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.
