We went back to the ENT today for a check up. I had such high hopes. When we got there, Dr. Knox said, "Her ears are still draining?" Well...from what I had heard from other moms, I thought this would be "normal." Tomorrow will be her 1 week surgery anniversary. Apparently, Hadley has some sort of strange strep bacteria growing in her ears. They did a culture on the "stuff" they pulled out of her ears during surgery to determine what kind of antibiotics they could use to treat it. They put us on some drops. The problem is that her ears are draining so much that these drops aren't even reaching her ears. Dr. K cleaned out her ears today...it took 4 people to hold down my 11 month old child! I felt so sorry for her.
The only other antibiotics that will work are:
1. an antibiotic that they can't give to babies because it will harm the growth of their joints & bones.
2. the antibiotic that she is already on. We go back to the ENT on Monday. He is going to clean out her ears again with his "special" machine. Then we'll go back one more time. If her ears are still infected with this yucky strep stuff then we will have to do...
3. an antibiotic that can cause kidney failure. If we have to go this route, then Hadley will have to be placed in the hospital for 5 days with an IV & monitored 24 hours a day.
My question to all you nurses, doctors, mommys, or anyone else out there....how does this work? Does anyone know anyone who has ever had this done before? How do you keep an 11 month old confined to a hospital crib for 5 days? I don't know much about any of this so I feel like I don't even know what questions to ask. Are we waiting too long to treat this problem? Will this infection begin to cause hearing loss? At what point should I take Hadley to a speech pathologist? I feel like all the ear infections have already caused speech problems.
Again...I want to be clear. I trust our Almighty Father. I know He is taking care of Hadley. I'm so grateful that is this "only" an ear problem. It could be so much worse. Thank you Lord for covering my precious Hadley with your wings!!
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
11 comments:
Hmmm....is he wanting to admit her to Baptist South or UAB?? I work in a large university children's hospital up here. Pretty much South Carolina's version of UAB. She won't have to be confined to a crib 24/7. She won't have continuous infusions of that antibiotic. It'll be given at different times and when it's finished, they can heplock her IV and disconnect her from the tubing and she can go wherever she wants. They usually have wagons, tvs, toys, and at our particular hospital, we have child life specialists that come in and play and we have a big atrium with all sorts of cool stuff (a big, giant playroom with everything you can imagine). We also have resources like speech therapy and etc. Is Jeremy going to school in Birmingham? I think no matter what, you have to clear the infection in her ears. I would ask for a referral to audiology to have her hearing testing AFTER the infection is gone just to give you peace of mind. Please keep us posted and feel free to email me personally. I'll keep Hadley in my prayers (and you too!)
Oh Bonnie! I am so sorry. I will be praying for complete healing of Hadley's ears. Jenni Wright Woods and Emily Walker Stringfellow are Speech Pathologists if you feel like you need to go that route. Emily works with infants and could be a big help if you feel like you need it.
Keep us updated.
Bonnie I am so sorry your baby isn't feeling well. I know it was horrible for you to have to watch her in pain :( I am praying for yall!
Love,
Julie
Oh Bonnie, I am so sorry. I know that has to be so scary. I really hope and pray that everything will clear up and the problems will resolve quickly. Keep us updated.
I'm so sorry Bonnie. I am praying for you all. I hope and pray Hadley gets better very soon.
We have been, and will keep, praying for ya'll and sweet Hadley. Hard to understand, but the Father and Creator knows all about this, and the plan for Hadley just as you said. Maybe we can talk tomorrow. Love ya'll!
Bonnie, I will keep your family in my prayers. (and the doctors too!) I am so sorry to hear about this. Sometimes we don't always understand things because we can't see the big picture. We only see a little bit of it and it doesn't make any sense. God can see the big picture. Just keep holding on to Him and He will comfort you!
Love you girl!
Bonnie, that is so tough. I am curious what the 3rd choice antibiotic is. Do you know the name of it? I will be praying for complete healing of the infection, and hopefully there will be no need to go the hospital route. I admire your wisdom and that you are keeping such a great perspective during a difficult time!
I hope Hadley's ears get better very soon! How awful that she is having to go through this. Christy Bell is a speech pathologist and works alot with kids. She may can help answer your questions about the speech aspect. I'll be praying for ya'll!
I came across your blog from The Macks, and wanted you to know that I was praying for your daughter. I am also praying for you and your husband as you are faced with so many unknowns that you do not understand. When we had to take my daughter to the hospital (Children's in Birmingham) for the removal of a hemangioma at the age of 15 months, we were able to take her around in a wagon and they had this really cool "kids place" there to take kids in the daytime. I am not sure about it becase it was that night when we found it and we left the next morning. I brought a lot of my daughters favorite books/toys and that kept her entertained for the time she was in triage or confined to the crib in recovery. I hope all goes well with Hadley. Just continue to rely on God for comfort and understanding.
I am so sorry to hear this. I wish I had some answers for you, but I can tell you that I know that Dr. Knox is a wonderful doctor. He did my son's tubes and adenoids. I will continue to pray for Hadley's recovery. Please keep us posted.
Amanda Bone Mathis
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