My Brave Little Girl

Dear Isabella,

There comes a time in every little girl's life when they have to be brave and do what the doctors want. Today was the start of that journey. Today, we saw Dr. Handler. Mommy heard so many wonderful things about him. And with the trouble your ears have been causing lately, it was time to pay him a visit. It sure was an early morning. We kept you in your pajamas and drove into Philadelphia for our appointment. Luckily, you woke up before we arrived at CHOP's Wood Building. You ate some of your breakfast in the waiting area, but then the adventure started.

First, you met Nurse Peggy. She looked in your ears (and surprisingly, you let her look without ANY fighting!). Of course, your ears have fluid in them. Mommy is not surprised anymore with those words. When she tried to look in your throat, you sure gave her a hard time! But she got a good enough look to know that your tonsils and adenoids are fine and dandy. You were such a good and brave little girl for Nurse Peggy. She was so impressed with how well behaved you were for her at such a young age. 

Then, Dr. Handler came in. He checked out your ears again. You weren't so nice to him at first with your ears, but then you just relaxed and let him do his job. But, just like with Nurse Peggy, you didn't want him to look in your mouth. But he managed to get a good enough look to be happy with what he saw (Thankfully, he didn't comment on your bad breath). Sure enough, there is fluid in your ears. He suspected that it was causing you some temporary hearing deficiencies. Everything to you sounds like it does under water. Poor girl, you just can't seem to catch a break! He decided that the best decision for your ears is to have tubes put in. They are the tiniest little things, Izzy! He showed Daddy and me what they look like. They really are tiny. He says that once they are put in, your ears should be able to drain the fluid and you should be able to hear like a normal child does. He sure is impressed with how much you have seemed to pick up and say despite all the infections and constant fluid.

Dr. Handler sent us to visit the audiologist down the hallway. You really liked her. She was funny and got some giggles out of you. You were so brave sitting on Mommy's lap in the sound room. It was a strange room, I know. There were lots of things to stimulate your attention. You did as well as you were expected to do with all the fluid in your ears. You certainly didn't respond to the noises that were extremely soft. Your eyes didn't even acknowledge where the sound was coming from. Then, she put these neat headphones on your head (not your ears, though) and they tested how your inner ear reacted to sounds when the sound was able to bypass the fluid and you responded much better to all the sounds. So, this was our proof that the fluid is causing some hearing deficiencies. Mommy and Daddy don't want to do anything that would cause you pain, but these ear tubes will surely be a wonderful thing.

We scheduled your surgery for the 27th of this month. So, in less than four weeks, you will have a nice set of ear tubes and what Dr. Handler calls "Brand New Ears!" He says you will hear things you haven't really noticed before and we should notice remarkable development of your vocabulary. I know you are going to be scared on the 27th. Mommy would be lying if I said I wasn't going to be scared right along with you. But, I am going to wear my Big Girl panties that day and you are going to be my brave little girl. It's a quick surgery. In fact, it is the anesthesia that takes the longest to deal with. But I promise we will get through it. Daddy will make sure we are both brave that day. 

Right now, you are peacefully napping next to me on the couch, unscarred by your appointments today. It will all be a distant memory soon and you will only know that you feel better, walk better, talk better, and everything will sound better. Wait until you hear your Mom-Mom's singing with clear ears! You will be so excited. And wait until you hear Poppy's organ and Daddy's trumpet. Wait until you hear Grandma's voice and giggles. The excitement that awaits you when your ears are finally clear of all this fluid is huge!! Mommy can hardly wait. We have to be brave for one big day and then, the fun times can begin! Just wait and see. Remember, Mommy and Daddy are doing this for you because we love you and don't want to see you have any more ear infections. They are no good for you. They cause you pain and make you grumpy because your ears hurt. Mommy and Daddy want to see you healthy and happy without the ear troubles. That day is coming!

Love,
Mom