Miracles and Setbacks
Tonight I was scrolling through some of my older blog posts and came across this one about Isaac. It was written back in the beginning of October. With the last month, I had almost forgotten how good things were going back then. We were cruising through some awesome months with Isaac. I felt like we'd passed a huge milestone (or two or three) and we were set to go. This month I've learned that I have to take it one day at a time and LOVE the good times. Which I did!
Isaac's been stumbling through two months of solid ear infections and fluid in his ears. This is his first winter without tubes. (He's had 4 sets in 4 years). I am really hoping to make it through but I think it's time to schedule another visit with the ENT.
I visited the audiologist today because of the hearing aid/washing machine incident. (Plus his other one was cracked. He's pretty tough on those things.) As I was describing his progress, plateaus, and backslides over the past few months, I realized that this has become a familiar pattern. Every year as Spring comes into full bloom and the winter colds, flu's, illnesses and subsequent ear infections (usually solved by a set of tubes) become a thing of the past, I start seeing huge improvements with Isaac. In his language, his behavior and his social interactions. By Fall we are cruising and I'm feeling like all the struggles are in the past. I feel like it's full speed ahead. Then one by one the ear infections and sinus infections come. And come. And come. Slowly he slides back into tantrums and screaming. His patience becomes non-existent and he becomes a hard kid again. His ears are in pain and full of fluid. He loses an additional 20% of his hearing which means I have to almost yell to talk to him even with his hearing aids on. I'll be honest, it's hard to watch. It makes me sad.
It seems like every time I pick him up from preschool lately there is something about him not talking very much in class, or sucking his thumb most of class, or "I'm not sure he's ready for the next book yet" (in his reading program). I realized today it's like he has to do an entire year's worth of learning and progress in the 8 months he feels good and then we suffer through the next four months, both he and I frustrated at the situation. Especially when I saw SO much progress last Fall.
I've tried taking more "wellness" approaches to the ear infections but it hasn't seemed to affect it at all. I really don't want to do a 5th set of tubes. I feel like all of the scarring on his ear drums isn't good. Twice he's had a potentially dangerous cyst begin to grow along side the tubes on the back side of his eardrum. That's obviously not good. Twice his tubes have fallen out within the first 2 months. But I guess if they can just get him through until March or April maybe it's worth it. I just don't know.
Isaac's been stumbling through two months of solid ear infections and fluid in his ears. This is his first winter without tubes. (He's had 4 sets in 4 years). I am really hoping to make it through but I think it's time to schedule another visit with the ENT.
I visited the audiologist today because of the hearing aid/washing machine incident. (Plus his other one was cracked. He's pretty tough on those things.) As I was describing his progress, plateaus, and backslides over the past few months, I realized that this has become a familiar pattern. Every year as Spring comes into full bloom and the winter colds, flu's, illnesses and subsequent ear infections (usually solved by a set of tubes) become a thing of the past, I start seeing huge improvements with Isaac. In his language, his behavior and his social interactions. By Fall we are cruising and I'm feeling like all the struggles are in the past. I feel like it's full speed ahead. Then one by one the ear infections and sinus infections come. And come. And come. Slowly he slides back into tantrums and screaming. His patience becomes non-existent and he becomes a hard kid again. His ears are in pain and full of fluid. He loses an additional 20% of his hearing which means I have to almost yell to talk to him even with his hearing aids on. I'll be honest, it's hard to watch. It makes me sad.
It seems like every time I pick him up from preschool lately there is something about him not talking very much in class, or sucking his thumb most of class, or "I'm not sure he's ready for the next book yet" (in his reading program). I realized today it's like he has to do an entire year's worth of learning and progress in the 8 months he feels good and then we suffer through the next four months, both he and I frustrated at the situation. Especially when I saw SO much progress last Fall.
I've tried taking more "wellness" approaches to the ear infections but it hasn't seemed to affect it at all. I really don't want to do a 5th set of tubes. I feel like all of the scarring on his ear drums isn't good. Twice he's had a potentially dangerous cyst begin to grow along side the tubes on the back side of his eardrum. That's obviously not good. Twice his tubes have fallen out within the first 2 months. But I guess if they can just get him through until March or April maybe it's worth it. I just don't know.
I can't even imagine what that must feel like to have constant ear aches, poor kid! I hope he starts feeling better soon.
ReplyDeletePoor kid, at least you are seeing the big picture so it helps you understand what's going on. We love little Isaac.
ReplyDeleteThat is a tough decison and I'm sure so painful to watch. :( Let me know if you need anything!
ReplyDeleteMilo got your order, Thanks a ton!
ReplyDelete