Once the Wheel is in motion....

Well, I've been frustrated (as I have said before) over the past year as I've waited. My pediatrician sent out a request for Kienna to see an ENT on October 6th, 2008. Yesterday, we finally had out appointment. I guess that if you wait a year, the ENT decides to really make it worth your wait. I have NEVER been so happy with how things went.

We went in and filled out some forms, then were right back in the room where the Nurse Practitioner came and did a full exam to see what needed to be done. Within minutes it was decided that Kienna will need her ear tube removed (they are supposed to stay in for approx 9-18 months - so, after being in place for 4 years....). They also looked in her throat and after hearing her medical history decided on a tonsilectomy. After further investigation, it appears that her adenoids may have to be removed as well. Apparently when she breathes through her nose, it sounds like she's sucking air through a straw and it's really restricted. Overinflamed adenoids can also lead to ear and throat infections because they prevent the Eustation Tubes from draining properly (or something like that). This makes PERFECT sense to me. They said that they will scope it out and when they see what her adenoids look like, they'll make a more informed decision on whether they need to be removed or not.

So, in this surgery, her ear tube will be removed, her tonsils will be removed and quite possibly her adenoids. They will also scope out what her ear shape is, etc. They will thoroughly examen any other possibility that might cause her to catch all her tonsilitis, strep throat, ear infections etc. They also were debating whether they would put in another set of ear tubes. Her right ear drums looks very calloused and concaved, so they felt that she may be hard of hearing. Within 1 hour, we were able to go get an audiogram done. I couldn't believe it. We were in the waiting room for less then 5 minutes before we were called back. The results were given to us on the spot and she had normal results. Apparently 20 or higher is normal and she was exactly 20. So, they decided not to put tubes in and we'll see how things work out.

Now I was scared, I had to book a day for surgery. I was sure that I'd be waiting MONTHS or another YEAR before we could get her in. Nope! They had an opening Oct 29th (kinda mean right before Halloween, don't you think?) or November 10. Not too hard of a choice for me, especially since Jarett has the day off of school on the 10th and 11th.

So, it's all prepared. Nothing left but the surgery (granted, it IS kinda the biggest part), but I thought it would be so much more red tape to cut through and so many more back and forth visits to the doctor. It was so short and sweet.....it left a really good taste in my mouth.

I just pray that this will fix little Kienna's ability to catch EVERY illness that comes around. We don't want to end up like Aunty Hayley with the Swine Flu.... Get better soon Hayley!!