Ben had surgery to have ear tubes inserted about six weeks ago. We were on the fence about the whole procedure, but in the end we decided that after five ear infections in seven months, they would be a good idea. Add to that, his hearing was slightly reduced due to a lack of drainage, and it was a simple choice.
As soon as we made that choice, set up a dr's appt, began filling out forms, he of course stopped getting ear infections. As a matter of fact, until last week, his last ear infection was November 9th. Amazing how it can be burned into your brain like that. Last week he was due for his surgery followup procedure. We'd followed the instructions, used the drops, kept his ears dry (no swimming classes), and had some discharge, but nothing awful. We were cautiously hopeful.
In the week preceeding the appointment he had more discharge - a thick, waxy discharge that seemed almost crystaline in nature. It was nothing like what they had described as an ear infection (thick, foul-smelling pus), so we simply wiped it away and eyed the calendar.
I took him in for an 8:30 hearing test and a 9:30 dr's appointment, and while his hearing was slightly better than the last test we had, it still wasn't great. It was, "ok'. There was still some loss because...
... his ears were completely blocked by the discharge from an infection! The doctor put him in a straight-jacket type device attached to a board, and with the help of an assistant, used a microscope with suction to clean out his ears. This left him screaming in rage, and me weak and sniffling as they handed me tissues and patted my shoulder gently. We have a followup appointment in three months, another prescription for antibiotics (oral) and a kid with a raging ear infection.
I wish this would stop.
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