Waiting Game

Thurs April,8th Blake is still working hard to breath. The Dr. that did the swallow test said that he believes that Blake may be working so hard to breath that he is not able to swallow. It is really looking like they will end up doing a Tracheotomy. If they do not do it today they can’t get him in tell Monday. They will do another scope today to see if the Botox is working at all before they go with the surgery. The Dr. and his staff have been great. An inter is going to be in the meeting today with the tracheotomy specialist as they explain things to Chad and Becky about the surgery and care. Dr. Park says that Blake will be a brand new boy with this surgery and will be so much more comfortable, and would hopefully be able to eat on his own.

The idea behind the trach would be that it would give two years for Blake to grow and be able to breath and be healthy. Two years of growth will mean his vocal cords and trachea, and everything else, will be bigger and either open up on it’s own, or give them enough to work with. He is still such a little guy that they really can’t do anything other than the Tracheotomy.
Dr. Park really praised Chad and Becky on their ability to take such good care of Blake with his condition. Although he is pretty skinny for his height, he has been given the proper nutrients to be strong/healthy in all other areas.

I talked to Becky this morning Friday April 9, and there is really nothing new. It sounds like Blake is still working quite hard to breath. The Dr. seems to think that he would have been able to pass his swallow test if he had not been so exhausted from breathing. It is amazing that he was able to make it this long without having some other ill effects with his breathing or serious infection in his lungs. He is a real fighter and he has two very loving and concerned parents that take such good care of him. The surgery is still on for Monday. Aleah will meet with the people that will train everyone on how to care for Blake that morning. I guess they have a doll and they will show her what they are doing and try to explain how she can help and how to treat him etc. Then everyone else will be training Tuesday-Friday. They will not release Blake until they feel comfortable with Chad and Becky's ability to care for him with the Trachea Tube. Sat April 10,Blake had a pretty rough day. They decided to intabate to help with his breathing and will keep him sedated untinl Monday when they do the surgery. Chad was a real tropper and stayed in the room while they put the breathing tube. THey had a tough time with the procedure and I am sure it was very hard for Chad to watch his little boy go through the pain. I hope that he will be peaceful the next couple days and get the rest he needs for the surgery on Monday.

Grandma Smith came for a visit

Things have kind of been up and down today Sunday April 11. This morning Blake's numbers were not where we would want them but things stabilized pretty well by 3 p.m. Then later tonight we kind of rough. His temp was 101. something and his heart rate was a bit elevated. They tried to take blood, but had a pretty hard time. I am not sure if it was incompetence, or if it is just because he is so little, but they poked and poked and did not end up getting any blood. They did take a swab in his throat, but that takes a couple days to get the results. They are trying to rule out infection before they do the surgery tomorrow at 11. Becky is exhausted and trying to get some rest and Chad is up at the hospital right now. I really hope all goes well through the night and that they are able to operate tomorrow.

Finally Mondy April 12 came they were set to go forward with the surgery at about 10:25 this morning. It seems like everytime that things are going good there is always a setback.  They found some infection in Blake's lungs this morning. They think it may be a little bit of phenumonia. There will be no surgery today, and probably not tell end of the week