Lasa's Ears. Again.

It's a long story, but Lasa's tubes that she got in November (preceding saga and actual surgery) got clogged by ANOTHER ear infection this April/May and needed to be removed and replaced.  And as long as she was going to be in surgery, it was also recommended we go ahead and remove her adenoids while we were in there as they contribute to the ear drama from which the child suffers.  That surgery got done today.  The difference between this surgery and last November's surgery is that 1.  we are paying $2000 out of pocket this time - insert droopy depressed discouraged faces, 2. she was put under general anesthesia for the adenoidectomy - eek!, and 3. that - hooray, hooray - Josh was in town and even be home from work for the whole thing. :) Josh took her this time and I stayed home with the kids and Facebook. :S

Before surgery.

After surgery.  Since she was under full anesthesia this time, it took MUCH longer for her to come out of it.  She slept a long time there. And even when awake, she looked like this.

Back at home, we doubled dosed her on Motrin and made a pharmacy run for her ear drops and antibiotic.   All day she has been really still and wants to be held.  That is probably because her balance has not quite returned.  When she tries to stand, she starts to lean sideway and fall.  When she tries to walk, she stumbles.  It's adorable.  And kinda weird. 

Lasa is so attentive to her boo-boos these days.  Suffers through with them patiently and shows them off proudly.  So you know she was quick to announce her newest boo-boo once she was awake enough to notice it. :}

Overall, surgery went smoothly.  The ENT said both tubes and adenoids were entirely clogged full of gunk.  This makes me sad.  He gave us more feedback about how to protect her ears going forward and what to do the next time we suspect her ears are at it again.  He also said there is nothing we can do about the wax build-up she gets except to ask the pediatrician to try to clear some out at our next visit.  The anesthesiologist did come back and ask Josh if Lasa has ever had any heart issues before. Uhhhhh, that's an alarming question to be asked after a procedure like this. Apparently, her heart had a hard time oxygenating her lungs while she was under and they had to correct that themselves along the way?  He said for us to mention this to her pediatrician at the next visit ... which you can be sure we will do.  Wow!  Josh did not think to remind the anesthesiologist about Lasa's prenatal drug exposure as they talked it over afterwards, but I mentioned it to my sister and RIGHT AWAY she found a connection between damage to cells in the heart as a long-term effect of this sort of exposure.  

This sort of information startles me ... and enrages me toward Angelique all over again. But I will wait for a dr's appt. and specialist referral and whatever test results, if any, before I dwell on this too much.  For today, just glad to have the ear stuff behind us.  Again.  Thank you, Lord!