A Sunny Day

Frost

Say syr!

Myringotomy

I fell asleep before sip two of the beer(s) mentioned below, and awoke to a bright and smiling Thomas and Chad bearing a filled prescription.  Thomas was in a great mood after the specialist we saw in Prague performed a Myringotomy in both of his ears. I've spoken with several Czech people about this procedure, and it seems the preferred way to handle ear infections.  Unfortunately they do smaller procedures to children without anesthetic.  There are issues regarding anesthetic, but holding a screaming child down while a doctor performs a painful procedure is horrid.  I have faith in the extent of Czech medical research & practice-especially since they are quicker to prescribe a natural remedy to attack the root of a problem, rather than medicate a symptom as they do in the states-but I don't like the way they've handled my son at every visit so far.  We endured a 3rd myringotomy in Novy Bor at our follow up visit in the same style.  The doctor asked us to return the next day, and I did not.  I had no idea what they were going to do and no way of communicating clearly.  I think two holes in the ear drum are enough for it to drain, and do not want to return to a situation where I must physically restrain Thomas while a doctor hurts him.  I think this practice needs to change.  It shows no respect to children and no respect for their developmental stages.  Maybe I'm wrong, maybe they've figured out the best way to avoid medications, complications, etc.  It just doesn't feel right.  I believe that the least invasive methods are the best, especially for ears.   So anyway, we've been trying to keep him stress free, dairy free, and happy, putting antibiotic drops in his ears, feeding him antibiotic in his soy "desserts,"  dusting like maniacs, humidifying the air, and pumping him full of echinacia vitamin C gummy bears.  I've looked for calendula oil, and wonder if anyone knows a reliable brand I can order online?  I assume calendula oil would be the best type to drop in his ears, as there is broken skin in there right now.   I would really appreciate advice about any of this.  

MONDAY's still happen

Well, a 4:50am cab ride, 3 hour train ride to Prague, a walk to the embassy, then ministry, mini grocer (all located up an icy cobblestone hill, like a mile long, done with overnight baggage) translator, mall-what trip is complete without a trip to the mall?-for more passport size photos and espresso, search for accommodation-we tried to hostel it, but it cost $20 less than our hotel choice, and the hostel had no private toilet or breakfast and smelled of sweaty teenagers-nap-time, grocery store-then surprise-wild search for an English speaking urgent care for Thomas's emerging ear infections, several attempts at the public transport, a doctor visit, another wild attempt at public transport, a visit to an ear nose and throat specialist (is this still the same sentence?), diagnosis of a middle ear infection in both ears, prescriptions, a successful public transport ride to a closed lekarna (pharmacy), another trip to the grocery store for a fruit popsicle for the little trouper, a visit for Afghan take-away dinner way past bedtime, a bath, stories, and now several beers.  Na zdravi!

Homesickness remedy

Thank you for the care-packages over Christmas.  As you can see from the photo's, it was a rather quiet weekend.  Actually, we were crazy busy keeping a mysteriously feverish/flu-like Thomas happy, and researching and preparing our documents for our Visa applications.  I won't bore you with the details, hey what could be more exciting than pictures of boxed mac'n cheese from a family lucky enough to live in Europe for a good stint?  Really the details of our situation are tedious, not so dire, just a huge time drain, and leave me thanking the Schengen agreement in my most sarcastic tone.