Lessons Learned...

Kate's excellent adventure with corn up her nose has come to an end. The odyssey began Monday with a kernel of fresh, Wisconsin sweet corn traveling against gravity into Kate's right nostril. Tuesday morning Kate woke up and again announced she "had corn in her 'nofah'". I asked her if it really was there and she replied, "Yes, corn happy!" Great. There's apparently nothing like having happy corn up one's nose...or as expensive.

We visited the pediatrician Tuesday afternoon on a fact-finding mission to find said happy corn. No luck, this kernel was an elusive one. The next step was to decide if we should let it go and risk an infection or take it to the next level: the otolaryngologist (aka ENT). Since the complications of letting corn marinate in her nose for a few months didn't sound good, we opted for the ENT.

Wednesday we all headed to Children's Hospital's ENT clinic for the "procedures". Kate must have sensed something was up when she met the nurse practitioner. She immediately announced she "needed to go home."

Our very kind ENT, 2 nurses, a resident and myself then positioned our very strong toddler for the exam. First came the high powered microscope...no corn$$$. Then came the endoscope to look into her right sinuses...no corn$$$$. Next, better look on both sides and her ears with the otoscope...$$$$$. Alas, there was no corn, but there was one tired toddler from putting up one amazing demonstration of strength. This happy corn apparently had laughed its way right through the nose, down the esophagus and into her diaper.

I did ask her if she planned on sticking corn up her nose again and she adamantly replied, "no!" Thursday I found her with a Ritz cracker headed north towards the right nostril...