[Shoshana]

For those who didn't see my earlier post, Xiomara had her first ear infection the month she turned two and has had 6 more in the following 4 months. Most recently, she finished 10 days of antibiotics last monday and by friday had double ear infections and was placed on 10 more days.

The surgery for tubes was yesterday. We arrived at 7:00, they gave her atropine to drink (to dry the secretions), and then brought her to the "operating" room. I was allowed to hold her while they administered the anesthetic. It was a bubble gum flavored gas. She was scared, her eyes were flashing at mine. I just kept talking to her and then she was out. I must admit, I successfully fought the tears until I was out of the room. Within 15 minutes, I was brought to the recovery room where she looked up at me and said "all done go home." After another half hour to get rid of the raggedy ann syndrome, we went home. She was a little fussy and took at 3 hour nap. During her bath, her ears did start to bleed (eeks) but that's normal too.

So, we survived! She seems completely back to normal today. Resa, I hope you have this easy of a time with your girls. Thanks, everyone, for your support -- it was a definite help!

[Mary Mulcahy]

Elizabeth, I am so glad its over. I had the same procedure done (a long, long time ago) but in the MD's office. I still (about 40 years later) remember the pain.

It did help with the ear infections. Give her a big hug from her boyfriends, Danny and Ricco
Mary

[resabelle]

Ok Elizabeth... not kidding, I cried as I read your post. I have been waiting to see how she did and have been thinking of you.

I know this is an easy process and I know it is good for them and I know they will be fine... but I am so scared. I have to watch both of my babies go under and it is just killing me.

Thanks for letting me know how it went... I am so glad you and Xiomara are doing well. (((((((((hugs)))))))))

Questions for you:
Was dealing with the bleeding easy? I worry about Dylan with that because she is so active.

Was she up and playing the next day or back to normal?

Hugs and happiness for you getting past this hurdle!

[csw]

Elizabeth...so glad she is over with the surgery and everything was fine..she sounds like she is talking really well..putting 4 words together like that..Ana can't do that yet!!! I didn't know you could drink Atropine..keep us posted!

[Shoshana]

Thanks, Mary! (I'll pass on the message from Danny and Ricco).

Cathy -- she's in speech therapy. Most of her sentences that are more than 2 words are "rote", according to the therapist. Every so often she surprises me -- I think the 4 words were really 2, 2-word sentences. Before the procedure yesterday, I said to the nurse, "Clothes off now?" and immediately apologized for speaking like a 2-year old!

Resa -- her ears started to bleed just after her bath. She was sitting on the toilet seat and I was drying her hair. She didn't know what was happening. I took toilet paper and dabbed the blood out. She said, "what doing?" and I told her I was getting the buggers out of her ears! (I figured she'd understand Actually, Xiomara was pretty much back to normal within, I'd say, two hours. Yes, she was a bit fussier, I gave her ibuprofen as a preventative, but I think mostly it was because she was tired and stressed rather than in pain. When is the procedure scheduled for your girls? I guess I should tell you this part -- I knew my pediatrician's son was scheduled for 1/2 hour earlier. He's probably 6 mos to 12 mos younger. He was crying when we arrived, and when we left -- not a terrible cry, just real fuss. I'm not saying this to scare you but I do think it's better to be prepared for various outcomes. I was honestly expecting it to be more difficult on Xiomara then it was. She'd used a nebulizer in December for bronchitis so maybe that made the mask less scary for her. You know I'll be thinking about you too!

OH, I almost forgot! THANK YOU SCOOBS! My forum buddy drove us, stayed with me and gave me a big hug when I started to cry! I'm so thankful, Scoobs, that I didn't have to do this one alone.

[Bassette]

Oh gessh, so glad it all went well. You did good Elizabeth, kudos to you for staying so strong. It must have been quite frightening for you. Thanks for sharing your update. I have been following. Take care and give that sweet babe hugs from her forum family.

[angelkisses0102]

Sounds like it went well! All the best! They really helped Alex so much...hopefully you guys will see success too.

(We are getting Alex's tubes put back in next week...they lasted about 18 months...but he was only 13 months the first go around...)

[BebitosMama]

I'm glad to hear she's come through like a trooper...scary for Mom though until it's all over and you bring your girl home!! Sending hugs -- and the required post-hospital ICE CREAM!-- to all!!

Mary

[Annee]

So glad to hear that she did so well and that you survived it, too. Sounds like it was needed and she'll be much better off!

[Shoshana]

there were a couple of consequences

I was pretty worried and stressed and didn't sleep much the night before. The day after the procedure, I "celebrated" by getting dressed up for work. When I got to Xiomara's day care, I realized I was wearing my red house slippers with my dress slacks. No time to go back home. When I got to work, I realized I had taken HER lunch and left her mine! I enjoyed toddler-sized portions with cut up grapes for desert. Oy vey! (Maybe I should've cross-posted this final comment on the "people over 35 shouldn't adopt thread"!)

[resabelle]

lol...

Note to self:

1. Have husband pack girl's lunches, I'm not really into Pasta Pickups (actually they're not bad).

2. Take an extra pair of shoes to work in case I wear my Pooh slippers.

Thanks for the giggle... so glad things went well. Mine are scheduled on the 16th and I probably won't sleep either... oh wait! I usually don't sleep well anyways... must be cuz I'm old (NOT).

Hugs to you!

[Ozwald]

So glad the procedure went well. Big hugs to you both!

Jen

[wvamom]

Phew! I'm sure you're glad you're done. And it will be so much better not to go through repeated ear infections. When Wes had tubes when he was small, we had very few infections with them in, and I could always tell by the yucky drainage from his ears.

The most recent time around, he had a lot fewer infections, as well, but they didn't seem to drain out his ears like before (maybe they were draining more the right way?)

Carolyn

[Vicki H]

I am so glad things went well. Please give Xiomara a hug from me and Alex!