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!

Surgery

Today was the day....the day for ear tubes and adenoidectomy that is! The picture above is Devin in the waiting room before we went into the back to get prepped. When Devin was all ready to go in (and Mommy was all dressed up in her jumpsuit) the camera phone wanted to take a video! Silly thing! And time was tight, so alas no picture of the cutie in his johnny.

Devin did extremely well with surgery. We got him dressed, as I mentioned, and I put on the jumpsuit so that I could bring him in and stay with him until he was asleep. He started to get nervous once we were inside the operating room. I pointed out his Ear Nose and Throat Doctor, whom he is familiar with and the doctor said hello to him and then I put him on the table. I stroked Devin's face and placed his bear close as I talked to him. They put the sleepy gas mask up close to his face and I told him how it was just like doing his nebulizer "mask" at home. Devin was okay with the mask because he is so used to doing the neb. He started saying, "I want Mommy, I want Mommy!" but in a calm tired kind of way. That was sad. Once he fell asleep he was snoring and his eyes were half closed and I felt sad as I left.

We waited for a half hour in the waiting room nearby. Erick went and got me a caramel macciatto (sp?) from the mini Starbucks in the hospital caf. YUM!

The 1/2 hour went by fairly quickly and the doctor came in to tell us that the surgery went well. There was a lot of fluid in the ears, which he removed, and the adenoids were large as suspected. We had to wait another 10 or 15 minutes until they were ready for us to come in to be with Devin. When I went in, I got to hold my big boy like a little baby. That made me feel like a very much needed mommy. He was all wrapped up in a warm blanket and still lacking head control. He quickly gained back control of himself as he perked up a lot when he saw us and wanted juice and then had a Popsicle. It was a rapid process from there. He had some toast and soon we were released and on our way home.

At home Devin took two naps today, a 2.5 hour nap and an almost 2 hour nap. He has been treated with ice cream and cookies (but yes, he also had yogurt and milk and a real dinner!) and lots of TV.

Now we just hope that all of this was worth it! I hope that this increases his health, well-being, and his hearing.