I"ll have the tubes please

For those of you who think that our child is annoyingly perfect, you'll be happy to hear that is no longer the case.  Our Ryleigh suffers from....wait for it....chronic otits media. dun dun DUUUUNNNN!!!!

oh snap. 

Since Thanksgiving Ryleigh has experienced 4 double ear infections, which I guess would actually be 8 ear infections, and that is not good.  She gets super fussy, acts really clingy, and experiences raging fevers.  Basically since Thanksgiving she has been on anti-biotics for 10 days, then off 10 days, then on for 10 days, and off for 10 days, etc.  It has been really annoying and my co-payments are really starting to make a dent in my weekly paycheck. 

Ryleigh visited the ENT earlier this month where he checked her ears (confirmed, her otitis media) and also performed hearing tests to ensure she wasn't experiencing any hearing loss.  Since she only appeared to be experiencing fluid in her ears, we made the decision to hold off on surgery.  Well 5 days later, little Miss became a walking furnace and from our experience it only meant one thing.  Ear infections.

Curse you otitis media!!  Back to the ENT we went, where he immediately scheduled Ryleigh to get her tubes in.  So bright and early this morning (so early in fact, it wasn't even bright!), we headed to the surgical center. 

First things first....get into the uber chic hospital gown & booties (she rocked it!). 

ready for the runway

"Ma! My shirt is on backwards!"

Next, get tagged like a wild Goose to thwart any ideas of baby swapping (note the trendy anklet, all the celebrities are sporting them these days).

"C'mon guys, lets get outta here, something is definitely up!"

Now Ryleigh had to pass the test.  The dreaded social butterfly test aadministered by the highly trained anesthesiologist.  He reached for her, she accepted.  He walked with her, she took in the sights.  PASS! (I mean, did you even doubt?)  His verdict?  Ryleigh did not need any "liquid courage" in order to get her into the surgical room...which was not the case for the poor boy next door.  We watched him pass by on his way to surgery using pencils as drumsticks on his head.  I mean, he seemed to think it was genius.

who puts a red wagon in a pre-op room?!

you can't contain this!!

Ryleigh was then taken to the surgery room and Daddy & I made our way to the waiting room.  It was only about 15 minutes and the doctor was back out to tell us that she did smashingly!  For those who don't know, they made tiny incisions in Ryleigh's eardrums, inserted tiny tubes which allow for air to flow to the middle ear equalizing the pressure.  Preventing any pressure results in a lack of fluid buildup which is what causes the ear infections.  Dr. Rosen informed us that she did have some sticky fluid in her ears, which they refer to as "glue ear" which would most likely drain out throughout the day.  Yummy.

We made our way back to recovery where our little munchkin was dazed & confused.  She was immediately handed to me (note the lack of pictures from the recovery room), wrapped up in warming blankets, and given juice.  It only took her about 10 minutes to fully come back to reality, but those 10 minutes were sooooooo excruciating!!  There is nothing like that feeling of helplessness.  If you've ever come out of anesthesia, you understand the confusion, so I can only imagine what it's like for a 15 month old.

After coming back around & drinking some fluids, we were given the OK to go home where she slept for about 6 hours, then was back to normal, perfect Ryleigh ; )  Her tubes will most likely fall out after about one year, but hopefully by then she will be grown out of her "otitis media stage".  We'll cross our fingers!

Thank you everyone for your prayers today!!  We look forward to a less eventful winter season and less time spent at the doctors office : )