Tubes in ears

Joshua had tubes placed in both his ears on Tuesday. Mommy and Daddy were very nervous but the staff took great care of our baby boy. Before the surgery Joshua, Mommy, and Daddy were in a pediatric prep room that was full of books which Joshua really enjoyed reading as various staff members came by to say hello and tell us their role in the procedure (anesthesiologist, nurses, doctor, etc.) Shortly before they took him to surgery they gave him some oral medicine to relax him and it really worked. We were reading a book to him about a bear and on every other page the bear got in a situation where he fell down. After Joshua was relaxed he would point at the bear and laugh like it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen and say “The bear fell down!” He was so happy that when a nurse came in to take him away he didn’t fuss or anything, he simply hugged his sock monkey and chatted as she carried him away.

The staff had warned us that Joshua would be fussy/ disoriented when he woke up and they weren’t kidding. When they brought us into recovery he was crying and bucking and flopping his head around and his eyes weren’t even open. Eventually he would semi-calm down and open his eyes but that would start off a new round of tears and squirming. He didn’t really calm down until we had him in the car heading home. He drank his sippy cup of apple juice and went to sleep. Later Daddy made him some waffles which he loves to eat. Joshua spent most of the day in his mommy’s arms, but by late afternoon he was back to himself except he fell down more than usual – probably adjusting to the pressure change in his head.

We’ve noticed in the days following that his eating has improved. We’re not sure if it’s due to him feeling better or is he’s having a growth spurt. Either way it’s a welcome change. Joshua hates the drops we have to put in his ears as well as the oral antibiotic he’s taking – at least when Mommy and Daddy are there. When we have to give him drops, it takes both Matt and me to hold him down because he is kicking, crying, and shaking his head. No amount of love or promises of treats would help. I was talking to his teacher on Friday and said “I bet you’re glad you won’t have to give him anymore drops.” That’s when she told me what an angel he is. Apparently when it was medicine time Joshua would climb into her lap and lie on his side and point to his ear and say “Drops in here!” Then roll to the other side and repeat. Needless to say I was shocked so Friday evening I said “Let’s do drops like Miss Terri.” He agreed and laid in my lap while I administered the drops. On the one hand I’m glad he’s so well behaved in public, but on the other hand why can’t he give mommy a break? Oh well, we are glad our little guy is feeling better.