Surgery

Morris had tubes placed in his ears and his adenoids removed on December 28th.  How did we get to this point?

I have never questioned Morris' hearing because he speaks like an adult.  He doesn't talk in complete sentences; he talks in paragraphs.  He speaks with confident, tone, and intonation (he's his mother's child)!  Because of Morris' speech, his hearing was never in question.  

Up until Morris was one, he had normal routine ear infections.  After that, he might occasionally have an ear infection during the winter, or during allergy season.  None of this seemed to be a problem.  

In August of 2012, Morris started getting consistent ear infections.  Between August and December, Morris had been to the pediatrician countless times, and had officially had an ear infection 4 or 5 times.  Jared and I finally decided it was time to call our good friend and ENT, Dr. Bobby Ostendorf.  

It is so funny how people cross paths and come into your lives.  Dr. Bobby's brother, Matt, and Jared were very close friends at Auburn.  We had met Bobby years before coming to Gadsden.  When moving back home, we became great friends with the Ostendorf's.  

I took Morris for Dr. Bobby to check his ears.  One ear was a mess and the other was on it's way to being a mess.  We left trying nasal spray and allergy medicine for two weeks.  If there was no improvement we were on our way to tubes.  Dr. Bobby was a little puzzled why our ears had started flaring up at such a late age.  He was concerned that our adenoids might be the root of the problem.  

After two very longs weeks, we went back to Dr. Bobby.  During the two weeks, Morris' had a horrific ear infection.  He screamed when anything touched his ear.  I couldn't wash his hair, he could barely change clothes, it was terrible.  We knew what the recommendation would be, tubes!

Hospital gown on and trying to keep busy until it  was our turn.

On December 28th, we went to the hospital to receive tubes in Morris ears and possible adenoid removal.  Morris was a trooper... Morris was hilarious... Morris was so kind... I was so proud of Morris.  

Acting silly before he even had anesthesia 

The hospital was amazing!  The staff was excellent and Morris was treated with such tender love and care.  We could not have asked for better. 

Getting ready to take his lamb into surgery with him.

We waited for almost an hour before heading back to holding to start the first part of anesthesia.  Morris drank and medicine and was immediately in a calmed state.  For the entire surgery group in holding, Morris: sang the Auburn fight song, counted how many heads each nurse had, said there were people jumping off the tv screen, knocked his teeth on the bed rail, modeling the surgery hat.. the list is endless.  Even though he was calm, he was still pure entertainment.  

Entertaining

We were so lucky that our nurse antithesis was our neighbor, Ms. Kathy.  Morris recognized her and I think it made him leaving us easier.  I don't really know if that's the case, but it gave me comfort.  

The surgery was longer than expected.  I don't think Jared and I were ever nervous.  We had both handed it over to God, knew that Bobby was an excellent ENT, and knew that over half the people in the room with Morris knew and loved him.  All of this provided us a peace.  

Dr. Bobby finally walked into the waiting room to tell us that Morris did amazing.  He was the perfect patient.  His adenoids, were not so perfect.  They were blocking 90% of his airway leading to all his ear problems.  

Morris awoke groggy and hurting.  After a quick recovery period at the hospital we were home.  Morris slept for a few hours and was good to go.  

He's back to his normal self.  Running around, playing, being silly... all things a 4 year old boy should be. 

Jared and I are so thankful for Morris' surgery.  Everyone that touched his path that day was amazing.  We never knew when we met Matt those many years ago at Auburn, that his brother, Dr. Bobby,  would be so special to us.  

As we ended the year, I am reminded to always be thankful for your health and grateful of those around you.