Tube time

The before

A few months ago, Cailin was having a tough time (details here).  Shortly after composing that post, we learned Cailin had massive fluid behind both ears and bronchitis.  She was given a round of antibiotics but still didn't seem to be able to hear me.  I took her back to the pediatrician where she failed the hearing screening.  The results showed a "Mild to Moderate hearing loss."  On the one hand, this was terrifying to hear.  On the other, I was relieved.  She wasn't being extremely defiant, she just couldn't hear me.

Meanwhile, Charlotte has had an ear infection in one or both ears since the second week of September.  She is allergic to most antibiotics so treating this is a constant challenge.  We generally wait out infections in hopes they'll heal naturally but when her temperature hits 104, it's time for medical intervention.

We saw the ENT on Christmas eve eve and learned that both girls would need tubes in their ears.  Though they had different issues, they needed the same procedure.

Vovo drove into town to help out with Matthew and Matt and I took the girls to the surgical center early this morning.  They were in good spirits and enjoyed their gowns.  The nurses were clearly accustomed to trios - dad takes the child into the operating room, mom waits in recovery.  No one knew what to do with our group of 4.  So Matt took Cailin into the room, waited for her to fall asleep, then came back to get Charlotte.  I was sent to a waiting room (NOT the recovery room) and eventually heard Cailin screaming.  I found her in the nurse's arms and held her thinking she was in pain.  Once she settled a bit, she said "Why did Daddy leave me?  My daddy left me!" and my.  heart.  broke.  Poor baby.  It took her a while to settle (it didn't help that they couldn't find her the purple Popsicle she'd been promised).  Matt found us and scooped Cailin up which was what she needed.  Charlotte was then wheeled into us and was groggily placed on my lap.  She was given a blue Popsicle and remained extra docile for the morning.  The nurse who brought her out commented "So she's quiet and she (Cailin) is loud?"  Even under anesthesia, their true colors shine through.

We picked up milkshakes and came home for a few hours of TV and both girls seem to be back to themselves already.  Cailin has commented on how "loud" things are such as the refrigerator or the car's engine.

It has been an exhausting day but here's hoping the girls are ear-infection-free with normal hearing for the next few months!

Note: 4 days ago, Matthew was diagnosed with another pair of ear infections.  If only we could've gotten a 3 for 1 deal!

Cailin drew a picture of herself "with tubes in her ears"

The after