Surgery

Alden has had some trouble with his ears and we decided it was time to take direct action. We were told that removing his adenoids and putting in ear tubes (again) would surely solve everything. This was a recommendation by his Ear, Nose and Throat doc and it seemed like good advice. I arranged the surgery then and there. As we left the doctor's office Alden asked "Are they going to cut off my ears?" to which I replied "No, they will remove your adenoids, which is kind of in your throat, not your ears." To which Alden stated," Oh, maybe they are only going to cut off one of my ears". To which I said, "Yes, maybe only one ear, but probably not."

Alden was nervous at the hospital, although we watched an online video from the hospital about what to expect. Alden had the video memorized and between doses of engagement and distraction we managed to get him ready for the event.

Ilana got suited up too, to be with Alden when they put him under.

Alden was very adamant about not going to sleep when they gave him the gas. He went to sleep right after they put the mask on, of course. Even as a willful 5 year old, it's tough to defy chemistry.

Except for about 10 minutes of Alden being absolutely crazy in the recovery room when he came-to after surgery, things went very well. The nurses told us to expect the post-surgery dementia episode, but it was still difficult to get through... of course Alden does not remember any of it.

After the recovery room Alden got a grape popsicle, they did some tests and he was out the door.

Karen had been watching Elliott for us during this time and had snacks with Alden when he got home. He hears a lot better now and his tympanic membrane has returned to it's original non-stretched state, so it looks like the surgery was a success.