Tanner Goes to the ENT

Tanner has had 5 ear infections in his 18 months. For 3 of the 5 ear infections, we have had to use multiple antibiotics. My pediatrician felt it was a good time to see the ENT. So today I headed down to PCMC. Tanner absolutely hates the doctor. He starts crying the second he sees the cute medical assistant. Today he cried while being weighed and measured. He finally stopped when she left and started up again when the young resident entered the room. He looked in both of Tanner's ears and said there was fluid in both of them, but no infection. Sitting fluid isn't the best thing so the resident guessed that the doctor would let me choose whether or not I wanted to get tubes. He felt Tanner was borderline. Well, I am all for tubes! Gage had them and it was finally an end to multiple doctor visits at all times of the night. In the back of my mind however, I was thinking about how this was going to cost at least my deductible of $500. Money I don't really have. I thought maybe the doctor would say to wait for one more infection and I would agree with that.

The ENT came in and Tanner started up his screaming again. He looked in Tanner's right ear and asked me if I knew that his eardrum had burst. I asked if he was talking about recently or if he was seeing a previous thing. He said it was from previously because he could see scar tissue. I said I knew one of them had burst at one time. I was thinking to myself is that really a big deal? I mean I know it's not the best when the eardrum bursts but sometimes you don't know they have an ear infection until it's too late. The ENT said that because of the eardrum bursting, it had thinned the lining causing negative pressure and making this lining cave inward. He said if we let it go the pressure would continue to pull it inward creating a cyst pocket which would need serious surgery. I was shocked. I asked what we needed to do to fix it. He said putting in tubes would equal out the pressure and hopefully the ear would correct itself. He also said Tanner would need to come in for yearly visits for the next couple of years even after the tubes fall out to ensure the cyst pocket never forms.

Well, I guess my decision was made for me. March 18th Tanner will get tubes. I am so glad my pediatrican took the conservative side and referred me to the ENT after only 5 infections. I have heard stories where it took up to 12 infections before tubes were placed!