Well today was fun.
There's just nothing quite like re-arranging your afternoon and abandoning your original plans so that you can instead wrestle your poor, scared little kiddo in the doctors office for a few hours....
Sigh.
Back in May when we had Brinlee in for her 4-year-old check up, the doctor took a peek in her ears and said she was pretty full of wax. She said it usually works itself out, but told us we need to bring her back in if she starts complaining of discomfort or having difficulty hearing.
Well, over the last few weeks Brinlee started being bothered by those very things! Not consistently, so I hadn't thought much about it. But over the last few days it really started to kick in, and this morning in particular she was pretty bugged. She kept tugging at her ears and telling me "They feel weird mom, I just can't hear!"
Poor baby girl. While I was in the shower she decided to take matters into her own hands and when I got out I found her busy with a Q-tip... Ack!!
Now. If I'm being totally fair and honest, I would admit that she has learned by example...
Not that I haven't made it very clear to these kiddos that Q-tips are a mommy's job only!
But I like clean ears, ok! Especially kid ears.
And I know what you're thinking - DeeAnna, Q-tips? Seriously, you're a nurse!
Well don't worry, I get it now, we've learned our lesson around here and I'll be changing my ways.
Brinlee was near tears. "It's not working, I still can't hear. And my ear hurts!" So I peeked in, did my own quick swab, came out with some blood, went into official panic mode, called Tim for a quick "help calm me down and tell me what to do!" session, and then took her in to get checked out.
Long story short:
- There had NOT been any damage to her eardrum, thank goodness!
- She was totally plugged on both sides by a huge amount of deep wax.
- The doctor wanted to do a good rinse of both ears to help get her feeling and hearing better.
- Brinlee completely hated it!
- And every single person in that whole office definitely heard her make that very clear :(
Before they did the rinse, they put in some ear drops and our little lady looked something like this.
And then an hour later when all was said and done we were leaving looking something like this.
Talk about rough. My poor sweet girl!
I will say this, her ears may have been plugged, but her lungs were working just fine. She sure hollered. Bless her heart. She tried so hard to be tough and brave, but it was uncomfortable, and she just hated it.
But, now she feels and hears like a new woman. So, worth it I guess?
Still heartbreaking.
Lessons Learned:
1. It's true what they say, No more Q-tips!
2. Don't be fooled by little ears, they can hold an amazing amount of gunk. (Seriously, it was a ton!)
3. A milkshake really can make everything better.
Sheesh. Here's to a happier, more relaxed, not so traumatizing, not so tear-filled, not so ear wax-filled, fun day tomorrow. She deserves it!
