In 2009, my ladybug had ear tubes put in due to multiple ear infections. Typically this is the last resort by the ENT, but countless ear infections and antibiotics later we were prepping for surgery. The prognosis as I remember is no more ear infections and the ear tubes usually fall out on their own. Since the surgery four years ago and multiple follow up visits every 3 to 6 months. During our visit in May, the ENT doctor discovered a significant build up of wax .
While in the outpatient office, the ENT doctor tried to remove the wax to no avail. My ladybug was in severe pain and her screams were pretty obvious it was not a fun day at the doctor’s office. I asked the ENT doctor if it was really painful and he told me that our ears are one of the most sensitive parts of our body and YES! The doctor was not able to say if the ear tubes were out due to wax build up. Guess where we were four weeks later? In surgery, to remove the wax under anesthesia.
There is always prepping before surgery so when we arrived my ladybug was sure the anesthesia was not going to work on her. CHOP has the best staff for prepping little ones for surgery. They ask the parents if they would like to give the patients some medicine to relax them before surgery. My ladybug took the medicine and then proceeded to pretend she was asleep and told me see mommy the anesthesia is not working. Little did she know there was no anesthesia yet. I chuckled the whole time.
The ENT doctor came out to see if there were any questions before surgery. Next the anesthesiologist comes out to explain the procedure and what happens during the surgery and after the surgery. The ENT doctor came out prematurely because he noticed the tubes were still in her ears and he wanted to remove them. I was not aware removing them leaves holes which required consent before he could proceed.
Her ear tubes were in for almost four years. The build up of wax was removed but there is no guarantee this will eliminate the build up. I also learned from the initial surgery my ladybug has very small ear canals. After the surgery she has to refrain from any water activities for three weeks. The patches have to heal properly.
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