We’ve been struggling a bit with managing Mason’s pain this week.  He started out doing very well on just Tylenol and Ibuprofin, but by about Friday he was definitely showing signs of being uncomfortable.  We suspected that he was either developing a tolerance, or that somehow the stronger meds from surgery had just finally phased out, so we stepped up to mixing Tylenol with Codeine into the rotation.

  

More recently, Mason started showing the warning signs of an ear infection (which we’ve gotten pretty good at identifying–he had two ear infections in his right ear over the last several weeks), so Andrea called the nurse at Children’s Hospital today to ask for advice.  After talking with several doctors and nurses, it came to light that one of the doctors that was in the OR to put tubes in Mason’s ears had noticed the beginning of the infection, and assumed that the other doctors would prescribe antibiotics.  The poor kid has had an ear infection all week which the doctors knew about, but has had to suffer through it without medicine until today.   Suffice it to say we are NOT happy, and neither are the other doctors.

Regardless, he’s now on antibiotics, and feeling much better.  We hope to start working him back down to Tylenol and Ibuprofin again tomorrow.  And we’ll be having a serious conversation with the doctors when we visit on Thursday.Now for the happier news.  This week has been full of adventures for our little hero.  Everything we do, down to changing diapers is a two-man operation, as we try to protect his bandages from his own prying fingers.  Mason took a bath on Saturday, since Andrea’s parents were in town for the weekend to help out (thanks!!!).  I wasn’t involved, but apparently Mason just discovered how much fun it is to splash, so while Mom and Oma and Opa are all trying to hold his hands and scrub him (all the while keeping his bandages dry), he did a very good job of giving Andrea a bath as well.

He also went for a stroller ride over the weekend–and for the first time enjoyed it.  Previously, Mason hated the stroller, and would always start crying within 2 minutes.  We suspect that the reduced pressure in his ears lets him enjoy the movement more, and he actually fell asleep!  Hopefully it’s a change that will last

We can’t wait for Thursday, so we can get those bandages off and clean up his face a bit.  The nasal stints have to stay in for several weeks, but it sure would be nice to get see the rest of his face.  We feel like bad parents, letting our kid get so dirty  Plus, we REALLY want to see how his new smile really looks!

 

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