Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Hindsight is 20/20

A day or so after I posted about Gigi's stubborn ear infection, Gigi improved rapidly and we have had the past week or so of our charming, sweet, happy little girl back. Thank you so much for your well-wishes, and prayers and loving thoughts on Gigi's behalf! It made the world of a difference... We were able to wiggle into an appointment last Friday, and tomorrow morning we will go in for Gigi's 15-minute mini-operation to get tubes in her ears.


But this experience with her ear infection and the antibiotics has taught me an important lesson: my first line of fire when it comes to my baby's health needs to be self-education. After I posted about our non-success with the antibiotics our Doctor had prescribed, my aunt and German sister both emailed me independently and asked if I had tried other natural antibiotics used commonly for ear infections (onions and garlic are antibiotics, for example), and it occurred to me that me that I had not done my homework. With all of the other things going on in my life, I had left Gigi's health in the hands of our Doctor, who, although I consider a fairly competent person, is un-versed with any approach to health besides one. I feel confident that we are making the right decision in having tiny microscopic tubes put in her ears to release some of the pressure created by the stagnant liquid on the inside of her eardrum, but the next time health concerns arise, my first approach will be to become a doctor for my baby. Most importantly, I will consider other treatments that may be just as effective, and may be accessible from my very own kitchen.

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