To Tube or Not to Tube

Ahh, yes, our household has entered ear infections season again. I cannot tell you how excited I am at the prospect of 8-10 ear infections over a 6 months period. Last year, The Boy had a string of ear infections starting in August and ending in January. We then had almost eight months sickness free and now, it seems as if we are starting the pattern all over again.


We went through the whole madness of trying to decide if The Boy should be tubed. Many of you know what I am talking about. Ear tubes...surgery....unnecessary anesthesia. You can see where I am going with this. Our pediatrician is a very homeopathic, natural all the way kinda doctor. When she suggested that we check ear tubes out, we looked into it because it seemed dire if she suggested it. Being the Web MD fanatic that I am, I started to do research on ear tubes only to find out that there is no real conclusive evidence to suggest that the surgery and insertion of tubes works. For some kids it does and for some it does not. Often times, the tubes fall out and you have to have the surgery all over again. We made it to the ear, nose and throat doctor to talk about the surgery and of course he was all ready to do it. It is not good for fluid to sit on his ears, he may develop hearing and speech problems, etc., etc.

I spent the next few weeks riddled with anxiety over whether or not to go through with the surgery. Lots of prayer and more research and then in a seemingly miraculous way, the ear infections stopped. Completely gone only to reappear in what seems to be full force eight months later. Now, I am positive when I take The Boy back to the doctor today for what is sure to be his third ear infection since August, the subject of tubes will be brought up again. Keep in mind that my son is virtually symptom free when it comes to ear infections. He hardly ever spikes a fever. He still eats, he still runs and plays. He is generally happy and normal. We wouldn't know he was infected unless he told us, which he can do now. Prior to his ability to speak, I would take him in for a check up and the doctor would exclaim, "Holy moley, his ears are infected." Talk about feeling like a bad mom, like I should some how know that his ears are infected. The doctors tone always seem to ask, why didn't you use your x-ray vision to see inside his Eustachian tubes.

Last night, The Boy did in fact tell us his ear hurt and this was accompanied by a slight fever (100.1), so it is off to the Doc we go. I really hate the idea of tubing him, the docs have said he will more than likely grow into his ears by his 3rd year....this is right around the corner. I just hope we can make it through the rest of the year without too many antibiotics and/or doctor's visits.