Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Damn Ear Infections!

Okay so this post is mostly going to be about me venting about ear infections with some cute random pictures thrown in here for the grandparents. Just FYI. So Sunday and Monday were probably the toughest days of my parenting career. On Thursday and Friday we were convinced that Reid was healing. He almost slept through the night both nights and just seemed to be feeling a little better.
Unfortunately Saturday night, he was up all night miserable. I mean he would sleep for 5 minutes and then just wake up crying...and crying that cry where you could tell he just DID. NOT. FEEL. GOOD!! At 4:00 a.m. we finally got him to sleep for about an hour and a half. Then, he woke up SCREAMING and he continued to scream until 8:00. Nothing and I mean NOTHING comforted him. Do you know how helpless that makes a Mommy feel??
To add to this situation, Baby Dedication was that morning and we had several people that had come in from out of town. I told Matt that I was putting Reid in the car and if he stopped crying we would go the dedication and if not I was going straight to the doctor. Well, he stopped crying and even flashed a smile...so we went to Baby Dedication.
I should explain at this point that Matt and I were like an old engine held together by duct tape and chicken wire....barely functioning!!! We hadn't slept and we were so stressed out because Reid was clearly NOT better. He has been sick for 2 1/2 months. There was a reception after the dedication. I should also throw in the fact that we had to wake Lilly up to get ready and she wasn't in the best of moods either. Anyway, after her throwing a tantrum because I wouldn't let her have an open juice bottle by herself I exasperatedly said, "Lilly you are driving Mommy crazy this morning"...at which point our entire table turned and looked at me horrified and with judgement. It was only 9:30 A.M.
(Side note on this picture...when Lilly slides she lands right on her bottom...she loves it....it makes me hurt.) Then we went to lunch with our Mothers....unfortunately it was Mother's Day and with Matt's great aunt passing away and having to go out of town unexpectedly...we had NO GIFTS OR CARDS.
I still consider it a good day because it was Mother's Day and I feel so incredibly blessed to be a Mommy but it was a hard day.
We didn't get much sleep Sunday night either and went to the Pediatrician Monday morning. At which point they tell us that not only are his ear infections back but they are pretty much as bad as they can be. They gave him a shot and his FIFTH antibiotic and we have scheduled an ENT appointment for next week. We talked about tubes.
I can't lie...I cried ALL DAY LONG. I think I was just overwhelmed. I just couldn't quit picturing my SWEET PRECIOUS PERFECT baby boy in a hospital operating room. I know it is the simplest procedure and that I just need to put my big girl pants on and get over it....but I just feel so helpless because I haven't been able to get him healed. I am so frustrated at the 8 doctors appointments and hundreds of dollars we have spent just to have to keep going back again and again with the same problem not getting any better.
I have thought a lot about people who have babies that are seriously sick or in the hospital and my heart has just broken for them because my son has just had ear infections for a couple of months and may have to have tubes and I was reduced to a blubbering mess for an entire day!! I have just lifted them up in prayer because I just can't even imagine!
On a positive end, Reid is feeling better. He is always a happy boy so I just didn't realize how much MORE SMILEY he is when he is feeling better. I can tell the ears are still bothering him but I can tell that he is feeling much better. Yesterday and today, ironically, have been two of my greatest days in parenting...maybe not ironically...more like God's blessings!

8 comments:

Laurie said...

First of all, blubber!!!! Any parent will tell you when you've dealt w/ ear infections it's beyond miserable! I didn't understand til AK! We are getting our second set of tubes on Friday!!!!

Second, it really is easy & they feel SO much better. I promise you it is the best thing you will ever do for him!

Third, call your ped office FIRST thing in the am & tell them to call you in some numbing drops!!!! This is the best invention (besides the tubes). They will totally help him sleep & you will see a definite difference in him bc it helps w/ his pain! These should be an automatic script for any child w/ an ear infection. There is no reason for that baby to have to suffer...even to get well.

Ok, well now that I have come down off my soapbox regarding ear infections just know I will be praying for you guys!!!!

Love ya!

Todd and Courtney said...

oh No! Lauren cried all night the other night too. I never knew why but I was alone because Todd was gone and I truly didn't think I'd be able to function. From what I hear, tubes are fabulous. My cousin's little boy just had them and they have been wonderful. No infections since!

The Coleman Family said...

Oh Sarah, I am so sorry! I know you must be exhausted. I wish I could come keep them for a day so you could get some rest! I will be thinking about you and praying for you as you decide on tubes for Reid. See you soon!

Sydney said...

ugh NO FUN! I'm glad he's feeling a little better. Hopefully the ENT can put an end to his little painful ears. and I hope you've caught up on some sleep! Praying for quick healing.

Lindsey Cobb said...

Tubes are the best thing that ever happened for Presley! I was also a little nervous about putting her to sleep, but it was seriously crazy how fast the surguery was. We barely left her and got seated in the waiting room before the Dr. came out and called our name. She didn't have any ear problems after that. Tubes will make you life so much better!

Cori said...

Poor baby! I think we might be headed down that road, too. We just finished our second round, and I don't think her ear infection is gone.

Lynn said...

Sweetie, it will be just fine. Both Lynn and Karl were in the hospital and you feel terrible, but they were so much better after. Karl had lost 40% of the hearing in one ear before they did the tubes - it took longer back then. Give both of them a big kiss for us and save one for the two of you. Love, Aunt Susan

Anonymous said...

You sweet girl. I am so sorry. I will be praying for Reid! And for you too, we hurt when our babies hurt. Hugs