Bye Bye Ear Infections!!!!

Our prayers were answered yesterday as we scheduled Betsy Grace's surgery for tubes and adenoid removal!!!! The date is September 21st and it could not come any sooner. Poor BG has had a time with ear infections, 7 since March and 4 in this month alone. We have gotten to the point where antibiotics are just a band aid, as the fluid never drains and even though she is the happiest little girl on the block, it has to be painful!

We saw an audiologist 2 days ago who determined that she has some low frequency hearing loss, which is very common in kids who have fluid in their ears. It is described as hearing as if you are under water. She also noticed decreased mobility of her ear drums, meaning that there was fluid behind both ears. I was immediately frustrated and worried...we just treated her for an ear infection less than 2 weeks ago!

But the best thing is that I didn't have to worry for long because the following day, we had an appointment with a ped. ENT specialist, Dr. Mair. I know there are a handful of wonderful ENT's in Charlotte but I am here to tell you that this man is absolutely wonderful!!!!! Dr. Swetenburg said he was the best and he was right, from the minute he walked into the room, I knew we were in the right place.

First, he does not wear a white coat, which was awesome because after our numerous appointments and shots this month, Betsy Grace is now terrified of doctors. She immediately cries the minute we step foot in the hall...wouldn't you if you got a shot every time you went?!?

Second, he had the most amazing bedside manor. He looked at BG and said "We are going to check Mommy's ears" and he looked inside my ears, as I smiled, putting BG at ease. Now, the appointment did not go with out tears but I really think it was best case scenario. My mom was there with us, which was so helpful, I could not have done either appointment without her! She held BG as I listened to Dr. Mair, who explained what was going on. He sees a lot of children with specialties and a handful of children with achondroplasia, so nothing about her anatomy was foreign or surprising. He suggested without hesitation that we put in tubes ASAP and it was probable that he would also remove her adenoids at the same time. This was music to my ears, as we have prayed for a remedy and end to this. God is so good and Dr. Mair was our angel yesterday.

Despite the fact that Betsy Grace had another ear infection and had to get another shot at his office, I left feeling so relieved. There is an end in sight!!! I know that tubes are done every day and it is the second most common surgery in children but Dr. Mair explained that children with achondroplasia sometimes have respiratory issues post op, so we will have the surgery done at Levine. With God's protection and an amazing hospital, I know that we are in good hands, and if Betsy Grace does have to stay the night (which is a possibility), we will be in the right place. I know that God will be right in there, guiding Dr. Mair and providing comfort and peace to our sweet girl. I can hardly wait to see what life is like for her, post surgery!!!

We head to the beach for 10 days on Saturday and then surgery is the day after we get back. This is a MUCH needed vacation for our family and we are super excited to put our toes in the sand and breath the ocean air!

Please keep Betsy Grace in your prayers, we will keep you posted!

xoxo