LJ gets Tubes in his Ears
LJ's surgery is behind us, and I am so happy to say, so far everything seems very well!
LJ has been diagnosed with Eustachian tube dysfunction, so we got a surgical procedure to put tubes in his ears to equalize the pressure. Here is a link for anyone that is interested in reading more about the condition or surgery: http://oghalailab.stanford.edu/eust_tub.html
Since we are not even in cold season, and LJ has already had both ears full of fluid and pus, we decided getting tubes was the best option for him. We did not want him to suffer as he did last year, fighting chronic ear infections and fluid in his ears for over 6 months. So after meeting with an ENT, we decided the benefits outweighed the risks for him and scheduled his surgery. Basically, these tubes should prevent fluid build up in his middle ear and thus prevent infections this winter. Also, we don't want to continue putting him on antibiotics or risk permanent hearing damage (which could occur with recurring fluid in ears or infections).
But before the surgery, we had to get LJ on an antibiotic to clear out the fluid and pus that was already in his ear (we didn't even know if was there until doctor saw it at his well check- makes me sad to think LJ is so used to this fluid that he doesn't even complain!). So we scheduled the surgery for the first available appointment after he finished his 10 days of antibiotics- which landed on a Tuesday morning.
Monday afternoon (day before surgery) we had a quick appointment to make sure that LJ's ears were clear enough to proceed with surgery the morning. Doctor said everything looked good, and we were cleared for surgery.
LJ loved the doctor who did his check too- she looked in his ears and said "OH! I see butterflies in there!" He died laughing and has been talking about his butterflies ever since!
In the chair getting his ears checked on Monday...
Evan waiting patiently while LJ's talking to doctor...
Gigi was so nice to come into town to be here for LJ on his surgery day. We decided it best that Barrett stay home with Evan in case he woke up (since Gigi really only has use of one hand- hard to pick up a baby, change diapers, make bfast, etc!)... And LJ would probably rather have his Gigi there than anyone :)
On Tuesday, we had to be at the hospital at 5:30 am- which is very early for us!- so we got everything ready, loaded in the car, woke LJ up at 5:10, and put him straight into the car to drive to the hospital. I was actually thinking he would fall back asleep, but he didn't! He said awake and just looked around the entire drive there. As soon as we got to the hospital, he perked up and became a happy little chatterbox! He got busy coloring with Gigi immediately as I got him all checked in.
By about 5:45 we were in pre-op, and LJ was in a great mood! Happy to meet all the doctors and nurses, told everyone his name, gave them high fives, etc! They were calling him the super-star patient!
Pretty great pre-op room for a 2 year old! They also had Toy Story 2 playing which happens to be LJ's very favorite movie right now! Happy camper!
The anesthesiologist came in and have him a mask to practice 'blowing up a huge balloon' with... LJ got very excited about this and practiced on and off for the next 30 mins- never letting go of his mask! I told him about this mask on Monday and how cool it would be (like an astronaut), and I think it was even better than expected in person!
Cuddling with Gigi, watching Toy Story, still holding his mask!
Happy...
When it was time to go, around 6:40 am, the nurse aesthetician just said "Ready?" and reached out her hand. LJ grabbed it and walked off into the OR, never even looking back! We were shocked- and so was nurse! She looked back with a huge grin and gave us a thumbs up!
They said he did so great, got very into 'blowing up his balloon', and we heard from doctor and nurse that he was one of their best patients in a very long time! We were only away from him for about 30 minutes total- and the surgery itself actually lasted under ten minutes.
Doctor came out and said all went very well. He said he sucked a LOT of very thick fluid from his ears and that LJ should already be hearing much better today!
Just a few minutes later the recovery nurse came to get us- LJ was waking up. He was crying for me right before we walked in- but get over it quickly. And I think something may have been hurting his neck because I noticed a big red mark- but they didn't know what caused it :(
We had some juice in the recovery room, LJ was happy again, hugged everyone goodbye, and we were on our way home at 7:30 am!
LJ fastened in the car seat and ready to get home!
We thought he'd go right back to sleep... that did NOT happen! He laid in bed with Gigi for a couple hours (I think they watched Dumbo), and then we gave up on sleep and decided to go shopping!
We got home from shopping to find an exciting gift had arrived from LJ's cousins... a box of Tiff's Treats cookies with a balloon! LJ was so excited!
Thanks Eagle Jr, Locke, Kate, and Lauren... He has been on a happy sugar high!!
We thought for sure after being up so early, and for so long, he would fall asleep immediately... but instead he took about 2 hours to fall asleep!
Reading a book in bed...
He was in a great mood all evening, and not complaining about any pain. He doesn't mind when we have to put his ear drops in either- in fact I think it tickles him a little! Praying a smooth recovery continues... Thanks for everyone's support, thoughts, prayers, love... means so much!!!
- The Wood Family
LJ has been diagnosed with Eustachian tube dysfunction, so we got a surgical procedure to put tubes in his ears to equalize the pressure. Here is a link for anyone that is interested in reading more about the condition or surgery: http://oghalailab.stanford.edu/eust_tub.html
Since we are not even in cold season, and LJ has already had both ears full of fluid and pus, we decided getting tubes was the best option for him. We did not want him to suffer as he did last year, fighting chronic ear infections and fluid in his ears for over 6 months. So after meeting with an ENT, we decided the benefits outweighed the risks for him and scheduled his surgery. Basically, these tubes should prevent fluid build up in his middle ear and thus prevent infections this winter. Also, we don't want to continue putting him on antibiotics or risk permanent hearing damage (which could occur with recurring fluid in ears or infections).
But before the surgery, we had to get LJ on an antibiotic to clear out the fluid and pus that was already in his ear (we didn't even know if was there until doctor saw it at his well check- makes me sad to think LJ is so used to this fluid that he doesn't even complain!). So we scheduled the surgery for the first available appointment after he finished his 10 days of antibiotics- which landed on a Tuesday morning.
Monday afternoon (day before surgery) we had a quick appointment to make sure that LJ's ears were clear enough to proceed with surgery the morning. Doctor said everything looked good, and we were cleared for surgery.
LJ loved the doctor who did his check too- she looked in his ears and said "OH! I see butterflies in there!" He died laughing and has been talking about his butterflies ever since!
In the chair getting his ears checked on Monday...
Evan waiting patiently while LJ's talking to doctor...
Gigi was so nice to come into town to be here for LJ on his surgery day. We decided it best that Barrett stay home with Evan in case he woke up (since Gigi really only has use of one hand- hard to pick up a baby, change diapers, make bfast, etc!)... And LJ would probably rather have his Gigi there than anyone :)
On Tuesday, we had to be at the hospital at 5:30 am- which is very early for us!- so we got everything ready, loaded in the car, woke LJ up at 5:10, and put him straight into the car to drive to the hospital. I was actually thinking he would fall back asleep, but he didn't! He said awake and just looked around the entire drive there. As soon as we got to the hospital, he perked up and became a happy little chatterbox! He got busy coloring with Gigi immediately as I got him all checked in.
By about 5:45 we were in pre-op, and LJ was in a great mood! Happy to meet all the doctors and nurses, told everyone his name, gave them high fives, etc! They were calling him the super-star patient!
 |
| Nurse asking him questions... |
Pretty great pre-op room for a 2 year old! They also had Toy Story 2 playing which happens to be LJ's very favorite movie right now! Happy camper!
The anesthesiologist came in and have him a mask to practice 'blowing up a huge balloon' with... LJ got very excited about this and practiced on and off for the next 30 mins- never letting go of his mask! I told him about this mask on Monday and how cool it would be (like an astronaut), and I think it was even better than expected in person!
Happy...
When it was time to go, around 6:40 am, the nurse aesthetician just said "Ready?" and reached out her hand. LJ grabbed it and walked off into the OR, never even looking back! We were shocked- and so was nurse! She looked back with a huge grin and gave us a thumbs up!
They said he did so great, got very into 'blowing up his balloon', and we heard from doctor and nurse that he was one of their best patients in a very long time! We were only away from him for about 30 minutes total- and the surgery itself actually lasted under ten minutes.
Doctor came out and said all went very well. He said he sucked a LOT of very thick fluid from his ears and that LJ should already be hearing much better today!
Just a few minutes later the recovery nurse came to get us- LJ was waking up. He was crying for me right before we walked in- but get over it quickly. And I think something may have been hurting his neck because I noticed a big red mark- but they didn't know what caused it :(
We had some juice in the recovery room, LJ was happy again, hugged everyone goodbye, and we were on our way home at 7:30 am!
LJ fastened in the car seat and ready to get home!
 |
| A big hug for his Gigi! |
We got home from shopping to find an exciting gift had arrived from LJ's cousins... a box of Tiff's Treats cookies with a balloon! LJ was so excited!
We thought for sure after being up so early, and for so long, he would fall asleep immediately... but instead he took about 2 hours to fall asleep!Reading a book in bed...
- The Wood Family
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