News from Cincinnati!!!

I FINALLY talked to Cincinnati today! The nurse hasn't called because the doctor was trying to make a final decision. Basically, the plan to have Single Stage LTP has changed. The Aerodigestive Team decided that Double Stage LTP might be better for my little man! However, when the surgery starts and the surgeon looks inside, the plan could change back to Single Stage.

The surgery is basically the same. Both take rib cartilage to reconstruct the airway. Here is the difference:

Single Stage: The surgery is done, trach comes out, ventilator (life support) goes in to act as a stint for the airway, he is in a medically induced coma in ICU for 7-10 days, we stay in Cincy up to 4 weeks, come home TRACH FREE!

Double Stage: The surgery is done, trach stays in, stint goes in to hold the airway open, we stay a week, come home. 6 weeks to 3 months later, we go back, stint comes out, trach comes out, we stay several days to make sure all is well, come home TRACH FREE!

I fully trust Dr. Cotton and his team! I feel like they truly have Brayton's best interest in mind. I do not have a date yet, but I will by tomorrow even if I have to call every hour!!! :)

Please pray for the team as they make decisions! Pray for Luke and me as we work with the doctors! Pray for Brayton that God CONTINUES to heal his airway perfectly and completely!!!

Love you all!!!

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23 NKJV)

My 2nd Mother's Day...

As Mother's Day approaches, I have been thinking about how blessed I am to be a Mom. And not just any mom, a TRACH mom! When this all first happened, I never would have considered being a trach mom as a blessing. However, I have grown so much because of my little miracle! I have learned to put someone else's life ahead of my own. I have learned to fight and stand firm. I have learned patience (still working on this one). I have learned that there is a bigger picture. I have learned to smile through every circumstance (this, Brayton taught me)! I have grown wiser. God has shown Himself to me full force through my smiling angel. God knew what He was doing when He sent Brayton to me. And it has been the greatest adventure ever!

I have also gained a new respect for my mother! She has been my rock, my friend, my counselor and so much more! Words can't describe how much this amazing woman means to me!

My mother in law has been amazing! She keeps Brayton instead of traveling with her husband so that I can work and is always there when I need her!

I am blessed with two wonderful motherly examples! Having Brayton has made me respect each if them so much more! I would not have made it this far without them!

As we continue our journey, I am blessed, loved, and taken care of! And most importantly, Brayton is blessed, loved, and cared for!

Happy Mother's Day to ALL! 

God, continue to heal Brayton's airway perfectly and completely!!!

Results...

Ok, friends, let me start by saying that I going to explain this the best I can considering I am pretty much exhausted!

Dr. Cotton won me over when he said in his British accent, "There are no stupid questions. Your son is your most prized possession, and you are giving him to us to take care of. That is how we will treat him too."

The GI and pulmonary doctors said everything on their end looked good. Each doctor did tests and results will not be in until next week.

ENT, Dr. Cotton, said there is no reason that surgery can't be done. So, as soon as we can get it scheduled, Brayton will be having a Laryngotracheoplaty (LTP). There is a single stage and a double stage. Dr. Cotton thinks the single stage will be the best for Brayton. Basically, we will come back to Cincy, and will be here for 3-4 weeks. They take cartilage from Brayton's ribs and use it to create an airway. they will also remove the trach. He will be sedated and intubated for 7-10 days following the procedure. The tube for intubation will act as a stint for the new cartilage. When the tube comes out, we will be trach free!

The procedure can fail. But if that happens, we go back to the trach and we figure something else out. However, Dr. Cotton, the "inventor" of the surgery, is very confident that all will go well.

They only issue we should have when it is all over is that his voice will be very hoarse and raspy. It will take a while for him to speak well though. But I will take hoarse and raspy over nothing ANY DAY!!!

I will have full details next Thursday of the plan changes after the test results come in. The following week, we should have a date!!!!

PRAISE GOD FOR ANSWERED PRAYERS!!! Keep praying as we still have a long road ahead of us!!!