An Invitation to the Ear Nose & Throat Doctor - With a Side of Croup Please

Ayla – Once again – was not sleeping through the night.  She was also pulling on her ears which is the tell tale sign of yet another ear infection.  I got her into the doctor on Monday and she had a partial ear infection.  Dr. Ciaccio said that she was ready to refer her to the ENT doctor to have tubes put in our little baby’s ears.  I’m actually so relieved.  I know that tubes don’t completely prevent ear infections, but it’s got to be better than what Ayla is dealing with all the time right now!  They scheduled her for a consult on December 23^rd, the same day as her 9 month check –up.  After she has a consult with the doctor, they will schedule a date and time for her surgery.  They say it’s a very simple procedure.  She will be in and out and will feel good as new.  I’m counting on it!

Then, Tuesday night, Ayla woke up around 1:00 am whining.  She didn’t sound the same this time, so I went in and listened to her.  Her throat was raspy, and I could hear rattling in her throat.  I picked her up and she just laid her head on my chest and whimpered.  I was so worried that she couldn’t breathe.  It sounded like it was hard for her to take in air.  She fell asleep pretty quickly after I held her, so I went back to bed thinking that maybe she would be better in the morning.  When she woke up the next day, Blair went in and got her and told me that she sounded really bad.  She sounded just like she had the night before, so I put in a call to the doctor.  ( I swear they must think I’m a stalker).  I rushed to school, wrote up sub plans, and got back home so Blair could get to work.  Her appointment was at 8:45 am and Dr. Ciaccio confirmed that Ayla had a low grade fever and Croup.  It’s viral so there isn’t anything you can do except to try to keep them comfortable.  She was also contagious so she won’t be able to go to daycare for Wednesday or Thursday.  Looks like her vacation is starting earlier than ours!  J