Elliott's Ear Tube Adventure

Elliott has had many ear infections this year.  He finally passed the doctor's limit for number of infections in one year and earned a set of ear tubes.  On Friday, August 3rd, he had his procedure.  We had to be at UK Hospital at 5:45am.  I woke him up and off we went, him still in his pj's.  Bob stayed home and prepared Isaac for daycare.  He took Isaac at 6am and then met us just in time to see the cutest little person I have ever seen to wear a hospital gown!

 

 

Elliott was a fantastic patient!  Surprisingly, he balked the most about wearing the gown (typical male patient!).  He enjoyed the preoperative room and all of the wires!

Seriously, isn't he the cutest?
Normally, pacifiers stay in the crib but we made an exception for this potentially rough, early morning.  I love the smile behind the paci!

Our little engineer at work

 

While waiting for the doctor and anesthesia to prepare everything, we had time to read a new truck book.  Thanks, Meme!

And also time to be silly!

 

Everyone told us the procedure would be quick.  From the time Elliott voluntarily went (without any tears) with the nurse anesthetist to the operating room, to the time we were called back to see him, only twelve minutes had passed.  Dr. Veling told us he had quite a bit of fluid in both ears that they had to remove before placing the tubes.  The nurses said they did not want to call us back because they had already fallen in love with him!  They wanted to sit and snuggle him all day.  How sweet, but so does his mommy!  He listened patiently to his discharge instructions and then we were free to go.  By 9:30am, we were headed home!

 

Elliott was very hungry since he could not eat or drink anything before his procedure.  He was like a different child immediately after the procedure!  He was not groggy; he was very happy and ready to play!  So, what would good parents do?  Take him to McDonald's, of course!  He enjoyed an entire plate of hotcakes after licking the butter off each one first!

 

Once at home, we sat on the front porch for a brief time.  Elliott ran the length of the porch many times.  We noticed that he is running more smoothly, picking up both feet as he runs, and his balance is better.  We may be giving these ear tubes too much credit, but so far they have definitely helped!  He has not had an ear infection since, which is the longest time period all year that he has been infection-free!

 

 

Oh, and you obviously cannot tell from the pictures, but he is a LOT louder, too!  Apparently, he can hear himself better and he likes what he hears!  That's perfect with us as long as he stays healthier!