The Crooks Family: Addy's Surgery

After several months of back-to-back ear infections, we were referred to an ENT by Addy's primary doctor. Justin & I were both sick of Addy having ear infections and what comes with them: pain, irregular sleeping patterns, antibiotics, pain relieving medicine and crankiness! The poor kid just couldn't catch a break, so after visiting with the ENT specialist we decided to go ahead and get tubes. I had heard from numerous people that life would be "so much better" for Addy once she has the surgery. The doctor said the actual surgery should only last 10 - 15 minutes and overall was a very simple procedure.
Addy couldn't eat past midnight the night before her surgery, so we got her out of bed around 11:45 for some late night snacks. She seemed totally pumped to be hanging, eating & drinking with us...I think she thought it was a small party for her!
Friday morning, Justin & I woke up at 5:30, showered, dressed and got everything situated before we woke the patient up. She was happy when we woke her up, but immediately asked for her cup. I kept telling her that we forgot it and she seemed to buy it. Once we arrived at the surgery center we had to sit down and fill out some paperwork. Addy continued to be in good spirits. She probably asked for her cup about 40 times that morning, but at no point had a meltdown.
We finally got called back to the pre-op room. She meet several nurses, her anesthesiologist and then our doctor came in. She was great with everyone and they were honestly great with her. Everyone was so kind and tried to make it easier on all of us. The time came where the nurse who would be in on Addy's surgery came to get her. Addy was a little apprehensive, but didn't cry when she took her & puppy back to surgery. Justin & I went out to the waiting room, sent a few text messages, grabbed coffee and then waited patiently to hear how it went. I looked at my phone and saw that 11 minutes had passed and I was getting nervous. I told Justin she should be done by now and about 1 minute after that the doctor snuck up on us from behind. He told us Addy did great and she was already in the post-op area waiting for us. He said she hadn't had an active ear infection, but she did have some fluid build up. This is where it gets a little sad...as soon as we went through the doors to the post-op area, I heard Addy crying. A nurse was holding her on her lap and Addy was just so upset. I don't think Justin or I had ever seen her that upset before. She seemed completely out of it. We had been told to expect this, but it still sucked!! Even once I grabbed her from the nurse she continued to cry & scream. The poor girl was just so confused and still fuzzy from the anesthesia.
Justin & I dressed her pretty quickly and tried to leave ASAP. The nurses said that the little kids usually get much better after leaving...well I think these nurses think that because they can't hear them crying anymore once they leave! Addy cried the whole way home and was still pretty upset once we got home. I just stood and rocked and she started to calm down. She finally decided to have a fruit squeeze pack and started to get more comfortable. Justin went and made her some french toast sticks and she went to town on them. As the morning went on, she got better & better. Soon it was time for a nap..for Addy & myself! We both took a nice 2 1/2 hour nap and when she woke up happier then ever. All in all it was a good day and we are hoping this solves her ear problem. We have to administer drops in both ears twice daily. We were told that most kids have huge problems with this, but so far she has been an angel. Justin holds her, puts her little head on his shoulder and i put the drops in as quick as possible. She hasn't made a peep yet!
We have a follow up appointment in a few weeks to see how everything has healed, but so far so good!
Here are a few pics of our very tired baby before surgery: