Greetings fellow Menifee residents….
I know this website is geared toward discussing the likes of our emerging city in the way of building projects in the area, politics, opinions on our leaders, changes taking place in our community, etc., but I have a story that I just have to tell.
My wife and I have three children; a three-year-old daughter, and twin boys, 17 months old.
About six weeks ago one of my boys was diagnosed with a condition called Glue Ear. The symptoms for this illness included constant ear infections, burst ear drums, including green and yellow puss discharge due to infection, slurred and/or impaired speech, and a stammering in ones walk or gate. My son had all of the above.
My family and I were members of Kaiser Permanente for almost two years. We took my son in to see his doctor in Riverside at least a half a dozen times to be treated for ear infections. Each time the solution was to medicate. At our last visit we literally begged the doctor to refer him to a specialist as we knew he was in constant pain and didn’t see an end in sight. Kaiser, of course, refused.
Eight weeks ago we changed insurance providers. After a couple of visits we were referred to a specialist.
My son had tubes surgically implanted in both of his ears this morning at 7:00 a.m. My wife stayed home with our other two children while I took my son to the hospital. I feel blessed that I was able to be there for my son when he woke up in my arms. I will never forget the moment. He smiled at me when he opened his eyes after being under. He is such a good baby. Not one tear the whole time (at least by him). Although he did express some irritation at the heart monitor on his toe!
I know you will think this is crazy, but only a couple of hours after the surgery our son had already said two new words, "bar" (we gave him a fruit bar) & "Popeye" (from the show we just put on for him). He spoke as clear as you and I would say it. These are his first words other than Dadda, Momma and nana (for banana). His twin brother has been talking for months.
The doctor said his hearing would be improved immediately, like Lasik Surgery for the eye. They weren't kidding! As I loaded him in the car from the hospital his head was snapping around at the cars pulling in and out of the parking lot and at the sounds of car doors closing. He is behaving like he is hearing things he hasn't heard before ;or at least much clearer. I know he is. It's amazing!
If you're a parent I know you know how we as parents feel. We are elated that our son can finally hear like other kids!
My wife and I have been on an emotional free fall all morning watching our "new and improved" son emerge. The drugs they gave him are wearing off, and it's getting better, literally, by the hour! We are witnessing a miracle taking place! It's like someone turned on a switch inside him. He's a totally different kid. Even his walk is different. He seems more sure of himself. He is now up to 5 or 6 totally new words he has never spoken before (and he's been asleep for the past two hours). Like I said, he only knew three words at 6:00 a.m. this morning. I get chills hearing his new words for the first time!
You know how you can tell when your kid is not feeling well? Even if there is no clear symptoms, you can just tell? Well, the opposite is also true here. When you have lived with your kid for his/her entire life and he/she is disabled, ill or hindered in one way or another, then a few hours later he/she is more confidant, clearer in his speech, responding better to your voice, etc.... Well, you just know.... I seriously don't have the words to describe it other than "miracle."
Our son, in a matter of a couple of hours, went from a kid with constant ear infections, puss running out of his ears, stammering when he walked, running into walls because his equilibrium was so messed up, mumbling nonsense, to a kid who walks with new confidence, and speaks with a clear tongue as though he's always been this way.
I don't know if any of you reading this believe in God and the power of miracles or not. For me and my family, we just received our resounding affirmation!
My mother once told me before I had any children “when you’re a parent, you will only be as happy as your saddest child.” Today, life just got a whole lot better!
