My boys were not “early talkers”. They were never behind what the developmental charts deemed “normal”, but they were never that far ahead of the game, either. Miss Emily is starting to prove me wrong with my theory that it is just how our family rolls, but the boys? Right in the middle of the road.
Graham’s enunciation was never top-notch, but not one to require intervention either. Some of his words are still a little less-than-crystal-clear, but it is due to habit more than anything. The school speech therapist agrees with me (And was also VERY impressed by his pre-reading skills! Woo!) We have been correcting him when he gets lazy, and have seen progress.
Nathan was also slow to speak. Then, at about two-and-a-half years of age, in the span of ONE WEEK, he started speaking in full sentences. And we could. not. shut. him. up. He also had poor enunciation, but I chalked it up to him being just like his brother.
In addition to his speech being a little hard to understand sometimes, the dude seemed to have a listening problem. I would tell him something, he would say OK, then PROCEED TO DO THE EXACT OPPOSITE. When I asked him what I had just told him, he would reply, “I don’t know“.
Sometimes I wondered if Graham got the brains and Nathan got the athletic ability. Totally plausible, if you know them both.
He also says, “What?” a lot. And TALKS REALLY LOUD. When I tell him that he is talking loudly, he says (In a high volume), “BUT I’M NOT!”
A few weeks ago Honey and I talked about the possibility that maybe he really couldn’t hear us. He has had a few ear infections this spring, and maybe they caused some damage? The fact that his enunciation could stand to see improvement was another thing that supported our theory. We called the doctor.
Matthew took Nathan to see our family doctor (also a family friend), and the doctor said that Nathan had another (minor) ear infection. He said that the fluid in his ears was probably why he was having trouble hearing. He also thought it would likely clear up on its own, but trusted our instincts that maybe we needed to see a specialist.
Today, Nathan got to see the specialist. The diagnosis? He does not have permanent hearing damage. However. BOTH ears are filled with fluid. He really CAN’T hear us. It is like trying to listen with your ears submerged under water. I would sure have a hard time learning proper enunciation if all I could hear was (Cue Charlie Brown’s teacher) “Mwa-Mwa-Mwa-Mwa”.
*Nathan, sweetie, I am sorry for thinking you were just being a stinker and not listening to me. You were just not hearing me.*
He has an appointment in September to get tubes put in his ears. I know that he needs them, and I know they will help him, but the thought of my sweet boy being put under general anesthetic makes me teary. I have been under twice (Knee surgery, and D&C after miscarriage) and IT WAS AWFUL. Barfing and nausea and CRAPPY ROTTENNESS.
Plus there’s the whole “completely unconscious” thing.
*Sigh*
But it’s not about me. It’s about him.
He should not have to live his life in a muffled fog. He should also not be living in a perpetual state of discomfort thanks to a constant ear infection. He deserves better, whether a fifteen-minute surgery freaks me out or not.
Besides, I have three months to prepare myself for the fact that he will have surgery. Or work myself into an emotional frenzy.
Not that I am the type to do that or anything.
My little brother got tubes in his ears when he was about Nathan’s age. I was SO jealous because he got to take his “Farfield” with him and even Farfield got a hospital bracelet!
I’m glad that you guys found this out, though!
Rhi’s last blog post..Things I Really Love
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One of my best friends 3-year-olds just had this done. It took 15 minutes, and it was IMMEDIATE as far as clearing up his speech impediment and hearing. Plus, there was basically zero recovery. He was bouncing off the walls within the hour.
The improvement in quality of life for him will be awesome. I am so glad you figured this out. (And know you are worried regardless of the reassurances. It’s only normal as a parent.)
Loralee’s last blog post..Whatev?
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You know I know how you feel having just gone through this and I also know that it’s totally worth it. Good for you and Matthew for trusting your instincts.
Jack recovered pretty quickly too and only vomitted once. Then he was fine and ate 4 peices of toast in one sitting
Kami’s last blog post..A Long Way From September
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Poor sweet little Nathan!
Kids bounce back fast though, and it’ll be far better for him too!
songsinblue’s last blog post..4 minutes
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As I mentioned on Twitter, we got tubes over here and have been doctor free for well over a year. We LOVE tubes.
By the time hubs went to Starbucks next door and back, the surgery was over……
hang in there!
little miss mel’s last blog post..feeling a little looney
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Oh, hugs, hugs, hugs, hugs, hugs!
Victoria’s last blog post..Ahh Hah Hah Hah Hah!
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Yep, being a Mom can be a big ole worry. Good call with the ear fluid suspicions!
witchypoo’s last blog post..Remorseful Perverse Parenting
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I really really feel for him. My ears were filled with fluid for almost two weeks and it was DREADFUL. I felt like bawling all the time out of pure frustration (not to mention how it felt!). Poor little guy.
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It’s good you know now but still, I’m sorry he has to go through that. At least it is fixable, right?
HUG
sizzle’s last blog post..This Bites
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I’ve heard awesome things about having this surgery—like actual behaviour of the child improves b/c they stop moving around/talking because they stop to LISTEN to what they had never really heard before. It’s actually pretty cool
The Over-Thinker’s last blog post..This one’s for Lucy.
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my little brother (also named Nathan) had issues when he was a kid. he never had to have the tubes but he did need to get his ears flushed. the first time it happened he called the doctor a ‘stupid idiot’ – still makes me laugh to think of my (then) 3 year-old brother calling an adult a stupid idiot
hills’s last blog post..But You Know Cold-Blooded Women Make Me Sneeze
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Glad to hear you’ve found a solution! Hopefully it will be relatively painless for Nathan, and that his recovery will be quick.
Sharon’s last blog post..Memories of camp
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Aw, man. I am so glad that he is not going to have any long-term troubles and that there is a quick and easy(ish) way to help Nathan out. Like I mentioned before, my brother had tubes and now he’s going to be working on his MBA.
But I can understand the fear and anxiety you must be feeling…it’ll be OK. It will. And then it will be so much better for him. You can do it!
Amanda Brown’s last blog post..Slicked
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I bet Nathan will be SO MUCH happier when he gets the tubes put it, but UGH, I totally understand your fears. Don’t worry too much – everything will turn out GREAT. xoxo
whoorl’s last blog post..Oklahoma Is Quite Windy
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Good on you for following up with this. Nathan’s a real doll. I am sure this will be a big help.
Elizabeth’s last blog post..A leetle nervous
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I had tubes in my ears when I was young. I do remember a man with a beard ‘scratching’ my hand with a needle, but I don’t remember a thing about the anesthetics. So it will maybe pain you to see it, but he won’t remember it long term.
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Oh man, that sucks! Poor guy. I’ve had quite a few surgeries, and don’t really mind the general anesthetic, but then it doesn’t make me nauseous or anything.
I’m glad you have a couple months to prepare yourself, but then, you could have a couple months to work yourself in to a frenzy.
Either way, I hope it goes well!
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Mooses
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I totally understand your fears about surgery and being put under especially after my oldest had issues with a “simple surgery.”
I’m sure he’ll be great if not better though.
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I hope his ears clear up soon! Poor guy.
Having the tubes put in his ears will be a good thing, you know that though.
Kristin’s last blog post..Dr. Ian G Foulds
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Aww poor little dude. I wouldn’t worry too much
I had tubes a handful, I said HANDFUL, of times! Each time my mom would let me pick out a new toy – this was huge for me! One time I got my “crimper”, remember those??? I still have it! Anywho, I’m off topic. I had trouble hearing the sounds each letter made when I was young due to this very same ear infection problem Nathan is having and let me tell you – it’s best to get all the help you can. I had bad spelling and there was no reason why I had to – thank goodness I grew out of it and worked hard on my spelling or I’d be one bad teacher today 
I fully understand your mother’s worry, but I assure you – he will most likely handle the really quick surgery better than you might think
I’m sure he’s a trooper!
Tracy’s last blog post..No Spa
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Oh one other thing.. he’s going to think it’s pretty sweet when these tiny little, most likely blue, “beads” come out of his ears in a few months!!! We still have mine! lol
Tracy’s last blog post..No Spa
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I can imagine you would be worried – I would be too! Hopefully this will do the trick for Nathan though! Have a great weekend!
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Hi Angella,
My daughter had tubes…4 minute surgery. I also am a Speech-Language Pathologist…I think these things should be put in at birth. They are such miracle things…you will be amazed. I was fine with the drugs because I didn’t want her to feel pain, my friend opted for some other option with no/less drugs and her kiddo was in a ton of pain…hope it goes well! Make sure to get a picture of his “first” surgery!
Amanda’s last blog post..Summer Days….
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I totally understand why you’re worried (I’d be the same way!), but it’s for the best, and he’ll be so much better afterwards. hugs!!
metalia’s last blog post..An Update on my Progress, or Lack Thereof
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Good for you for being proactive and going to that specialist!
Samantha’s last blog post..Dreary.
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I had tubes twice, once when I was a baby, and again when I was 8 years old. My mom said that the anesthesia didn’t bother me. (since I totally don’t remember anything) I do think kids bounce back quickly. Unfortunately, at the same time, I had my tonsils taken out so the recovery wasn’t that pleasant, but my ears didn’t bother me.
Its not fun to have any type of ear infection, so it’s definately a positive thing!
Shelly’s last blog post..Meet my boyfriend Brad
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I had tubes when I was little and it worked. My two year old has an appointment with an ENT on Tuesday to look at her ears and tonsils. I pretty sure she will need tubes and need to get her tonsils removed.
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My nephew had it done and he is doing SO much better. And kids bounce back so easily, so he’ll be just fine!
But I would be freaked out too!
Kristabella’s last blog post..I Am Drunk
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As a speech language pathologist and mother of a son with tubes, it is so worth it. Not only did it “jumpstart” my son’s language (he was only 16 months when he had his first set) but he just felt better. He had tubes in and adenoids out and then 6 months later had a tonsillectomy (and a double hernia repair, long story) and then he really felt better, so he was out twice in a 6 month span of time. It is very scary but so worth it! There was no recovery from the tubes surgery, he cam home and was just fine. Hopefully that will be the case for Nathan!
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I think that line, “it’s about him, not me” is the most beautiful testament to parenting, and it’s why I think you are such a fantastic mother. You have such great perspective. I swear, when we have a kid, I’m going to take so many lessons from you—a stranger by definition but a friend in all other ways.
She Likes Purple’s last blog post..His Mother
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One of my sons had a small surgery at about age 18 months, and I thought I was going to DIE from the pathos and cuteness of a tiny johnny. (None of us died, though. Instead, we ate doughnuts in the cafeteria.)
Swistle’s last blog post..Also, Reconsider Your Name
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Being young and having a hearing problem is lame, I know.
And he’s a tough little guy, he’ll be alright!
(And so will his mama!)
Meg’s last blog post..I am my father’s daughter (not that there was any real doubt)
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You know we’ve been through this with Tyler. Pretty much the exact same situation, too. I know *EXACTLY* how you are feeling. It’s not easy watching your child be put to sleep – it is the hardest thing I’ve done, and I’ve done it twice with Tyler – but like you say, the end result will be worth it. We noticed HUGE changes in Tyler after the surgery.
So many people will say to you: “it’s only a simple procedure” but it doesn’t detract from the way you feel as a mom having to go through it. So allow yourself to feel that way, because it’s NORMAL.
(((Hugs)))
Hannah’s last blog post..The family flu
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