Grayson is now just over 13 months old and he is walking all over the place. He is generally such a happy, easy going baby. However, he has had several ear infections over his first year. We finally got to the point in January where his pediatrician recommended that we take G to see an ENT specialist. It was not great news, but we literally could not keep going on the way that we were.
We had both heard the stories about babies getting tubes and how it is supposed to be extremely helpful, but this is our baby. Our pediatrician referred us to Dr. Wasylik. After finding out where her office (one of her offices) was located, it luckily turns out that our friend Donna is a nurse in the Odessa office. We were relieved to know that not only was the doctor highly recommended by Donna, but she would be there on the day we were visiting as well.
Grayson first had a hearing test and the audiologist noticed that he had fluid in both of his ears right away. I sat in a sound proof room with him and listened to all the puppets, rain and waterfall sounds. He barely heard the rain or the waterfall, but responded to the sound of the women's voice as well as the puppets who were banging on drums. He did not fare too well on this test, but the woman wanted us to talk to Dr. Wasylik first before getting anxious.
I should mention that my sister also went with us to this appointment. I asked her to come, because some times there are things that her nurse brain thinks of that we don't. Also, some times I need things dumbed down from the way they are delivered from medical professionals (this happened a lot when I was pregnant). We joked later that the entire office probably thought that Ben had sister wives or something because my new nephew, Micah, was at the appointment as well. It was quite the sight to see.
When we finally got to meet Dr. Wasylik, she was everything Donna said she would be! She was calm and reassuring, but also realistic with us about the procedures and what is going on with Grayson. Basically, there is so much thick fluid in both ears, that it is a breeding ground for the ear infections. Most likely, the ear infections have never really gone fully away. The fluid is what they call "glue ear" and it is almost like boogers (this is what the medical doctor said - I can not make this stuff up!).
So, because this nonsense has been going on for so long, she suggested that we get moving sooner rather than later. This sort of thing can lead to permanent hearing loss as well as delayed speech. The doctor is going to drain the fluid in both ears, put in the tubes and possibly take out his adenoid as well. The whole procedure, even if the adenoids are taken out, is about 20 minutes. All in all, he will be there for about 3 hours this coming Wednesday.
Ben and I are both relieved that we finally know what is really going on with Grayson and hopefully that this solution will be long term. With that being said, we are obviously also very nervous about the procedure because he will be going under anesthesia. However, Donna has already claimed him and her patient on Wednesday so we are very happy that Grayson will see someone he knows (and likes!) when he wakes up.
So, keep G (and his concerned, tired parents) in your thoughts and prayers on Wednesday and we will keep you posted. That is all for now - picture for cuteness (this is what you get when you let a toddler play with your Sweaty Bands...)
B&L&G
