Mastoidectomy: is a surgical procedure designed to remove infection or growths in the bone behind the ear (mastoid bone). Its purpose is to create a “safe” ear and prevent further damage to the hearing apparatus. A mastoidectomy is performed with the patient fully asleep (under general anesthesia). A surgical cut (incision) is made behind the ear. The mastoid bone is then exposed and opened with a surgical drill. The infection or growth is then removed (read; scraped away). The incision is closed with stitches under the skin. A drainage tube may also be placed.  Source

According to Ivy’s ENT doctor this is a ‘fun’ four hour operation and there is no guarantee that it will cure Ivy’s ear problems,

yet it was suggested that we go ahead with it, consider it as an option

and there are some people who believe

I should have agreed to it

and are upset

because I didn’t.

Tell me, if it were your four year old daughter who, in the last four years, has had

2 sets of grommets

1 adenoidectomy

2 PICC line insertions

and 1 Port insertion

all under a general anesthetic and

all with the promise of doing good things but having really done very little at all

would you go through with it?

Or more to the point, could you put this little possum

through the trauma of another operation with limited chance of success?

Because I can’t.

I just can’t.