Pierced Ears Panic

Shortly after moving to Yakima, in 1992, to be exact, Becca got her wish and had her ears pierced for her birthday. At that time she got a set of “beginner earrings” to use while the holes became permanent. They probably were not the most expensive set, no doubt stainless steel or some sort of “knock off” look alike. It has been my observation, and I have been told (since I have not had pierced ears of my own) that at the outset they are hard to put back in after the necessary cleansing with alcohol, soap, etc. Like any good disaster movie, the stage was set for the drama to unfold. Soon one of Becca’s ears became infected. When I saw it finally, the earlobe had swelled and even grown a bit around the earring backing. This made it impossible to remove.

Home attempts proved futile and so we went to our family doctor Jeff Kaplan. He attempted to remove it but Becca was screaming and squirming so much that he gave up on the attempt. The poor child was in such pain, she was almost in hysterics. Something had to be done but what? The situation could not go on without some resolution for Becca’s health.

Dr. Kaplan felt that more of a surgeon’s skill was needed and referred us to a wonderful Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, Doctor Abbenhaus. He was renowned for his work with children. We went to his office and he saw Becca almost right away. He sat down and was explaining the situation to her and she was listening intently to his words when, suddenly, he showed her the backing, resting in the palm of his hand, which he had removed without her even knowing it. She was amazed as were we all. When the earring was removed and the wound drained, it was packed with antibiotics and Becca wore a bandage over her ear for many days to keep infection away. She looked like a small war-wounded casualty.

I think that Dr, Abbenhaus attained a status next to godliness in our house and in Becca’s eyes. Later, he used a very aggressive treatment of steroids to cure her of Bell’s Palsy. This only served to heighten his divine status. He retired not to long afterwards and I am always grateful that he was there for her, when she needed him.
JP 12-31-2011