Natalie's having surgery...

Many have asked what kind of surgery, and what's going on.
When Natalie was 14 months old, it was necessary to have the 'tubes' surgically placed in both of her ears. Natalie kept an ear infection. Literally two weeks after her antibotics were completed, she'd be up for another round, due to another infection in her ears. The tubes were put in, and we were happy to not have the ear infections. Those tubes fell out when when she was 2 , around 11 months later. I was fortunate enough to know exactly when they came out, as I caught them 'creeping' out of her ear. I have them both. After those tubes fall out, the ear drum is supposed to heal on it's own, the small hole from where the tube was. One of hers did, and the other didn't. It's still open. She's had several infections from that one ear, and three ruptures of 'puss' and 'bloody gunk' . Her Dr.'s kept hoping that this whole would 'heal' on it's own, informing me that if it didn't, it could cause hearing loss later on down the road, like in her later teenage years. This has been my fear.
I noticed this past spring and summer that she was talking a bit louder than usual. (she's been the loudest little girl around). She turns the TV up to a volume that I can't tolerate. Her music too. The has her walkman so loud that I can hear from her room to mine (with doors open). Somethings going on? I discuss with Nathan for a few months, that somethings going on. Nathan said it's just me, and that I'm 'worried too much' and that there's not been enough time ....the Doc. said hearing loss wouldn't be noticed for years to come. ???
I relented and took her for a hearing test. She failed it. The Audiologist says to me that she's got some hearing loss, but nothing I would pick up on at home. Hello???? ....why do you think I've brought her in for a hearing test? Duhhhh!!! People....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So...we make the necessary trips to the dr. All I do is provide him with the patient (Natalie.). He is just as concerned as I am, and I'm just listening. He brings up this surgery that needs to be done. With this surgery, as any, there are precautions that need to be warned against.
You can bet I've prayed, and questioned, and researched this surgery. I am not at peace with it...who is having their child cut and operated on?
Her Pre-op appointment was last Friday, and I drilled her Dr., and he very proffessionally informed me point-blankly everything I was drilling him on. He's comfortable doing this, and confident. He's done approxiamately 33 of these surgeries in the last two years. He, personally would not let his own child proceed with hearing loss for the rest of their lives when this surgery can be done, and prevent and possibly bring back what loss she's got. So, at that point, he comforted me in his expertise, that this really needed to be done.


http://www.earsurgery.org/site/pages/conditions/perforations-and-hearing-loss.php#tympanoplasty



if you'd like to read up on it.


Weather you do or don't , please keep my baby girl, Natalie in your prayers this week! And me...cause the closer we get, the more nervous I become!