Ear Tubes

Kathryn failed her hearing test yesterday. Again.

Ms. Beth, her speech therapist came to me with paperwork stating she had failed, and requesting she be taken to the doctor for evaluation. Again.

Poor Kathryn. After meeting with an E.N.T. specialist at the beginning of the year, he agreed we could "wait and see" what happened - give her time to grow and hopefully it would resolve itself - it had been several months since she had an infection, but the fluid just wasn't going away. I am hesitant about anesthesia, and didn't want to do surgery unless it was obviously necessary. She has been in speech therapy since March, and really, there has been only one set back - an infection in May, I think or maybe April. Things seemed to be going well, and I thought we would be able to avoid tubes altogether.

It has been a good spring/summer as far as illness goes in our house. No more weekly or at least bi-weekly trips to the doctor. But, this is the second ear infection since we decided to "wait and see" with the understanding that if there were more infections, or if fluid came back, we would go ahead with the tubes. With fall and winter approaching it is probably best to get this resolved quickly. So, we have an appointment with the E.N.T. specialist on August 14th, and I'm sure he will recommend tubes before school starts. I am so sad for my baby that she'll have to go through the surgery, but I know she is in God's hands, so there is no point in me worrying over it. I trust Him.

And on a positive note, I am so thankful, as I always am, that we live in a place where it so easy to access medical care when it is needed. It is such a blessing - and something I try not to take for granted. So many children just like Kathryn are not able to run to the doctor and get a prescription for Augmentin or easily set up an appointment to have a surgery that will make their lives easier. So, I am very thankful my family's needs are supplied.