Saturday, January 23, 2010

Some Answers

$170.14 !! This is how much we've spent in medical/pharmacy copays in just two days! Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with our health insurance coverage (NO Obamacare for us, thank you), however, I share this with you only to illustrate why I am an emotional wreck!

I shared in an earlier post about how the girls have been somewhat "under the weather". Frankly, I'm not feeling that great either (laryngitis, sore throat, cough...but I digress). Olivia had to see an ENT after about 15 months of ear infections...the most recent one ended in a ruptured ear drum.
First, they did a very thorough hearing evaluation. She has mild hearing loss in her right ear, and mild-moderate hearing loss in her left. This is caused from the residual fluid that remains in her ears even after the infection itself has cleared up. The fluid is NOT supposed to be there. She also has the problem of having HUGE tonsils! They are so big that they actually touch in the back of her throat! There is only a small area of space that air can flow back and forth. To make a long story short, Olivia needs to have tubes placed in both ears and she needs to have her tonsils and adenoids removed. This will all take place on February 22nd. I'm a nervous wreck! I had so hoped that my children would escape any need for surgery until they were well into adulthood. Olivia is only four years old! I know she will be in a lot of discomfort and pain for the first few days. I don't want her to have to go through this!

Amelia, on the other hand, has had problems with severe headaches over the last few days. So bad that they wake her up from a sound sleep in the middle of the night. She complains that her eyes hurt and that she feels like she might throw up! I usually give her some Motrin and a cool washcloth and withing a few minutes, the headache is gone and she is back to sleep. She never complains of headaches during the day...only at night. After a thorough eye exam, blood pressure checks and lab work....her doctor thinks it might be sinus issues. Phew! Although, I am instructed to keep a "headache diary" for the next two weeks. She is also on a heavy anti biotic (***sigh***) and a nasal spray. Last night was the first night in almost a week that she did NOT wake up with headache! This is good news! The doctor was concerned about an inter cranial involvement that would have been much more serious! My nerves have just HAD IT this week!

On a happier note, I lost 5.2 lbs this week! That makes a total of 9.8 (with 93 to go)! I know that the losses will begin to slow down now...but that's ok! I'm 10 lbs closer to my goal.

Today, I'm thanking God for our medical insurance, for our personal physicians who take such good care of our family and for my blog....so I can get all of this off of my chest!!

9 comments:

Unknown said...

What a crazy week! Glad you got some good answers! The surgery will be fine. Yes, she will be miserable in the beginning, but she will feel so much better after (I know this for a fact!)

Congrats on the weight loss...what are you doing? Weight Watchers? That is the only one I have had success with-other than Starvation! LOL...JUST KIDDING!

{{{HUGS}}} (Alex told me to add that!) :D

Frizzy said...

Ugh! You all need a vacation from all of this. Don't you wish we could just click our heals and be somewhere else or at least feel better? Esp. when it comes to our kids and pain. I'll be keeping her in my prayers. You too!

I am green with envy re. the weight loss. GREEN!

Molly said...

So much going on at once, wow.

I had tubes put in my ears when I was 5 & my mom tells me I was fine in no time. My tonsils were out at 9 & all I remember is not being able to eat Thanksgiving dinner. :(

I know 4 is young, but it's probably much better that way.

You & your family are in my prayers.

Congrats on the pounds lost.

Sarah - Kala said...

I had the tube surgery FIVE times. The first, my adnoids were taken, too. The fifth, I had a benign tumor/cyst removed from my ear and inner ear bone reconstruction done. My hearing is still poor these days, but . . . the conclusion on me has been that my esctascian (sp?) tubes are kinked or swell shut too often (allergies, malformed combination) and that's what caused the fluid to stay in my inner ear and cause hearing loss. The tubes kept things dry in there . . . so, fret not. She'll actually get better! PRAYERS FOR YOU ALL
And, congrats on the weight loss! And, I heard that most folks have trouble with only the last ten or so pounds . . . you'll be fine!!!

liz said...

I'm sure you're so tired! My older one had the tubes, adenoids and tonsils done about a year ago and what a muuuch better year it has been. I was scared too about the surgery and the recovery, but we made it and oh, how she can hear and smell and taste now, and doesn't sleep so much- it is a whole new world opened up. Praying for peace in your heart and healing so you can keep up with the wee ones

Anonymous said...

{{{{{{Nancy}}}}}} I am praying for your kids and for you.

Judy Dudich said...

Ok...first...I don't know WHAT is wrong with me...but I do believe I wrote ABIGAIL instead of Olivia in a few notes concerning her ear infections ?!?!?!?!?!?! FORGIVE me if I indeed did that...I am SUCH a flutter-brain at times!

Secondly, I am so so sorry that your sweet family is suffering with such terrible health issues.

The ongoing/chronic nature of these things must be purely EXHAUSTING for you my friend...you are IN MY PRAYERS.

Finally, that last part is AWESOME with a capital "A"!!!!
Thank you for being such a great inspiration!

I hope the kiddos AND you feel better soon. Remind us about Olivia's surgery closer to the date so we can pray her through it!!!!!!!

Therese said...

oh Nancy,

You have been having a rough time.

The weight loss is great. Prayers for Olivia.

Sam had tubes regularly from when he was 5 months old till having his adenoids out when he was 3.

I can still remember him in the hospital jumping around on the bed after the adenoids operation. The nurse asked me to calm him down because they were frightened that jumping around would cause him to hemorrhage. I bet Olivia will come through fine. I think older children seem to feel worse after operations than the young ones.

Anonymous said...

God can do anything. If we just believe.Maria