Visit to the ENT

Of course, the one morning I have to be out the door early with a baby, and I sleep like poop in fear I won't wake up in time, and the lil guy sleeps in and I have to wake him up to eat so we can go. L had an Ear Nose Throat (ENT) appointment first thing to get him approved and set up for tubes (poor guy has had 4 ear infections in the past 4-5 months, 2 in one month!).



We got there at 7:45 am, got checked in and waited for his hearing test. We were taken back by a super nice assistant, who L thought was pretty funny. First his ears were checked to make sure that he didn't have any infections. Both ears looked good, but he was suspecting there was a little fluid build up, possibly from his previous infection. Next, he was hooked up to a machine that checked the wave length of his ear drum. Sadly, the lines were flat, meaning my little peanut wasn't hearing anything.

::my heart broke once again for him. Really? Really? REALLY? He can't hear?::

 Then we went into a little booth where there was a chair, and I was told that he was going to play some sounds with videos, and the goal was for L to look in the direction of the noise, and the video. I was instructed to just hold him, and not help him in any way; fine I can do that, I WANT him to get the help he needs. The first sound played to the left....nothing...he didn't even move his head or flinch. It grew louder, and louder, and louder... nope nothing. Once again this mamas heart broke. Video, then sound on the right side. Phew! He looked. Then video. This continued on for a few more times rotating sound with video, and sound again. L even got to where he was waiting for the video in the neutral position so I was impressed he caught on to that so quickly. The assistant, then called L name and talked to him on both sides, and in front of him. Then L was over the sound game, and wanted to turn and look and play with mama, which was perfect because we were done. He told me there was some hearing loss, and it was most likely from the fluid build up. It seemed more dominant in his left ear.

 Finally, we were taken back to the audiologist waiting area where we were quickly called in by a super friendly nurse. She was impressed with his mood, and liked that I scheduled it specifically around nap time.

 ::uh you don't want a cranky infant in a doctors office trying to be examined any more than I do. We had places to go, plus I did my hair today. Ha!::

Fun waiting for the doctor

Any hoo, the doctor checked his ears (no infection, possible fluid buildup). He asked what type of infections he had, and if there was any puss. I told him that I was mainly told it was a "bulging infection" and I took him in one time for drainage, mainly in his left ear. He noticed that one of the ear drums had a spot where it was grown differently, and it was because of a rupture that healed itself, which was just fine. ::thank you Lord!:: He was really shocked that the other two were not in there with us from ear issues ::thank you again Lord:: After he looked at L ears he talked about the procedure and showed me a sample of the tube that will be put it. When he started telling me about a ventilator/respirator, and how L was big enough for anthesia from a mask, so he was wanted to go that route, I about laughed at him. I guess all the stuff we went through in the NICU has made me not as fearful nervous when they have to have a procedure done. Yes of course I worry, but they seem SO minor compared to those previous 103 days. I did tell him that we have had experience with a ventilator/respirator, and if possible, we would like to steer clear of that route unless absolutely necessary. Once the procedure is done, L should have his hearing fully back. I cannot wait to see the changes in his personality, and also in his speech development. He is doing great with it, but I am sure it is just going to take off.

I should note that while he was feeling his adenoids and tonsils I asked him if they were on the larger side. He said they were and asked if he snored; nope. Now I had him curious why I was asking. I told him that when I was 18 my ENT FINALLY took my tonsils out. He said they were some of the largest he had ever seen, and compared them to the size of an egg. He did confirm that it can be hereditary, but since they are currently not causing any problems and he is so small he was going to leave them alone.... for now. 

I like his audiologist and trusted him. He talked to me like a person, and answered all of the random questions. (For instance did you know that the ear drum grows until you die? Some ear drums grow outside of peoples ears and along their outer ear so it looks like a flap of skin. See if I didn't ask him when he mentioned the ear drum healing itself, none of us would know that random fact.

So I signed my life away, was given some paper work and headed home to the rest of the crew feeling hopeful, and I guess you could say at ease.

Sometime this week I will write another novel about our surprise trip to the beach; lets just say it was FABULOUS!!!