Ethan's Surgery

After three ear infections over the course of two months, and a failed hearing exam at his four-year old checkup, Ethan was referred to a pediatric ENT. We went to see him, and they did a traditional hearing test, much more accurate than what they do at a regular pediatrician. He did show slight hearing loss due to the buildup of fluid in both ears. So, the ENT recommended that Ethan get tubes. At the same time, the doctor would look at his adenoids to see if they were inflamed or infected. If they were, then he would perform an adenoidectomy, as well as the tubes.

So, on Friday, April 3rd, Brian, Ethan, and I headed off to the pediatric surgical center, while my mom babysat Kaden. We checked in around 9:45 a.m., and as typical with anything medically-related, it was hurry up and wait. Here's a picture of Ethan playing in the outside waiting room, before they took us back to the patient area.

Once they took us back to the patient area, they got Ethan all set up with a DVD player, and whatever movie he wanted to watch. At that point we were waiting for the doctor, who was running a bit behind. Ethan didn't mind the waiting; below is a picture of him watching a movie.

After waiting probably an hour or so, the nurse finally came back to give Ethan his "silly juice". That is how they refer to the sedative that they give them so they are relaxed when going back to the operating room. Brian and I thought they were going to have to come back with a second dose, because after close to 30 minutes, Ethan was still his usual bouncing off the wall self. But it finally seemed to take effect, and they wheeled him off to the OR. Here is a picture of Ethan playing "patient". I think he might have started feeling the effects of the sedative at this point, as he was getting a little unsteady!


Brian and I were shown to the parent waiting room, and about 15 or 20 minutes later, the doctor came in to update us. The doctor scoped Ethan's adenoids, and they were not inflamed or infected, so he got to keep them! The eardrums were cut, drained, and tubes inserted with no problems. About five minutes later, we heard Ethan crying in the recovery area. They came to get us, and poor Ethan was so disoriented, he was just crying over nothing. The nurses were fantastic, and I sat with Ethan in a rocking chair and rocked him while he zonked out for a bit, letting the anesthesia wear off. Rocking a four year old is quite a feat! After about 45 minutes, Ethan was somewhat awake, and ready to go home. He slept most of the way home in the car, and when he did wake up, he would complain that he was very sleepy. But, in typical Ethan fashion, once we got home, he perked up and wouldn't take a nap!

Ethan's ears so far seem to be doing well. We had to do antibiotic eardrops twice a day for a week, so that was a challenge, to say the least! But once those were completed, everyone was much happier! We go back for a checkup in a few weeks, where they will do another hearing test. So here's hoping for a good report!