Ear Tube Surgery

A few weeks ago Gabriel had to have tubes put in his ears. Before this year he had only ever had one ear infection when he was about a year old. However, this year he has had one ear infection after the other. The infection always responded to antibiotics, but the fluid never left his middle ear, which made it easy for another infection to develop. It was also starting to affect his hearing, which was demonstrated both on hearing tests and often through a lack of response when talking to him or with a lot of "What?" So, the ENT advised putting tubes in his ear drums to allow the fluid to drain from the middle ear and remain drained.

The procedure really wasn't a big deal at all. They do put them under general anesthesia, but it's a simple incision into the ear drum where the tube is placed and that's it. However, it being Gabriel's first surgery we were all still pretty nervous...especially Gabriel. It was scheduled a month in advance, so we had plenty of time to talk about it and prepare. At first Gabriel would just giggle uncomfortably when we would discuss it, but as we got down to the week prior to surgery he had quite a bit of anxiety.

His main concerns were that it would hurt; that there would be blood; and that the doctor might cut his ear off. We assured him that none of those things would happen and looked at pictures of the procedure and the tubes. He would feel better after seeing those things, but a few nights before the procedure, while tucking him into bed, he started to cry and said he didn't want to have the surgery.

I asked him what is something we can do when we are scared and he responded with "pray." So we said a prayer that he wouldn't be scared and that everything would go okay with the surgery so that there wouldn't be any pain or blood or ear loss. This seemed to comfort Gabriel. Then I suggested that he should ask his Daddy for a blessing before he had the surgery. He said, "But Daddy has already given me a blessing before." I explained that his last blessing was before he started school, and that we can ask for a priesthood blessing whenever we are sick or in special need of comfort and strength. So, he said he would ask Daddy for one.

I didn't actually think he would remember or think to ask him. So I mentioned to Patrick the next day that maybe he should offer a blessing, and he told me that Gabriel had already asked him for a blessing that morning. Later that evening was family home evening and we had a lesson on priesthood authority and how it can bless our lives. This gave us the opportunity to talk about how a priesthood blessing would work. I was amazed at how Gabriel's little mind accepted and processed a concept that can be kind of hard for a 4yr old to understand. He remembered the Gospel Art pictures of Jesus that we look at every Sunday while the sacrament is being passed. He specifically mentioned the pictures of Jesus placing his hands on the apostles heads to ordain them, and the picture of Christ raising his hand to calm the storm while on the Sea of Galilee. He asked if that was the same kind of Priesthood that Daddy would use. We confirmed his idea and then also explained his role in the blessing - to have faith.

So, on the morning of the surgery Patrick gave Gabriel a very tender and comforting blessing, and immediately after the blessing Gabriel said, "Thank you, Daddy. I don't feel scared at all. I'm all ready for my surgery," and he really was. He didn't seem scared or anxious the entire time we were at the hospital. We checked-in and registered, and then we had a 2hr wait, because the doctor was behind. During that time he got changed into surgery "jammies" and several nurses came in to assess him, go over the anesthesia and procedure with us, and also show him actual tube samples, the "special" mask that he would wear, and all the silly hats and masks that he would see the doctors and nurses wear in the operating room. I'm sure that put his mind at ease even more, and when it was time for the procedure one of the OR nurses came to get him, and he grabbed her hand and they walked back to the operating room...he never cried or looked back once. 25 minutes later the doctor met us and said Gabriel did great and the procedure went well and that we could go and see him in recovery. When Gabriel finally was coherant enough to speak the first thing he said was, "I was brave and it didn't even hurt!"

That evening as we knelt for bedtime prayer we reminded him that Heavenly Father answered his prayer, because he didn't feel scared and the surgery went well. So, he was sure to thank Heavenly Father for helping his surgery to go well. I'm just so thankful that we have the Gospel in our lives, so that we can teach our son who he can turn to when things may be a little scary or challenging in his life. I'm thankful for the power of prayer and a loving Heavenly Father that listens to and answers our prayers. And I'm thankful for a husband who lives worthily of his priesthood so that he could give a blessing to our son in his time of need.

Getting those surgery "jammies" on

All Ready

Picture with Daddy

Picture with Mommy

Playing with the toys during our wait

Trying out the "silly" surgery caps

He thought this one was the silliest

He insisted I try it on AND make a funny face
(Note to self: don't make this face often as wrinkles may stay)

I made Daddy put the hat on...he was THRILLED!

After surgery (in recovery)

Still pretty out of it. Gabriel is a balloon fanatic, but you wouldn't know by
looking at this picture.

Drinking some gatorade...notice his friend Teddy in all the pictures.

The good thing about having a procedure done at a Children's Hospital is that
they specialize in keeping sick kids happy. This was "Bubbles" the clown.
She was pretty cute and Gabriel enjoyed her. The kid in the next room over
cried when he saw her.

When it was time to go he got to pick between riding out in a wheel chair or
a wagon.

Obviously he picked the wagon.