Well, we can check that off the list. Little Miss A had tubes put in her ears when she was 9 months old. It was time for them to come out. I hate when my kids have to go under anesthesia for anything but it was probably harder on me than her.
We arrived to the Children's Hospital bright and early -- 6:15 a.m. They checked us in immediately, which meant we had a good long while to wait. Super.
Isn't she precious in her little scrubs? She actually never asked for food or drink which was impressive. The Child Life team did a good job of chatting with her at a 4-year old level, giving her things to do, showing her the playroom, and helping her decorate her anesthesia mask.
She found this little green tractor toy which thankfully kept her busy for probably an hour. The surgical floor of the Children's Hospital is one big circle so she just rode around and around and around...I thought for sure she'd freak when it was time for her to leave Seth and me, but they told her she could ride her little tractor back, and she happily obliged.
The surgery wasn't very long--maybe 30 minutes total? It was enough time for me to grab a Starbucks from the lobby and sit back down before they called us. One of her eardrums was perforated from having the tubes in so long, so they had to place a patch on one of the eardrums. She has a follow up visit with ENT in a couple weeks, but we've noticed less "What did you say?" from her. :)
The poor little thing was downright pitiful after the surgery. She doesn't seem to tolerate anesthesia super well. She was agitated as she began to wake, ripping at her cords, pulling the cotton out of her ears, and generally screaming loud enough that people in post-op in New Jersey could hear. Thankfully, after about 30 minutes of freaking out, she suddenly "snapped back," asked for her slushy they promised her and that was that. We dressed her and she grabbed a snack and walked to the car herself.
We even went out for lunch after we got home and girlfriend was hyper. I think THAT may be the other reaction to anesthesia. HA! Nonetheless, it all went well and those tubes are out. Now praying the infections stay away!!
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