Ryan's recovery from his surgery is going much better. We talk openly about what the doctors did, why they did it, and how it's helping him. He tells me he can hear so much better: "I can even hear myself!"
His speech is improving, too. He can hear words better, and therefore, he can pronounce them better. Ryan is also happily coming home from preschool to sing the latest song they've learned. Now I can understand the words much better. It's wonderful!
It's also quieter in his room at night. When he slept before the surgery, he would snore loud enough to be heard two rooms away. Now he's so quiet! It's taken some time to get used to. Before, I never worried about waking him because I knew he couldn't hear me for the snoring. Now he's so quiet, I instantly think he's awake.
The result of sleeping quietly means he's happier during the day, has fewer meltdowns, and can manage a little bit later bedtime.
This is all such a relief. Of course, there's still a chance that the fluid build-up will return within his ears and we'll have to reconsider tubes. But right now, we're thrilled with the results we're seeing.
2.14.2010
2.08.2010
Guppy Bowl
Brendan attended his first and only swim meet of the winter, the 8 & Under Guppy Bowl in Lake Orion. Ken and I thought it would be a good introductory meet to USA Swimming, which is far different than the summer league he's accustomed to.
We were all in for surprises! The first was having Brendan whisked away by the coaches and being reminded that parents are often not welcome on the pool deck. We hadn't prepared Brendan for any of this, so he was uncertain at first. Next was the coach's insistence that Brendan wear a cap. Neither of us has forced this issue, primarily because Brendan is a boy and he has such a sensitive head. Why introduce a battle with the cap. Still, Brendan went along with the coach, and though he reported not liking it, he wore it for every race.
Brendan swam the 25 free, back and breast. Unfortunately, he had been sick the entire week leading up to the meet. He still swam well, with a best time in the 25 free and matching his best in the back. The breaststroke race was his debut, and he was promptly DQ'd for bringing his arms too far back. That said, his time was good and he has a good learning experience under his belt, er, suit.
The team had a no-show, so Brendan was asked to swim the free relay. I'm glad he did, but as a family, that meant sitting in the stands another 90 minutes or so before he swam. Thankfully, Kelsey and Ryan were incredibly good. They are getting the hang of this wait-around-while-brother-does-his-thing.
Brendan really does enjoy swimming, which is good because after spending 6 hours at the pool for small age-group meet, I'm beginning to wonder what we're thinking.
1.22.2010
Surgery for little Ry
I suppose I should just jump in after leaving this blog quiet for too long ...
It's been a little more than two weeks since Ryan had his tonsils and adenoids removed and had fluid vaccummed out of his inner ear. He's making great progress!
Last August, the pediatrician noticed fluid build-up in his ear. She recommended we return in two months to see if the fluid had cleared. In late October we returned, and the fluid had persisted. I admit, I was rather clueless as to what all of this meant. Ryan hadn't complained of any ear pain -- likely has never complained of it -- and he seemed happy and healthy.
The pediatrician had a nurse perform a hearing test, and it was quickly evident that he wasn't hearing much. As I watched the nurse press buttons, Ryan sat in his chair, looking around and wondering when something would happen. Not good.
Two weeks later we visited a pediatric ENT and had a more comprehensive hearing test. Again, he failed the test. The ENT, quite matter-of-factly, informed me that Ryan would need tubes in his ears. That was the only course of action; and it must happen quickly to restore his hearing and prevent further damage to his ear drum.
Hubby and I didn't feel comfortable with this solution. In part, I just didn't care for the way the ENT insisted that this was our only option. Hubby was more concerned that tubes would pose multiple problems for our young son who loves to swim. Hubby has had ear problems since early adulthood, and he knows what kind of trouble it can cause.
So I spent time researching the tubes online, and at the same time, began wondering whether another issue was relevant: Ryan's snoring. As fate would have it, that week Brendan complained every night because of his brother's very loud snoring. Google, my hero, delivered some interesting information. Indeed, snoring in children is indicative of enlarged adenoids, which can lead to fluid build-up in the ear!
We called the doctor and requested a follow-up visit. The doctor was quite surprised to see us, if not completely confused. We explained that we felt as if all of the bases hadn't been covered in our previous visit: snoring and swimming. The doctor began to apologize. Apparently, those are two common questions that he should ask during a standard appointment. He went into a lengthy explanation of the three ways to treat fluid build-up, even giving us the cultural preferences around the world. In the United States, tubes are most common. In Australia and the UK, removal of the adenoids and tonsils prevails as the clear choice.
Again, as fate would have it, the doctor had spent several years practicing in Arizona, where he rarely suggested tubes as a first option because everyone in Arizona swims. He explained in Michigan, he never gets objections from parents. In fact, though, he is the only doctor on U-M's staff who would consider performing alternatives to tubes and is happy to do so.
How relieved we were! The change in plan was a good choice, though it did require a much longer recovery period. On the day of surgery, the doctor removed an enormous mass from Ryan's throat. He also suctioned out a rather thick fluid, enough that would have made hearing as difficult as listening underwater.
Ryan handled the surgery so well. He was brave and calm, despite being nervous. The nurses and doctors were kind enough to allow me to walk with him in to the OR and hold his hand while they administered the gas. When he woke, he was understandably scared and upset. But he was mostly tired, and quickly fell asleep in my arms.
The recovery was OK. I wish doctors did a better job of addressing the truly stressful parts of recovery: what your child's emotional and psychological response may be and how to get your child to take medicine that tastes terrible! Those were the battles we faced in the next few days. I think the psychological effect will last much longer. Perhaps this will change Ryan forever.
Ryan may still need tubes. If the fluid returns, then that will be the next step. He'll return in mid February for another hearing test and post-op visit. We're crossing our fingers all is good.
It's been a little more than two weeks since Ryan had his tonsils and adenoids removed and had fluid vaccummed out of his inner ear. He's making great progress!
Last August, the pediatrician noticed fluid build-up in his ear. She recommended we return in two months to see if the fluid had cleared. In late October we returned, and the fluid had persisted. I admit, I was rather clueless as to what all of this meant. Ryan hadn't complained of any ear pain -- likely has never complained of it -- and he seemed happy and healthy.
The pediatrician had a nurse perform a hearing test, and it was quickly evident that he wasn't hearing much. As I watched the nurse press buttons, Ryan sat in his chair, looking around and wondering when something would happen. Not good.
Two weeks later we visited a pediatric ENT and had a more comprehensive hearing test. Again, he failed the test. The ENT, quite matter-of-factly, informed me that Ryan would need tubes in his ears. That was the only course of action; and it must happen quickly to restore his hearing and prevent further damage to his ear drum.
Hubby and I didn't feel comfortable with this solution. In part, I just didn't care for the way the ENT insisted that this was our only option. Hubby was more concerned that tubes would pose multiple problems for our young son who loves to swim. Hubby has had ear problems since early adulthood, and he knows what kind of trouble it can cause.
So I spent time researching the tubes online, and at the same time, began wondering whether another issue was relevant: Ryan's snoring. As fate would have it, that week Brendan complained every night because of his brother's very loud snoring. Google, my hero, delivered some interesting information. Indeed, snoring in children is indicative of enlarged adenoids, which can lead to fluid build-up in the ear!
We called the doctor and requested a follow-up visit. The doctor was quite surprised to see us, if not completely confused. We explained that we felt as if all of the bases hadn't been covered in our previous visit: snoring and swimming. The doctor began to apologize. Apparently, those are two common questions that he should ask during a standard appointment. He went into a lengthy explanation of the three ways to treat fluid build-up, even giving us the cultural preferences around the world. In the United States, tubes are most common. In Australia and the UK, removal of the adenoids and tonsils prevails as the clear choice.
Again, as fate would have it, the doctor had spent several years practicing in Arizona, where he rarely suggested tubes as a first option because everyone in Arizona swims. He explained in Michigan, he never gets objections from parents. In fact, though, he is the only doctor on U-M's staff who would consider performing alternatives to tubes and is happy to do so.
How relieved we were! The change in plan was a good choice, though it did require a much longer recovery period. On the day of surgery, the doctor removed an enormous mass from Ryan's throat. He also suctioned out a rather thick fluid, enough that would have made hearing as difficult as listening underwater.
Ryan handled the surgery so well. He was brave and calm, despite being nervous. The nurses and doctors were kind enough to allow me to walk with him in to the OR and hold his hand while they administered the gas. When he woke, he was understandably scared and upset. But he was mostly tired, and quickly fell asleep in my arms.
The recovery was OK. I wish doctors did a better job of addressing the truly stressful parts of recovery: what your child's emotional and psychological response may be and how to get your child to take medicine that tastes terrible! Those were the battles we faced in the next few days. I think the psychological effect will last much longer. Perhaps this will change Ryan forever.
Ryan may still need tubes. If the fluid returns, then that will be the next step. He'll return in mid February for another hearing test and post-op visit. We're crossing our fingers all is good.
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