside before they could see it take off.  They did get to watch it for about 20 minutes though while I waited inside for them to call his name.  Austin learned what helicopters are in Virginia Beach and will point them out in the sky, so he liked seeing one on the ground fairly up close.

We met with the doctor and he did an exam on Austin.  After the exam we talked and decided that Austin needed to get ear tubes.  We were comfortable with this now and comfortable with the physician.  While in the office, they also gave Austin a hearing test.  We thought that made sense too.  Austin does have some mild hearing loss but that is because of the fluid always being in his ears.  The doctor says once the tubes are placed that will improve. They will do a follow up hearing test too.

They scheduled surgery for Monday morning.  We were also happy that it was going to be so soon.  They called on on Friday with a surgery time which was at 8:30am.

When I first heard that Austin could benefit from ear tubes, I was skeptical.  Sometimes I think our society is too quick to use medications and surgery when its not needed.  I am not a big fan of medications unnecessarily and would like to try other options before doing so.  However I do realize that Austin has had 7 ear infections and treating him with systemic antibiotics is not good either.  After we had a conversation with our pediatrician and our new ENT, I was confident that ear tubes were the best option for Austin. It is like one of Brian's co-workers said, ear tubes are a mechanical solution to a mechanical problem which is better than repeatedly forcing a chemical solutions (an engineer's perspective on ear tubes).

This weekend, Brian and I went to a movie and dinner without Austin.  My parents were kind enough to watch him for us.  It was nice to get out.  Our lives seem a little crazy right now with Austin's surgery coming up and Sydney coming in about a month.  We have been working really hard to get everything accomplished.  Last weekend we finished up Sydney's room.  We put up stickers for decoration however they are not your average stickers.  They are basically permanently stuck to the wall.  It took several hours to do it.  It turned out beautifully.  I love her room!

Brian also installed the infant car seats in both cars.  He has become quite the expert at installing car seats.  It is weird now because we really no longer have a back seat since they are full of car seats (2 in each car now).  Austin remains on the drivers side of my car however he is on the passenger side of Brian's car.  He used to be in the middle of Brian's car and he really liked that since he could see between the two front seats.  We will see if he likes being on the passenager side.  Brian has also been working on some home projects like new curtains and blinds in our kitchen.  They look nice too.


On Sunday, we went up to Cleveland to a dinner party with Brian's Dads' side of the family.  It was so nice to see them.  Austin had a really good time too.  There were probably about 20 people there.  It is still sad that Brian's dad is not here.  We know he would have adored Austin.

This morning Austin had his surgery.  We kept him up late last night so he could sleep in a little bit.  He could not have anything to eat or drink after midnight (although they said he could have juice up until 5:30am, however there was no way we were waking him up to give him juice!).  He woke up a little after 6am however he did go back to sleep.  Brian was the quiet police this morning making sure I was not too loud because we did not want Austin to wake up.  He then woke up around 7am and we got him out of his crib at 7:15am.  Luckily he was very happy this morning.  We changed him and left for the surgery center.

We checked in and within a few minutes they were calling him back to preop area.  Once in preop, they gave him a gown and took his vital signs.  Brian and I were both back there with him.  Also the anesthesiologist came by along with his ENT physician.  There were also about 4 nurses taking care of him too.  I knew he was in good hands.  Then only one of us could go back to OR with him.  We decided last night it would be me unless Austin really wanted Brian.  Austin has been attached to Brian lately so if Austin wanted him that is who he would have (he can be a clingy monkey sometimes).  Austin did not care this morning so I went back with him.  It was wonderful becuase they allowed me to carry him back and I held him while they put him to sleep.  Austin cried for about a minute and that was it.  After he was sleeping, I placed him on the table, kissed him goodbye, and went to the waiting room with Brian.

It's scary to send your child to surgery because there are risks involved.   But I knew that Austin depended on us to be strong and reassure him.   There was no way I would allow myself to cry or act scared in anyway.  And I was not scared I was really confident in the care he was going to receive and knew this was for the best.  The Cleveland Clinic is a good hospital system.
After being in the waiting area 10-15 minutes the doctor came out and explained that Austin had fluid in his right ear that has probably been there for a while.  The left ear had no fluid which is good.  He said that Austin did great and we could come back and see him.  When he got there he was on a little baby bed.  We could pick him up and hold him.  Austin was not too sure about everything but within 10 minutes he wanted his pulse ox meter off and was acting pretty much normal.  He did not cry.  He drank some water and played with a sticker.  We were in recovery for 30 minutes then we went home.  When we walked out the door to leave, within 10 seconds the helicopter flew overhead because it was taking off.  Austin got to see that.  It was pretty cool and the timing was amazing.

 
The nurses and physicians were great.  I could not be happier with our experience.  Being able to go back with him was huge because if we had to give him to a stranger, Austin would have freaked out.  All of our questions were answered and I never felt like we were a bother.  Austin is an amazing baby and he did fantastic.  

I am home now and Brian went to work.  Once we got home, we tried to fed Austin his favorite food (a banana) but he did not want it.  He was tired so Brian placed him in his crib.  He has been sleeping now for about an hour and half.  This is allowing me to write this blog post and make doctor appointments.  We have to follow up with the ENT in 4 weeks.  Sydney is due in 5 weeks.  This could be interesting.