The Dr took a minute to check her out and looked me in the eye and said, "Not good news.... Double ear infection." And then proceeded to tell me that both eardrums were extremely infected, red and bulging. Poor baby!
Now, let me be honest with you- because that is what I like to do. I like to expose my flaws in the hopes that others will be inclinded to be candid as well.... and when we find ourselves in the midst of personal self-doubt or a mini crisis we will remember that we are NOT alone. Other Moms are not perfect, so we don't need to pretend to be, either. (Well, apparantly some moms actually are "perfect" - but I'm not friends with those Moms. On purpose.)
Anyway, as I was saying, here's a flaw I'd like to expose. I am disappointed in myself and my pride is suffering a bit. There you have it.
What do they say? Pride comes before a fall? So, for 5 years I've been so proud of the fact that NONE of my children have EVER had an ear infection. (See how I am doing it again... stressing the words none and ever in the hopes that you'll think to yourself "wow- she's amazing!!"... that would be my pride). I was convinced it was because I've nursed each of my children for so long. Never had a drop of formula- pat pat pat (that's me patting myself on the back). While many of my friends chastize me (lovingly, of course) for nursing my kids until they are (just about) 2 years old, I have always retorted (lovingly, of course) with, "Ahh- yes, but how many times have your kids been on antibotics? And how many ear infections have your kids had?"
(Okay- those of you who are reading this... please don't start hating me and not wanting to be my friend. I really am pretty nice... and, keep reading- you will see the foot interjected into my mouth in
3,
2,
1...)
So- here I sit eating my words. This is Ariana's SECOND ear infection in 2 months. So much for the nursing theory (and she is still nursing 3-4 times a day). I guess she just has little ear canals? I should have figured one of my kids would inherit my bad eardrums- I suffered chronic infections as a kid and had tubes put in my ears twice before my 3rd birthday.
None of the kids had ever had antibiotics... and, once again, I was pretty impressed with myself considering that Grace is 5.5 and Alex is 3.5... until this January.... both the older ones were struck with bacterial pneumonia and now Ariana with her ear infections... twice.
I am not the least bit excited about having to give her antibiotics. And, to tell you the honest truth, if we weren't hopping on an airplane in a week, I would not be doing it. I would wait and see if it cleared on it's own (I've now heard that 95% of ear infections should not be treated with antibiotics since the majority turn out to be viral). But, I cannot take the chance this time. I need her ears to be well before we hit 10,000 ft.
So- to any of those Mom's I may have joked with about what a "great" mother I am cause my kids never suffer ear infections- please know I am eating my words. Right now as I type. This morning as I carried a (literally) screaming baby around the house for an entire hour. And at 1 a.m.... 3 am.... and 5 am.... the last couple of nights.
Here's to hoping that soon we will be hearing a lot less of this around our house...
And this...
And seeing a lot less of this...
And soon be seeing a lot more of this...
And THIS...
8 comments:
I too can relate with the "Not being friends with those mothers" lol.
I also can realte with ear infections. Although MINE has had many of them and he had to get tubes at the ripe age of 1. It was something I never wanted my child to have to go through but with our situation of them reoccurring, it was sooooooo worth it!
He never had another ear infection after that.
I hope the lil sweet-cheeks starts feeling better really soon and you start seeing more of that gorgeous smile of hers, even though when she frowns/cries/scowls she is still DANG cute!
Yuck, hate that.
My 4-yr old has never had one, but my 2-yr old has had 2 ear infections.
He only nursed 2 mos less than her...so in this case, it's not the case.
This might not be one of the advantages per se -- but you know there are so many more!
Thanks for being honest, Angela...it is one of the many reasons that I REALLY enjoy reading your blog!!!
Poor little gal...she looks pretty miserable! I truly hope that she is feeling better and that those antibiotics kick in mighty soon!
What a sweet little girlie you have though even when she is sick and unhappy...she is a beauty!!
Don't beat yourself up. You are a great mom not because they have not been sick, but because when they did get sick...every decision you made was in their best interest!
Yes, again, I so appreciate how honest you are. Admitting parenting pride. All mothers feel it...we just don't all admit that that's what it is (although, nursing children DOES help them not to be so sick, and not to have ear infections, but when nursing they still CAN get sick...perhaps Ariana would have had 6 by now if you didn't nurse her...so, while not wanting to be full of pride, I allow you to still feel GOOD about yourself that you give your children the best, healthiest milk). I love your honesty...thanks for sharing!
I, too, was SO sure that Kieran was NEVER EVER sick because I nursed him exclusively so long. Then, along came Cullen and I think he had 2 ear infections during his first year, even though he, too, was nursing. And now, Maisie, while she's been hospitalized twice since she's been born! So, I think some of it is genetic propensity as well as the number of kids in the house...the more kids there are, the more germs will get brought in.
Anyway, nurse on and keep being so refreshingly honest and, also, let's hope the ear infections stop so that that spunky, beautiful, energetic, daddy's-shoes-wearing little peanut will be back in action!!
Poor little girl. I know her misery. I had an ear infection as an adult and I wanted to stick my head in a vice grip. So, she has my sympathy. My little ones were all breast fed and still managed to not only have ear infections but my middle one had rotavirus and rsv. She now has asthma and usually a case of bronchitis or pneumonia a couple times of year. I still believe the breast feeding was better than formula but germs are germs and they sometimes find a way into our kids. Thanks for your honesty. My bible study last night was on pride so this has been on my mind a lot today. Also, my little Dixie will be going sometime this week. I can't handle the poor dog anymore. So your comment is quite accurate. Out she goes. Such is life.
Oh, she does look miserable, doesn't she? I'm sure she'll be feeling much better once those antibiotics kick in. I'm glad, for your sake and hers, this came about now and not next week, considering you'll be in Florida! THAT would've been miserable.
Trying to post this (been having issues with Blogger lately...). Hope this works!
Poor Ariana - and poor you, Ange! Ugh! I was wondering how her dr. appointment went on Monday.
I'm glad she is on medicine now and will be on the mend soon. I've been in your very same boat. My kids have also had their share of icky bugs (ear infections, RSV, bronchiolitis, asthma) and they, too, were all nursed for 15-24 months. I really believe a lot of it is genetics, folks. As much as we wish we could control everything - we can't. We just have to roll with it.
Jena
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