One Step Closer

Wow, what a busy Thanksgiving weekend we have had.  Our little turkey not only turned 11 months old, but he also had his 3rd surgery.  This is the surgery we have been anticipating since he was born.  This is the surgery that will allow him to breath through his nose.  This surgery was a very big deal to us, and he did great.

We have truly been so blessed this year.  Throughout the stress and trials we have faced in 2016, we have so much to be thankful for.  I am so thankful for Rhett, and the joy he brings to mine and everyone’s life.  He is so strong and such a fighter.  He amazes me every single day.  I am thankful for the doctors and nurses that have helped get Rhett where he needs to be medically.  He has not been sick or hospitalized since leaving the NICU in February, and that is pretty rare in babies that are medically complex.  I am thankful we have a children’s hospital that is basically down the road from us, but I am also thankful we have the opportunity to travel to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where the doctors specialize in CHARGE syndrome.  Traveling to have surgeries and procedures can be tough, but I know we are getting the best care possible for Rhett.  I am thankful for the trach and the g-tube.  While both of these things are not ideal, they have given my baby life.  He has been able to grow and thrive this year because he has not had to struggle to breathe or eat.  I am thankful for each therapist we have that comes to work with Rhett.  Therapies keep my life busy, but I know he would not be where he is without them.  I am so thankful for the love and support from our friends and family.  Rhett has so many prayer warriors, and I know God is answering our prayers and taking care of my sweet baby.  Thank you to everyone who has prayed for Rhett.  We have definitely felt your prayers all weekend.

I apologize for the delay in updating, but this is the first minute I have had to finally sit down and get my thoughts together.  Rhett had his Choanal Atresia repair Friday morning.  Everything went as planned, and they said Rhett did great in surgery.  He now has stents in his nose to help keep the holes open, and the stents will stay in for the next month.  They sort of look like little straws sticking out of his nose.  We will travel back to Cincinnati the day after Christmas, and he will have his stents removed in the OR on December 27th.  This will give us a pretty good idea as to whether or not the surgery was successful.  About a week after the stents are removed, the ENT will do another scope of his nose.  This will be the appointment that will tell us if this surgery was successful, or if Rhett needs to have more procedures to keep his nose open.  I am asking all prayer warriors to keep on praying.  Pray for Rhett’s recovery.  Pray he heals quickly without a lot of pain.  So far his pain has been managed very well with Tylenol.  Friday afternoon and evening were a little rough, but he slept well Friday night and has been pretty happy and playful while awake since then.  Pray for us as we will have several trips to Cincinnati in the next couple months.  Also pray that the airway in his nose will stay wide open, and not need any other surgery to keep it open.

I am so relieved to be one step closer to getting Rhett where he needs to be, and one step closer to getting his trach out.  I say one step closer because it will be a process to get him to the point where he is ready to be trach free.  Thank you again for praying for Rhett.  He is truly a miracle from God.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.