Makafui and the Legume

We have been having a bit of a hard time over here lately. On Monday I was determined to have a great day with M & do what I could to curb the meltdowns a bit. 

After much research and Pinterest roving, I decided M needed more in the way of sensory & calming play. So while Delali was napping, I grabbed a bag of Black Eyed Peas & went on the porch with Makafui. We had several different scoops  & cups & bowls & M & I were having a great time. Then he started to pour the beans over his head, which I had no problem with. Before I knew it, a bean landed in his outer ear & in the blink of an eye, he poked it into his ear canal. The magnitude of this did not hit me, like, at all!

I laid M on my bed to take a look...he was chill about me messing with him, but I knew quickly that I wouldn't be able to do anything beneficial. I called the pediatrician & they had us come right in.

We saw a Nurse Practioner (my favorite one) who took a look and couldn't see the bean because M had pushed it further into his ear on the drive over! She started poking around with the wax remover tool & Makafui was very ticklish & still pretty calm about the whole thing. Our Pediatrician came in to check on us/me & the overall feeling was still very relaxed. Delali was asleep in her car seat & I chatted happily with Makafui trying to keep everything relaxed. As the minutes crept by, M became less amused. Another nurse came in to hold a light over his ear, Delali woke up & started fussing & then another nurse came in to hold M still. 

(In hindsight, this is when everything took a turn & I should have said stop. I didn't realize what our options were, just that the NP seemed to be having success & we needed the bean out! That many people in one room was overwhelming and there was a lot going on!)

Next, a nurse took Delali to an office to soothe her so I could hold M. The NP tried a little more and the bean seemed to be coming out! In an instant, M was done, not only done, but completely hysterical.

I asked the NP what our options were and she said we'd need to go to an ENT if they couldn't get it out, but we could try water if we wanted. I got to calm down enough to ask if he wanted the bean out or if we should try again another day. He wanted it OUT! So the room cleared & then 2 nurses (including Makafui's favorite) came in with the fancy spray bottle & cup. The bean didn't budge, M became more hysterical. I called off anymore tries & held back my own tears.

We were given a list of ENT recommendations & another sweet nurse came to check on me. She asked what I wanted to do & when I responded, "Leave." She took charge. She told me to check out with Makafui & go to the car, that she would bring Delali & my stuff. She did just that & it made my day!

I could tell M was exhausted & needed to sleep! I hoped that I could drive around, he would sleep & reset & we could go to one of the ENTs & get things taken care of.

Well, it was 3:30, none of the ENTS had a spot. We did get an appointment for the next morning though.

That night M slept horribly & just needed me! I felt so bad for him & didn't mind a bit battling traffic to the Dr at 7:15 the next morning to get it out.

No dice.

M covered both ears the second we got in the exam room! The man who saw him was so kind & understanding & said if a previous attempt was traumatic (ya think?) & took more than 5 minutes, that he wouldn't try.

Our only option was to have it done at a hospital with sedation.

So today, we went to Dell Children's to have that bean removed! I was so, so nervous about the anesthesia! It took an hour to drive to the hospital this morning because of traffic-I prayed & tried not to throw up the whole way!

When we got there, M did pretty well. He didn't want the pulse-ox thing on his finger or toe & he didn't want a hospital bracelet on! We were all nervous about how he would handle being away from me for the gas & the nurse said he could get "happy juice" first. Thankfully, the fun riding toys distracted him & when it was time to back, we asked if he wanted to go be a pilot & put a mask on with his flight crew & he walked right back!

The procedure took no time at all & he was out for about 30 minutes. When he woke up, he was piiiiiissed!! I was thoroughly amused by it & just so happy that he was okay & that Black Eyed Pea was out!

M has been extremely irritable all week & seems back to his happy self this afternoon. Yay!

My dad brought over a new mask from his sleep machine on Wednesday so M could be a helicopter pilot & practice for the anesthesia...I think it helped.

Putting on a brave & happy face on the way to the hospital.

Little Dude starting to get nervous (being hungry & thirsty didn't help!).

Cool waiting room before we got in a room. I didn't take pics after this because my hands were full!

There it is! The most expensive Black Eyed Pea in Texas!!

We rewarded ourselves with a GIANT Diet Dr. Pepper for me & Sprite & French fries for M!

I'm so grateful that my mom came to help with Delali today, it allowed me to be all there for Makafui. This will all be funny one day....maybe in six months or so. For now, I'm exhausted & worried about M hating/fearing the Dr after this & how much stress his little self has been through this week. :( Time will tell. People keep telling me kids are resilient.