Ear Tubes & Adenoids, Oh My!

It's been awhile since I've blogged! We spent November & December sick, so blogging wasn't really a priority. Poor Sophie caught a cold in November, which morphed into a double ear infection by Thanksgiving Day. The fluid never drained, so every time she developed a runny nose, the consequence was an ear infection. She suffered through six between Thanksgiving and New Years before we could get her in to see an ENT. Luckily, he was able to operate two days later.

Even though ear tubes and the removal of adenoids is a simple procedure, with minimal risk, I was still nervous about the surgery. I didn't sleep very well the night before, and was up well before my alarm went off the day of surgery. Luckily, a friend of mine would be the anesthesiologist, and I knew she would treat Sophie as her own. We arrived at the hospital at 7am on January 10. I filled out all the paperwork and we were quickly brought back to prepare for surgery. Sophie has been through 4 rounds of antibiotic shots the last two weeks, so anytime she sees a nurse and has to lay on a bed, she freaks out. We could barely get her weight. I actually had to get her to stand on the "big girl" scale, which, fortunately, was similar to the one we have at home. They took us to a private room, and her nurse had placed a small pink teddy bear on her bed. I thought that was very sweet. Crystal, our pre-op nurse, took great care of Sophie, and put her at ease immediately. Sophie was pretty cooperative, allowing Crystal to take her vitals and she even put on the tiniest hospital gown I've ever seen. Steven and I documented everything with pictures and a few videos. God Bless Steve Jobs and apple! We had a TV in our room, complete with Direct TV, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse happened to be on, so Sophie and I curled up in the hospital bed and watched Mickey. They brought in "silly juice", which is what they give children before surgery to relax them so they aren't dragged into the OR kicking and screaming. Of course, Sophie wouldn't take it, so Crystal and I were forced to hold her down. She didn't get the full dose, so she wasn't totally out of it when Dr. Higgins, our anesthesiologist, came to get her. Dr. Higgins and the OR nurse proceeded to get into a small argument over who had the privilege of carrying Sophie into the OR. They both wanted the honor! But since Jenny is a friend of mine, she won!

Sophie, in her hospital gown before surgery.

I cannot explain the feeling of handing over your baby to another person before surgery. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I knew they'd be taking her into the OR. I knew she'd be getting gas and an IV. I knew she'd be getting SURGERY, and that for the next 30 minutes, I had absolutely no control over anything, except my own emotions. Even though the procedure is simple, it is still surgery. Sophie cried as I handed her over, but as soon as they rounded the corner she stopped. I held it together, and managed not to cry. I made it through the next 30 minutes by reading sweet and supportive texts and Facebook posts from my family & friends. The cool thing about Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital is they actually send you updates via text throughout the procedure. So we knew when she went under, when the surgery began, and when it was finished. Pretty neat!

Dr. Mock came out and told us she did great, and they were taking her to recovery. Dr, Higgins came in and told me Sophie was a little slow to wake up in the OR, which is why it was taking a little longer for them to bring her back to her room. My aunt had already warned me that kids come out of anaesthesia angry, and she was right. I could hear Sophie screaming once she fully woke up. Two post op nurses brought her out to us, and she was thrashing and crying uncontrollably. Surprisingly, this didn't really bother me because I was prepared for this reaction. It took me about 15 minutes to calm her down, and for her to realize that I was holding her. Then she snuggled up on my chest and went to sleep. The hardest part was seeing her little hand with an IV, and the little green bandage on her arm. She was totally out of it at first, but after about half an hour, she was more alert. Steven would ask her questions, and she would softly answer "yes" with her eyes closed and head on my shoulder. Precious. We were in recovery for about an hour, and then sent home! Sophie slept for about two hours, and then proceeded to eat pretty much the rest of the day. She was happy, active, and her old self again.

Passed out after surgery. Note the IV and green bandage.

Until Friday. When she woke up running a fever of 103.3. I lost it. I was sobbing. Steven had already left for work, and it was 7 am, so the surgeon's office wasn't open yet. I gave her Advil, changed her out of her fleece pajamas and into some lightweight cotton pj's. Sophie wouldn't eat or drink, and she wouldn't stop crying. Then she threw up. I called my mother crying, and I have never been so scared in my life.  I was convinced she had a horrible infection related to surgery. By 8am, her fever had lowered to about 101. I rushed her to the surgeon at 9am, only to find out she just had a viral infection and it wasn't connected to the surgery. He gave her ANOTHER shot of antibiotics just in case. Sophie ran fever for four days. She was checked for flu, which fortunately came back negative. She was scheduled for a chest X-ray today, but since she went 24 hours without fever, it wasn't necessary, and she was able to go to school! Hopefully we are in the clear, and can stay healthy until next cold & flu season. Sophie has her post op appointment on Friday, after which she will be cleared for swimming, as long as she wears ear plugs!

Sophie admiring the awesome balloon bouquet from her friend Barrett.

 I have to say that the most remarkable parts of this journey were first, the strength of my little girl, and second, how amazing our friends have been throughout this ordeal. Sophie never lost her spirit, and she only cried when she really hurt. She suffered through six painful infections, 5 rounds of shots, surgery, and a viral infection post op; and through it all, remained her loving self. I have also been amazed at how supportive our friends have been. Texting, calling, emailing to check on Sophie and myself. Some of these friends we have only know a short while. Barrett, who is in Sophie's class, and his mom Kristin, brought her a huge bouquet of balloons Friday. She is STILL carrying them around the house. I sent Kristin texts all weekend worrying over Sophie's fever, and she always responded. Jenny, Kacy, Adriane, Abby, Jessica, Danielle, Angel, Eva, my Aunt Tracy, our parents, and so many of my friends posting on Facebook, her dance teacher and my friend Kali, her teachers at school.... So many people who love and care for Sophie- too many to name individually. It meant so much to me. Thank You. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for caring about my little girl.

Sophie and I are ready for warmer weather, so we can go to the park! She has been sick for so long, and we are ready to play. We are so fortunate that none of her problems were life threatening, and for this we are infinitely grateful. I will take ear infections and surgery any day over anything more serious. My heart goes out to all of the parents out there who have very sick children. Stay healthy, everyone! XOXO