From a Long Line of Bad Tubes

Eustachian tubes, that is.

We've got our first ear infection, people. At least the fever and crankiness are for a reason! Unfortunately, I'm almost certain that this will be the first in a long line of ear infections.

You see, both Warrior and I were complete sickies as kids, and still get sick probably more often than other adults. It's all thanks to the faulty tubes.

When I told Warrior that it was the beginning of an ear infection (consistent with a high fever and ear pulling, and his ears didn't look "normal"), he said, "I got ear infections ALL the time as a kid!" Huh. I knew about the asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia, but NOT the ear infections.

As a kid, I would have pretty much any one of the three major tube infections at least once a year: ear, sinus and tonsil. I also had bronchitis about once a year.

I don't think there was a year of school where I DIDN'T miss at least a whole week and several sporadic days due to illness. It's no wonder I earned the nickname, "Sicky Vicky." (Btw, don't EVER call me Vicky, k? Thanks. (Another story for another day.))

Then there was the month in seventh grade that I was out with pneumonia. Guess what? So was Warrior! We have so much in common! Both of our Moms took us to warmer climates to dry us out, like we were old people needing environment therapy.

The next year, I was out for over six weeks with Mono. And I didn't even have a boyfriend! At least I could have gotten it some fun way! But Nooooo, I got it SHARING A CAN OF SODA. I am THAT lame exciting. HA!

Growing up by the beach, I was in the water a lot. Which meant I got a lot of ear infections. I got so paranoid about water in my ears causing an infection that I became, and am still to this day, obsessed with using Q-tips to dry out the insides of my ears (which you're totally not supposed to do, but, hey, works for me!). I also try to avoid getting my ears wet, which is hard when you're trying to SWIM and generally ENJOY THE WATER.

My latest ear infection was four years ago, well into my twenties. The doctor said, "you're not supposed to get these past age three!" Yeah, thanks. I'll let my Eustachian tubes know that. I'll put 'em on probation or something.

It was such a bad ear infection that it required TWO rounds of antibiotics -- including one of the Anthrax drug, Cipro -- and a ten day course of prednisone (steroids) to clear it up. And even after the 'roids, my tube didn't ever open completely back up.

So I am left with a left ear that doesn't hear as well as the right. Because of an ear infection. Fabulous. (Diminished hearing is only one reason why I am already eighty-three years old. Tendonitis and arthritis are two others. Also another story for another time.)

In sum, I've been waiting for this day to come. I have actually been quite (pleasantly) surprised at how healthy Little Man has been. Of course, I did keep him in near total seclusion for the first six months of his life (due to doctor's orders -- prematurity and all), so that probably helped immensely.

I will have to be prepared for many more of these ear and other infections, and doctor's visits like this morning, marked by screaming and crying and heartbreaking sadness. My poor little Boo.

Little Man still has a fever, but the doctor said he should feel MUCH better in a few days. Since he's sleeping A LOT, I got to blog early today! At least something good came of it. Heh.