Tubes???

[Chrissie]

Well Kylie is now on her 5th ear infection in less than 4 months. That means she should get tubes put in. Has anyone else had tubes with a HLHS baby? I am so scared to death about this, but don't want to see her suffer. Do they have to do it at PCMC? Any advice would help THANK YOU!!!

Chrissie

[deanna.m.gourley]

Gracie had tubes placed just before her Glenn, so she was extremely sick and it made all the world of a difference. We got a referral from the audiology department at Primary's for Dr. Steven Kelly---he has offices throughout the SLC valley, I don't know about up where you are. We love him. He didn't do anything until consulting with Grace's cardiologist and once they were on board, we scheduled tubes for the same day as a sedated echo to get to for one.

Gracie was in the OR for about an hour and half, but that was because of the echo too. Dr. Kelly came out 30 minutes into it, to tell me he was done. Once the effects of the sedation wore off, Gracie wasn't in pain and immediately I could tell a difference. She still gets tons of ear infections, but she handles them so much more.

Its my understanding that any procedure for our heart kiddos has to be done at Primary's because of their complex history---besides I doubt anywhere else would touch them!

Good luck, I know how terrible it is to make them go through yet another procedure, but Kylie has already shown what a star she is through both of her heart surgeries--tubes will be a piece of cake for her.

[Heart Mommy]

Gator got tubes last summer and it has been the best thing ever. Besides his circ this was the only time a "surgery" has been less than an hour... It took about twenty minutes. This has been one of the major things keeping us out of the hospital. I am going to be thankful forever that his ped suggested that we look into it. I too had reservations. What hlhs mommy wouldn't after having gone through so many surgeries already to have them do another one... But honestly it was VERY nice for a change to be the mommy that barely sat in the waiting room and they were already coming to get me to tell me he was done. I didn't even have my hubs take a day off for it....

But, I am always going to tell you to talk with your card and ped. We did it at PCMC and it went perfect.

[wendytalbert]

My son, Nathaniel, had tubes put in 4 different times because it took him a long time to outgrow ear infections. I was very nervous about the first time but it was so fast and easy - he was back in my arms about 20-30 minutes after he left and already waking up from the anesthesia. We had all of his tubes put in at the Provo Surgical Center because every time he needed tubes his heart issues were stable. The tubes really are a good thing because they allow your child to be happier and to eat and sleep better and that makes it a lot easier on their whole bodies.

[JoeyG]

Oh Chrissie, I hope Kylie gets to feeling better soon, the poor kid!!! You hang in there too.

Hugs,