Always a story

We just experienced round two of ear and eye tests for Adele within two days. Doctors appointments are becoming a way of life around here...

Fortunately, Adele has no issues with her eyes at this point.. We can check this off the list.

As for her ears, it goes something like this....Her ear canals have grown substantially since July and the ENT was able to get a good look inside. Adele does have fluid in both ears and is still presenting with a hearing loss. She removed some wax from her left ear as well. The plan is to get "tiny titan" tubes placed in her ears ASAP. Since she will already be under anesthesia, they will do another ABR hearing test immediately after the surgery to see if she still has a hearing loss.  The ABR test definitively shows whether or not she still has the conductive loss after the fluid has been removed.  If she does not have any hearing loss, Walla! If she still has a conductive loss, we'll take her in for a CT scan to determine if the bones in her middle ear are developed properly. Also, if she still has a hearing loss, she will be fitted with hearing aides. I'm happy that we have a plan and that something as easy as draining fluid out of her ears and inserting tubes will allow my child to hear and develop speech & language without those barriers!

We first met our ENT back in July when Adele failed her hearing test. She was the first doctor to suggest that Adele's hearing loss may be related to a syndrome. Though I was very happy she told us this, James and I were a little unimpressed with her general bedside manner. She appeared quite clinical and not very empathetic.  Since July, she gave birth to a second daughter. During this visit, she told me that her two-month old daughter was born with some physical issues that may be related to a syndrome... Essentially she is in the throws of what we were going through 3 months ago.... I was extremely impressed with her new and improved bedside manner. She even went as far as to ask if she thought she was to harsh when breaking the news about Adele possibly having a syndrome! I told her that I didn't think she was too harsh, however I did mention that now she will be able to connect on an emotional level with her patients since she has been through the unknown! She thanked me for my honesty and wanted to know what I thought of Adele's geneticist.  Warm and fuzzies for her now along with the staff that we are getting to know quite well!

It's Friday! Looking forward to a fun day visiting with my nieces tomorrow and a little R & R on Sunday (along with lesson planning and grading).