We are home! Baby Boy came through surgery with flying colors!! The doctor told us that he was glad he did the surgery because the fluid in his ears had become gummy-like. He said that he could literally pull out strings of clear gummy fluid. (Ooh, sorry for the visual image you are getting right now). He also said that the fluid had been in his ears for some time (a lot longer than 3 months) and that the problem would not have gone away. This could have permanently damaged his ears and we would have been going back and forth to the doctor many more times. Both ears were infected (particularly his right ear). The surgeon described it as a red balloon blown up and then squeezed. (sounds painful to me).
Our experience was pretty good. When we arrived at the hospital I checked Baby Boy in and was called into the prep room within 5 minutes. While in there they took his vitals, we dressed him in a gown and waited until they were ready for him in surgery. About an hour later we were escorted to another room where the surgeon, anesthesia resident and the attending anesthesia resident and about 2 or 3 nurses were waiting for us. They let Baby Boy play with the nose/mouth cover that they planned to use in putting oxygen on him (to get used to it). They talked to him and let him get comfortable with him. Then they gave him some medicine to make him “drunk-happy.” He took it pretty easily via mouth and about 20 minutes later he was all smiles to everyone and really loopy. It was pretty funny as he was incredibly happy. He could only smile at everyone. The nurses took him (he didn’t cry at all–because of the drugs, obviously). We waved goodbye to him and he waved back. The last time I saw him he was looking up at the nurse with the cutest little smile on his face.
Doc and I went to get coffee and a danish. By the time we finished (about 20 minutes later) they called Doc on his cell phone and we went to go see Baby Boy. He was drinking his 4th glucose bottle and immediately started crying when he saw me. He was aware, but the nurse suspected that he might still be hallucinating a little due to the anesthesia wearing off. I got him and we went to an observation room for about 30-40 more minutes. He cried quite a bit and drank most of his formula bottle. We finally got the okay to go home and once we left he didn’t cry at all anymore. By the time I was across town and almost home he had started clapping and cooing in the back of the van. I got him home and he immediately went to play. I think he was really happy to be home and away from the hospital.
Right now he is asleep. Here are a couple of pictures I took once we got home. Evidence that he is a healthy and happy boy.
