myringotomy! After a rough six months it was finally decided that Charlie needed ear tubes. Based on no medical data, we are hoping that in addition to clearing up his chronic ear infections it will also help with his speech and reactive airway disease. Since Charlie is a wheezer we were even more nervous for this surgery, but knew it needed to be done, so we crossed our fingers and hoped for the best. Well apparently we need to work on our finger crossing technique, because our little Mr. Man had other plans, including getting sick the week of surgery, wheezing for two days straight, and developing an ear infection that was caught at his pre-op appointment. Being nervous enough about the anesthesia, it didn't help that some interventions were needed. Including, antibiotics to clear up the ear infection, steroids to control his breathing, and a "shot" of albuterol to open his airways thirty minutes before the procedure. I have no clue how he was the calmest child ever, because he could not eat or drink starting the night before. Amazing little guy we have. He astonished all the nurses and doctors by doing his own nebulizer treatment and laying down for his ear drops, he really is such a good patient.
5:30a wakeup was not bad for Charlie at all, he was ready to go and get his new ears.
Daddy-Charlie (as we call them) did some stretching before the procedure. It never hurts to be completely relaxed during these things.
Charlie is a pro at putting on a hospital gown and even likes the open back!
As we were walking out the concierge asked Charlie if he would like this cute bear, he nodded yes and we were on our way. We think this guy might show up on our bill as "therapy," bear therapy that is.
And then we barely made it out of the parking garage before this happened. Charlie was even great during his recovery. The doctors and nurses told us numerous times that he might act crazy, anxious, hysterical, etc. after they woke him up, but not to be alarmed. When we walked in Charlie was whining a little and then just cuddled up, he really makes life easy for us. As do his doctors, we have three of the best doctors who take such good care of Charlie. Without their help and late phone calls the night before Thanksgiving we surely would have ended up at the hospital on Thanksgiving, but they saw us last minute and gave us all the information and medicine we needed to steer clear of the hospital. We have spent so much time with them lately that I feel as though I might miss them, but if we are not seeing them it only means good things! And as for Georgia, she has played a wonderful nurse and even showed up at home with a bag of goodies to help Charlie heal. We are very excited to see how Charlie does with his new ears, we have heard from everyone that it makes a world of difference.
