I am very happy to report that we are HOME! Casey did amazing. They were able to place the tube in the right ear. I was really worried it was going to become another cholesteotoma. The doctor cleaned out the left ear's cholesteotoma and said that in general it is doing pretty well. We still have to get it cleaned often, but we do not need to start looking into a major reconstruction surgery.
The dentist was going to get some images and do some cleaning. However, we found out that in order to do that Casey would have to be intubated. That was a deal breaker. We decided to cancel that part of the day. Her teeth are doing okay, and we can do with out the images for now. Intubation just adds so many extra risk.
Anesthesia did an amazing job. They were prepared, they listened, and they got us back to our princess as quick as possible. The entire experience today was positive.
When we got to Casey she was still asleep. We sat and waited and a few minutes later she was up and ready to go. After she woke up they gave her some tylenal and had us get her dressed.
Casey was excited to be home. As soon as we got her back to her favorite spot on the couch she started making her happy sounds. She has doctor's order to just rest today (I need those orders). I don't think any of us will have a problem with a nice quiet weekend.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. We really appreciate all of you. Have a wonderful weekend, now that we are home I know that we will :)
Friday, January 06, 2012
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Ready for Surgery
We spoke with the hospital today and we are all set for Casey's procedure tomorrow. Her dentist wants to get some images of her permanent teeth (just to have a better idea of what is going on) while Casey is under. The initial ear procedure was scheduled quickly to reduce the window for the ear to get worse. Then we called the dentist just yesterday (I kept meaning to and never got to it). They were able to work together and get it all scheduled. Thankfully we have wonderful doctors that really care about our little princess. We are so grateful that they understand her risks and are will do jump through hoops to get things done in the safest way for Casey. I am not sure what time we will be home tomorrow. As soon as we get back and settled one of us will be sure to post an update. Thanks again for all of the thoughts and prayers.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Those Darn Ears
Back in June 2009 Casey went in for routine ear tube surgery. When the ENT got in he found that her left ear had a Cholesteotoma. The doctor put the right tube in and from that point on we had been going in to see ENT every 3 months to have them clean out her left ear. The right tube fell out sometime in 2010 and the doctor has been checking the right ear while we are there to have the left ear cleaned. A few months after the right tube fell out the doctor noticed some negative pressure in the right drum. However, with the extra risk any procedure puts on Casey, he has just been watching it to make sure it does not progress.
Just before Christmas Casey went in to see the ENT. This winter she seems to be getting more ear infections that usual. Ear infections and drainage are pretty common with Cholesteotomas, so we have just been treating them with drops each time. A few weeks ago we noticed her right ear was draining some too and so he took a closer look. We had been able to maintain that right ear's pressure for quite a while. The pressure has increased this winter enough for him to suggest putting a tube back in the right ear. Here's where it gets a little tricky- this is what we did in 2009 and we didn't act quick enough. Between the time he suggested tubes and the time we got Casey in for the procedure, the left ear perforated and advanced to a Cholesteotoma.
We are moving quick this time. Casey is scheduled to get her right tube done on Friday. While she is there the doctor is also going to clean out the left ear really good. He should be able to give us a better idea of how the left ear is doing. We are very hopeful and optimistic that the doctor will be able to get the right tubes placed. There is a chance he will not be able to place it and we will have to start dealing with a Cholesteotoma on that side as well.
Any procedure is scary for any kid, and extra scary for kids with respiratory issues. We will spend lots of time with anesthesia making sure they know what to expect. Casey has had this procedure done at this hospital before and things went very well. Regardless of positive past experiences, we are always a mess until we have her back with us. The ENT knows Casey very well. He is planning to do this with just gas and to avoid an intubation. That is the current plan.
We will try to update late Friday or sometime over the weekend to let everyone know how it went. Please keep Casey in your thoughts and prayers this Friday.
Just before Christmas Casey went in to see the ENT. This winter she seems to be getting more ear infections that usual. Ear infections and drainage are pretty common with Cholesteotomas, so we have just been treating them with drops each time. A few weeks ago we noticed her right ear was draining some too and so he took a closer look. We had been able to maintain that right ear's pressure for quite a while. The pressure has increased this winter enough for him to suggest putting a tube back in the right ear. Here's where it gets a little tricky- this is what we did in 2009 and we didn't act quick enough. Between the time he suggested tubes and the time we got Casey in for the procedure, the left ear perforated and advanced to a Cholesteotoma.
We are moving quick this time. Casey is scheduled to get her right tube done on Friday. While she is there the doctor is also going to clean out the left ear really good. He should be able to give us a better idea of how the left ear is doing. We are very hopeful and optimistic that the doctor will be able to get the right tubes placed. There is a chance he will not be able to place it and we will have to start dealing with a Cholesteotoma on that side as well.
Any procedure is scary for any kid, and extra scary for kids with respiratory issues. We will spend lots of time with anesthesia making sure they know what to expect. Casey has had this procedure done at this hospital before and things went very well. Regardless of positive past experiences, we are always a mess until we have her back with us. The ENT knows Casey very well. He is planning to do this with just gas and to avoid an intubation. That is the current plan.
We will try to update late Friday or sometime over the weekend to let everyone know how it went. Please keep Casey in your thoughts and prayers this Friday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)