Sorry Girls...

I have been a bad blogger this month. I have had so much on my plate that I took a little family time. I am now ready to get back on track and planning a fun prize pack for everyone next month!!

My youngest daughter has been ill lately and having problems with her ears on top of everything. We finally got a chance to see a specialist who was amazed at her. He did a hearing test and declared her legally deaf. I was in tears watching the test and seeing her NOT respond to the sounds. When we met with the doctor after the test he showed us some pictures. Although I can't remember officially what he labeled her with, I do remember the pictures he showed us. There were 4 pictures showing different levels of what she has. She was a level 4!!

He told us that she must have taught herself to read lips and learn through basic tone what certain words were. She hasn't been shy all these years but hanging back because she couldn't hear. The speech problems she was having are now because she couldn't hear. Poor baby.... all these years and nobody picked up on it. We were just repeatedly given antibiotics because "her ears were red and had some fluid buildup.... looks like she's going to get an ear infection. Take these pills."

The doctor said that she had so much fluid buildup that she must have been in constant pain for years. When he asked her she teared up and said that yes she was always sore and in pain but she learned from her Poppa to "Take the Pain." (Her Poppa had lung cancer and was always going on about taking the pain. She said that if Poppa was brave enough then she was too.)

Needless to say.... she ended up having surgery on both her ears. What a trooper she is. She was stronger and braver than I was. Here is a picture of her when she just woke up from surgery. All smiles.... as always!

She is starting to hear things she never, really noticed before. The sound of the wind chimes, the beep on the phone when you press the numbers and the sounds of the birds outside. People have even noticed that her speech has improved. The miracle of modern medicine.

Note: Have your children's hearing checked regularly.

I remember in school we would have our hearing checked every couple years when in Elementary School. I wish they still did it. Paige wouldn't have suffered years of being deaf and in constant pain and discomfort if they still did testing in school.

Thanks for all the well wishes I received on Facebook. I have more photos there. Add me as a friend if you'd like to see my sweet, brave girl.

~Tara~