Surgery for Ryland

Our little Ry had surgery at the beginning of August, 10 days before we moved.  This boy was plagued by ear infections up until 16 months ago when he had ear tubes inserted into both eardrums.  One ear tube fell out several months ago, and the other followed three months later.  Upon falling out, his ears immediately filled up with fluid.  His ENT doctor had us try daily Nasacort and Zyrtec to see if we could dry his ears out, but it didn't work.  With all that fluid in his ears it was inevitable that the ear infections would start again, which they did.  So, he went in for his second set of ear tubes, plus an adenoidectomy.  On a second set of ear tubes, an adenoidectomy is often done as well since much of the fluid buildup comes from the adenoids.

This cute boy did so well.  The hospital staff fell in love with him.

 

He got a teddy bear and blanket to keep and watched cartoons while we waited.

I do not like my kids having any sedation (Versed) before going into the OR because they wake up a little crazy...I prefer not to have my kid crying and inconsolable for an hour upon waking up.  Ryland did awesome without the Versed.  He went so easily with the nurse back to the OR it was like they had been friends forever.  After the surgery, his anesthesiologist told me a little about his OR experience.  When they got to the OR she asked him if he liked cherries.  He said no, which is true.  She asked if he would like to smell some cherries out of her mask (the anesthesia gas was cherry flavored).  He leaned in for a sniff and quickly pulled back, uncertain about what to think.  He then leaned in for a second sniff and was out like a light!  He had the whole OR in laughter.

He woke up a little upset because his throat hurt from the breathing tube.  He had no other complaints of pain as the anesthesiologist had given him some good pain medication.  I LOVE good anesthesiologists!  After two popsicles, juice and a little TV we were out of there.  He was out riding his bike later that day, like nothing had happened.