Posted by Angela on 4/18/2008, 7:04 am, in reply to "update on Kate"
72.76.37.40
Holly, thanks for posting. I've been thinking of you, because even though my Kate is 18mos, I remember those early days so well, and how completely overwhelmed I felt...like I was drowning. I hope so much that the TLA works for her. I was so hopeful when we did it that it would do what we needed it to. I really hope it is successful.
Where are you having the surgery??? When is it?? Have you ever seen a baby that's had one? They can very swollen at first, and Kate was kept on paralytic drugs for 4 days afterwards. She looked really pale and puffy, but God, when I came to her room and saw her off everything and breathing on her own for the first time, I knew it was worth it.
Good luck and please keep us updated!
Angela and Kate 
--Previous Message--
: Well, we have been in the picu since monday
: night. They have been observing Kate and her
: airway problems. It has been decided that
: it is time to do something. We have weighed
: all of our options and have decided to try
: the TLA. It was hard to come to a decision
: on this as you guys all well know. Nobody
: seems to agree on what is the best way to
: "treat" the airway obstruction in
: these cases. Not even doctors and people
: that research can. Being a nurse I think
: makes this even tougher. I am well aware of
: all the risks involved in surgery and in
: trach placement. We decided to try the TLA
: first. I have talked with other parents
: that it worked great for their kids. I am
: hoping that this works for Kate too, but i
: know there is a chance it will not. I am
: going to take it one step at a time. Kate
: has no feeding issues at this point, and I
: am hoping that none of the interventions
: that we might have to take will affect that.
: A lot of people that responded to my first
: post were not optimistic at all about the
: surgery, so it was very tough to come to the
: decision. I don't want her to end up with a
: trach, but I know that it may come to that.
: I guess that it is the nurse in me....i have
: seen first hand the complications/infections
: and so forth in kids with trachs although
: none that i have seen with prs. I am praying
: so hard for my baby...pray for us also. I
: will keep you guys updated on the
: progress....Holly and Kate
:
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