Yesterday was Jett's ear tube surgery at Children's Hospital in Omaha. He has been experiencing chronic ear infections and has also failed his most recent hearing tests. We also noticed that he has been vomiting more often, but it wasn't necessarily related to his reflux. It seemed that any sort of movement, whether we were picking him up or turning him on his side, would trigger a vomiting episode. I'm guessing that the fluid build-up behind his ear drums were making him experience some sort of motion sickness. My poor guy!
Motion sickness has to be one of the worst feelings in the world...and to have that ALL DAY, EVERYDAY? Ugh. Not fun.
Ear tube surgery is typically an easy breezy operation and is performed on a routine basis. It only takes about 10 minutes once the child is asleep. Adults who receive the surgery don't even have to be put to sleep. We were really excited for this surgery because we knew that it would relieve the pressure in Jett's ears and help him feel better.
One HUGE concern, however, with any type of surgery for Jett, is with anesthesia. He does not respond well nor can he be given the "normal" anesthetic medications.
Jett's brain stem is severely affected due to his condition (Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia). If you can remember clear back to your physiology classes...the brain stem helps regulate body temperature as well as a number of other very important things. This puts Jett at risk for Malignant Hyperthermia. If interested, you can read about it here, but just know that it's pretty scary and can be life threatening.
Whenever our anesthesiologists hear that Jett is at risk for this condition, red flags come up everywhere. They become a little "more on their toes" and aware of the implications of giving Jett the wrong combination of anesthetic.
I have to say...the anesthesiologists here do a FANTASTIC job.
They are so caring and attentive. I am continually amazed at their professionalism and compassion.
The surgery went wonderfully!
When the nurses brought Jett back to me, he had cold rags wrapped around his arms and in his diaper to prevent a temperature rise. He was still really sleepy and would get in such a deep sleep that his heart rate would drop pretty significantly. However, after a little stimulation, his heart rate would come right back up.
 |
| Jett is pretty mad about his mint-green hospital nightgown that he had to wear. Oh and this is what I look like at 6 a.m. Pretty awesome...no makeup on. |
 |
| Right after surgery with his cooling rags around his arms. |
 |
| Just cuddling with his teddy bear |
We were able to go home after a few hours and I can already tell that both Jett's hearing and vomiting has improved. Yay for a happy baby! That makes for a happy mommy and daddy.
On a side note, whenever I leave the hospital here in Omaha, the nurses all give me a hug and give me words of encouragement. How nice is that?! I am a big fan of nurses and doctors and anesthesiologists and enterologists and pretty much anyone in the medical field who knows what they're doing.
The end.
P.S. Sorry for the horrible pictures...they were taken from my phone!
