"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be." - Shel Silverstein

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Still On Track

So far, we are still on track to probably decannulate Marissa in September. We just had an appointment with Dr. P today and we downsized her trach from a 3.0 Neo to a 2.5 Neo (the smallest trach made without going custom).


I emailed the doc a couple of weeks ago with my concerns that the squeak was still there and I didn't think it was due to swelling and irritation in her airway. I told her it was the same squeak that was there before her surgery and I just didn't think it was going to go away with time, at least not before decan season is over. I asked her, based on the fact that she is not in respiratory distress when she squeaks (no dropping of sats, no color change, no retractions or nostril flaring), if she thought Rissa's vocal cords are still not moving properly and how comfortable she is with decannulating anyway. I let her know that there was no way I want to decannulate if it is not safe or in Rissa's best interest. Here is a quote from her email response to me:

If the squeak is still present, I think we are looking at the possibility that, even though the graft opened her airway up some, it may not be open enough to prevent her vocal folds from meeting midline and creating the sound. There are positives and negatives to this. Negative, her cords are still not completely lateralized, however, the positive is, if her airway is stable, this may not matter and it decreases our risk of aspiration.

So, the squeak may not be a problem. Dr. P wants Marissa to have a sleep study and, if all goes well, we will see her in Denver sometime in September to yank that tube!!!

11 comments:

The VW's said...

Sounds like a great plan! Hope the sleep study goes well and that she is tube-free by September! That would be so AWESOME! Love and Hugs!!!

ANewKindOfPerfect said...

Wow! That sounds like good news. I hope her sleep study is good. :)

Gretch said...

Saying millions of prayers a day!!!!! XOXOXOXOXO

Hope said...

September is a huge month of both of us!! I'm praying Marissa gets decanned without problems. You are an awesome family:)

Michelle and Sean said...

I've been wondering how that squeak was doing!! I really hope things go well! You are smart to not rush it though!! So many people tell me that we need to get Maggies trach out since this is when the doctors told us she would be better by. But they don't understand that she is not ready and I don't want to have it removed just to turn around and put it back in. Anyway you know her so well I know you will be able to make the right decision when the time comes.

I'm praying for you all!!

Michelle said...

praying praying praying...sending some love!!

Nana and PaPa said...

Lots of positive thoughts and prayers surrounding you. Glad the appt. with Dr, P went so well today...YEAHHHH!!!! Love to all of you....special hugs and kisses to Marissa from us.
Love,
Nana & PaPa

Lacey said...

Yank that tube baby! I never understand how kids can breath around the tube, and she's been doing it for so long, she should breath like a rock star with that thing out of the way!!

Colleen said...

Praying and so excited that you will probably have big news for us in September!

sugar magnolia said...

I just got directed to your blog...what fabulous news! My daughter just got her trach out a month ago (July 15) after almost 4 years with it. It has been lifechanging to get it out, to say the least. I am bookmarking your blog and look forward to reading good news in September!

sugar magnolia said...

Also wanted to say...I'm not sure why your daughter has the trach, but I'm reading that her vocal cords aren't moving properly? My dd has one paralyzed vocal cord. Even with decannulation, she still has a stridor, but our ENT says it's ok...she'll always have it and is not in respiratory distress.