Kindergarten Boy!

Devin started KINDERGARTEN on Tuesday!!! What a big boy!! Here he is, ready to go Tuesday morning in front of our house with his pack back and name tag on. We were just about ready to head over to our neighbor's house where he hangs out for about a half hour before she brings Devin and her grand daughter to school in the morning (I pick them up in the afternoon). The kids go to a private kindergarten from 9am to 2pm.

Once he was at school, it seems like the kids got right to work. He brought home a paper in which he copied the alphabet and wrote his name and told me about doing some math- writing his numbers (but I didn't see it). The concept of "seat work" was definitely something that Devin did not welcome with open arms and we had to talk about that Tuesday night and do a bit of practicing. I'm told he did much better with this on Wednesday (yay!). In some ways I do feel bad for the kid with his mom being a teacher and all.

I am super-happy about his teacher being strict and expecting near-perfect behavior from him though. While she expects this, she is also understanding that there is some adjustment time needed and that he is having some health problems (see below). I'm hoping this helps to prepare him with great behavior for first grade in public school next year.

On Wednesday he told me that he worked on patterning and that his was blue, yellow, blue yellow, etc. They got to make their pattern with stamps. He really enjoyed this. They also did a Bible Story with the pastor and he told me about how God made all of us. I'm so glad that he is able to get the Christian aspect of education this year without being in a Catholic school.
Through all of this Devin has been battling an ear infection....since his surgery on August 23. His poor right ear has been so angry that its resisted the Floxin drops, azithromycin (oral antibiotics), and the Cortosporin drops (when used alone). He is now on Cefdinir (oral antibiotics) as well as the Cortosporin drops. I sure hope this does the trick! He is due for some relief (which is what I was hoping for with the surgery!). We are scheduled to go for a recheck with the specialist in Boston next Thursday.

Signing off for Now,
Mom of a Kindergartener....Karla

Surgery Outcome

This was BEFORE the surgery, see how happy Devin looks here? It took a little bribery and reassuring to calm him down, though. We had a great discussion at dinner the night before the procedure where I explained to Devin what was going to take place the next morning and allowed him to ask questions. He seemed fine. We got up early and headed into Boston and all was fine still. Once it was time to put on these pajamas, though, something clicked for Devin and he got REALLY freaked out! I think he was extremely nervous all of a sudden. We talked to him and told him that it was okay to be a bit nervous and okay I admit I bribed him with a new Wii game (Cars 2) if he "did a good job." (Hey, I was desperate!!!! I don't even like for him to play that much Wii!)

Overall, things went fine with his surgery. The biggest surprise was that it wasn't his re-grown adenoids like his Pediatric ENT suspected from the x-rays (she had told us this was possible because of shadowing). It was actually what is called Gerlach Tonsils. They are very swollen (hence the shadowing on the x-rays) and blocking the Eustachian tubes from working properly and causing all of Devin's symptoms (fluid in the ears, nasal congestion/allergy type symptoms, headaches/pressure, hearing loss). The placement of tubes (set #3 for Devin) should alleviate these symptoms for the duration of the tubes. It is likely that the symptoms will return once the tubes fall out and then we will have to discuss action at that time.

Poor Devin had a very difficult time coming out the anesthesia. He was crying and screaming and thrashing around. Three nurses and myself trying to calm him, soothe him. Once he started to wake up a little he started screaming, "I can't hear! I can't hear!" Now, up until that point I was holding it together very well. I was strong, hadn't cried. We've been through this twice before. I'm a veteran. Once he started screaming, "I can't hear anything!" I got scared. I couldn't help it. I felt bad for my baby. I was worried something was wrong. I knew the doctor had to put tubes in his ears because there was cotton in them... but I hadn't spoken to her yet. Erick had just been allowed in recovery with me and he looked worried, said he spoke to the doctor briefly and Devin has some "condition" but he couldn't remember what it was called. Something wrong with his ears.... That's when my tears started flowing. I didn't want Devin to see me crying so I kept my face away from him. The nurses got me some tissues and patted me on the back. Erick took Devin in his lap (I had been trying to rock him) and calmed him down with a Popsicle (got to love distraction).

We waited there in recovery for what felt like forever. It was probably only an hour or two but we were waiting for the doctor because she wanted to talk to us. We watched Devin's stats- his O2 is fantastic considering he has been off of his asthma medication since June! and rubbed his back. We could tell when he was feeling better because he started wiggling his finger enough to make the alarm go off on the stat monitor (is that what its called??) on purpose....little stinker!

She finally came in, once she had a break in between surgeries I guess, and explained to us what the Gerlach Tonsils were doing to Devin and what it meant for him in the future. I was disappointed to learn he had to get tubes put back in, as was he (that means ear plugs when he swims- and he LOVES to swim under water!) and that he will likely encounter all of these issues again when this set of tubes fall out. *sigh* Its been such a long road for Devin and all of his ear problems. I guess in one way its good to know WHY he is having all of these issues. On the other hand, I recognize that it could be so much worse.

We are so grateful to Devin's Pediatric ENT Doctor and all of the fantastic nurses and staff at Mass Eye and Ear. EVERYONE was just wonderful with us, especially with Devin. We have not one complaint. Thank you God for taking care of my baby.

Summer's End

With only one week left in my summer vacation I realize that I've hardly blogged all summer. We haven't done a whole lot this summer, in terms of big vacations or hitting the "hot spots" but we've had a great summer. In summary we've spent a lot of time at the pool and just enjoyed being at home. We've done the typical park trips and visited with friends and grandparents. We went to the ocean and the lake once, as well as an amusement park.

Its been a laid back summer, and I'm okay with that. I think we have all enjoyed ourselves and each other and that's the most important part. Devin is set to start kindergarten in two weeks and I will return to teaching next week.

First, though, we have Devin's second adenoidectomy at Mass Eye and Ear tomorrow. She may put in tubes set #3 as well, but she will decide during surgery. This should alleviate the fluid in the ears that Devin had all last winter (that resulted in hearing loss, behavior issues, ear pain, and headaches). These issues haven't been as prevalent this summer, but we all fully expect they would return after summer. Here's to hoping that Devin's surgery goes smoothly and his issues are cured!!

Enjoy the last few weeks of summer!

2%

Good thing I held back that 2%.

The ENT said the ears are clear. (I was in complete shock!) We go back in 6 weeks to check on the tube that's falling out of Devin's right ear. He agreed with me that it came out so quickly because of his rapid growth.

What's causing Devin's obnoxious behavior the past couple of days, you ask? Just being a typical 3 year old boy. That's what my Mom said anyway.

Back to Square One

Remember in February when Devin had surgery to have ear tubes put in to ease all of his ear infections? Well, apparently his right tube has already fallen out of place! I blame it on his rapid pace of growth. The pediatrician told me that it is not unheard of for the tube(s) to come out this soon, but I really hoped/expected them to last through one full winter (they typically last about a year or more).

Ugh, so anyway, we are right back at square one already...with an EAR INFECTION!

Devin started with a nasty, mucus sounding cough on Saturday and it has just been sitting there with him all week. We have been attached to the Nebulizer, doing treatments 2-3 times a day. Last night he woke up with a high fever and vomiting. We were up half the night. Poor Devin was so sick! First thing this morning we were off to the doctor. I was not surprised when she said he had an ear infection. I was relieved when she said his chest sounded clear and I was surprised when his Pulse Ox was only 95 with all of the Neb meds we have been doing!

Hopefully Devin will get better quickly now that he is on antibiotics!

ENT says...

Time for the TUBES again and take out those adenoids!

The second part was a surprise to me. He asked me a few questions such as, "Does Devin snore?" (Yes) And observed his heavy open mouthed breathing and suggested that most likely his adenoids are enlarged and recommended taking them out. He thinks that this will improve Devin's ear drainage, breathing (different from his asthma), and snoring issues.

The great part is that it only adds 10-15 minutes to the surgery and a day to the recovery (so total 25-30 minute surgery and 2 day recovery period- at home). We had his ear plugs/molds made while we were at the office yesterday. Devin chose blue plugs with a blue case (same as I chose for him when he was a baby!).

Surgery: Tuesday Feb 24th

It's Official: My Son is Back!

Just a quick update to let you know that my son is officially back! The difference between this child currently residing in my house and the insane child who was here last week is unspeakable!

It was so wonderful to pick him up from school today and be greeted with a joyful "Mommy!" and warm smile, be able to put on his coat and hat without chasing him around the building, walk out to the car and buckle him in to the car seat, and make a stop on the way home without one melt down. We also went for a quick walk to the mailbox when we got home, since its staying lighter a little bit later now (yay!). When we came in Devin showed me that he had learned "Ring Around the Rosy" and we played several rounds of that and then did the laundry together. He ate all his dinner and spent some time with Daddy too.

All in all things have been great around here today!

Later this week: Results of the ENT appointment.....

UPDATE on Devin

Devin seems like he is beginning to get better. Today is the first day we have started to notice a difference. One of the biggest problems in Devin being sick, is his behavior. I don't mean that he is just a little bit fussy, I mean that he is FULL FLEDGED disobedient! He obviously has a hard time hearing because of the severity of the ear infections he has been getting, but then he proceeds to double on that by ignoring and talking back, being defiant. He is mean and rude. He hits, pushes, and hurts. He does everything he knows he should not do. He does everything that he doesn't do when he is healthy.

It is VERY frustrating. It is wearing physically, emotionally, and mentally. We try to remind each other that this too shall pass. We need to get through this....see him through this ear infection...and it will get better.

But today there was a bit of light! By the time I picked him up from school he had started listening and behaving again! Not completely, but oh so much better!!! My Devin was back, I found my beautiful wonderful son again!

We go to the ENT on Wednesday. *Hoping for round 2 of tubes to come Feb 24th*

Please pray that Devin does not get another ear infection in the mean time!!!!

Priceless

Going to the doctors' offices in the past 2 weeks....$150

Medicine for the past 2 weeks....$50

Amount equal to getting my family healthy again....PRICELESS!!!!

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Thankfully I am feeling about 85% better, and Erick is probably about 90% better. Its now Devin we have to get on the feel-better train! He has another double bursting ear infection on top of this virus that Erick and I had! Poor kid. We will be bringing Devin back to the ENT (Ear Nose Throat) soon. More to come on that as the situation develops!