Tubes, Take Two!

When Macey was about 8 months old she had tubes put in both of her ears to help out with her multiple ear infections. Things went great and for the last 2 1/2 years or so her ears have been nice and healthy. We were starting to think it was weird that her tubes hadn't fallen out yet but until about 6 months ago everytime we went into the ENT they still looked good. Unfortunately the good didn't last. She had a bad ear infection this fall and another bad one before Christmas that prompted some more checking by the ENT and the tubes had now become dislodged in her ears and were stuck and not working! There was alot of fluid in her left ear especially and they were worried it was effecting her hearing. So we found ourselves at Primary Children's again last week (although this time at the new outpatient surgical center which was alot quieter) to get the old tubes taken out and new ones put back in. We were a little nervous about how Macey would handle things but she did great! The day before the surgery we went to a pre-op class at the hospital that Macey loved! They saw a movie about a robot getting surgery and then got to do some medical play with dolls and take a tour. She was really excited about everything and wasn't at all nervous when we went back the next morning, although she was cranky about having to get up so early :-) The surgery went great and she didn't even cry when they wheeled her off in her cute wagon. She struggled a little waking up from the anesthesia and was a bit nauseous but after we got home she took a long nap and was as good as new!

Macey in her cute hospital pajamas with Olivia. The childlife specialist made Olivia a name bracelet too so she could go into surgery with Macey and we have been giving Olivia ear drops at home too :-)

She loved these socks and wore them all day at home.

Playing before surgery. Originally she wanted to ride one of these cars back to the OR but she was getting a little tired before they took her back (the early wake-up call was catching up with her) and so she was laying in a wagon watching TV and then stayed there for a ride.

We were so proud of how brave Macey was and so grateful to have such an awesome children's hospital around. Overall it was a great experience, later that day Macey wanted to go back to the hospital :-)