Today, our 7-year-old grandson Nico had a 4 1/2 hour surgery at Cedar Sinai Hospital for an ear condition called cholesteatoma, which according to the NHS is “an abnormal collection of skin cells deep inside the ear, which can damage the delicate structures inside the ear that are essential for hearing and balance.” The surgeon removed a large collection of skin cells and scar tissue from Nico’s ear and also two of the small hearing bones due to damage. Also, she replaced the covering over his eardrum with a prosthetic covering. In a year, she will perform a second surgery to see if there has been any regrowth of the cholesteatoma and to assess the need to insert prosthetics to replace the two small ear bones. The surgery today was considered a complete success and Nico returned home late this afternoon after spending several hours in recovery due to anesthesia.

Of course, our whole family was on alert for most of the day since Nico, Sarah, and Gregorio arrived at the hospital before 7 am this morning. Nico went into surgery around 8 am and the Sarah and Gregorio were notified at 12:30 that he’d soon be going to recovery. We were all on a group text so that Sarah could keep us informed. Liz and her family stayed up-to-date in Ojai while Ray and I went out to be with Luna and Lyla, who were at Sarah and Gregorio’s home in South Pasadena with Auntie Rachael. We wanted to be there when Nico returned home, which wasn’t until around 5 pm. Meanwhile, Luna, Lyla, and I played cards, had a fun game of hide and seek, and then danced to several songs while Ray made freshly squeezed orange juice from our oranges and some candy and Rachael tidied up in the kitchen.

Gregorio carried Nico into the house upon their arrival and Nico sat downstairs in a recliner for a short time to have some jello and ice cream. It wasn’t longer, however, before he requested to go upstairs to bed. He was bright-eyed but clearly tired. His sisters were happy to have him home. Luna read him the cards that his classmates had made for him while Lyla stood nearby. We were all happy and relieved to see that he was doing well even after all that anesthesia and extensive surgery.

How very fortunate that this particular condition can be treated so effectively with surgery and prosthetics. We are hopeful that Nico’s hearing with improve in that ear post-surgery. We will see over time. Whatever the case, there are viable options for that in the future, and, as of now, Nico is free of the ongoing infection of the cholesteatoma. That is very happy news.

Below are several photos of our sweet Nico. He was a very brave boy today and I am very proud of him. I am also happy and relieved that all went so well.

Nico – Pre-surgery

Nico – In Recovery

Back home with Luna and Lyla