Grommets for the Grommet

After a long wait Xav finally had his appointment with the Ear, nose and Throat specialist.

He's been great lately, last ear infection was in Tas and I just filled his ear with garlic oil and it cleared up. He did come down with a yucky cold on Wednesday night though and I was suspicious that another ear infection was on it's way, so it was perfect timing to be going to see the specialist.

Grandma came up to watch Grace (who slept the whole time we were away), and Duane came along with us. Thank goodness for that because we ended up having an hour wait so Duane got to chase Xavier around as he terrorised the medical centre. Busy, busy boy that he is!

I was quite surprised when we were finally introduced to the ENT guy, he barely looked 25. He was friendly with Xav though and seemed to know what he was on about so I handed over my precious boy for him to examine. He checked his ears and said that it looked like he may be on the verge of an infection and that there may be some fluid build up. We chatted about his ear infection history and he said straight up that he would recommend grommets.

I was a bit naive and thought that it was just a tube that went into the ear, no cutting or anything. However, he explained that they cut a slit inside the ear and this little piece of plastic (the grommet) is placed in there. It usually only lasts for 6-12 months then has to be done all over again. he explained all the costs (about $1500 if done privately) and that he could do it next week if we wanted too. I was a bit taken aback that my little boy would need anaesthetic and surgery, so I told him that I would like to see how he goes over the next few months and then make a decision. I am hoping that as the warmer weather comes, and the colds and sniffles stop being passed around, he might not get any more ear infections.

In the meantime I'll keep dosing him up on Cod Liv A, Metagenics Immune care and the garlic oil in the ears. I've also taken him off cows milk and giving him rice milk instead. It's something to do with the dairy causing mucous, which in turn can cause the ear infections. Yoghurt is ok as it is partially broken down already and we are still breastfeeding (although he is showing some indifference to this sob, sob!!)

If he is still getting ear infections then I'll reconsider getting the grommets. I'm just not that keen at the moment for surgery if it is something that can be controlled other ways. Of course I don't want him to be in any pain or discomfort, so if the grommets can stop this, I'm all for it.

Whilst I don't' want to mess around with my children's health, I do feel the need to question everything. Duane and I both felt that the ENT guy was a little hurried in just getting Xav into surgery ASAP. I know that he probably knows best, but I still just want to give it a bit if time.