Update
Well, Emma came out of her procedure just fine. A bit sleepy, but she was her bubbly self within a couple hours.
What did we learn? First, Emma does not need surgery. However, she will get worse before she gets better.
Emma had a multi part diagnosis...
First thing... Emma has some flappy skin in her esophogus, and while it is the appropriate size all the way down, it is a bit soft in places and is a more oval shape (rather than circular). Emma will grow out of this, but, as I said earlier, it'll get worse before it gets better. The doctors told us that this condition has ~ 18 month healing time... with Emma getting worse and worse for the first six months, and then gradually getting better by the 18th month (24th as a worst case scenario).
Second... Emma's left vocal chord is paralyzed at this time. How did this happen? During Emma's PDA surgery in December. We knew that it was a possibilty that it could happen, and the doctors actually use the nerve for the left vocal chord as their road map for the PDA surgery. Unfortunately, her left vocal chord is paralyzed. The next question is... will it heal (healing time = 6 to 12 months) or will it not heal. If it doesn't heal, Emma is not in trouble. Luckily, babies brains are smart and can adapt... so, Emma's right vocal chord will compensate, and no one will be the wiser. We asked the pediatric ENT what if it neither heals nor compensates... she said that she has never had that happen...
So, where does that leave us? With a baby that is getting closer to breathing on her own, that isn't eating much lately (our guess = the docs are over feeding her), and with a mom and dad that are ready to get her home. But, we know that her grunting and breathing will get better over time.
On a side note... Michelle, I hope you are enjoying your time in Hawaii! I'm guessing we'll be seeing you on Saturday...
What did we learn? First, Emma does not need surgery. However, she will get worse before she gets better.
Emma had a multi part diagnosis...
First thing... Emma has some flappy skin in her esophogus, and while it is the appropriate size all the way down, it is a bit soft in places and is a more oval shape (rather than circular). Emma will grow out of this, but, as I said earlier, it'll get worse before it gets better. The doctors told us that this condition has ~ 18 month healing time... with Emma getting worse and worse for the first six months, and then gradually getting better by the 18th month (24th as a worst case scenario).
Second... Emma's left vocal chord is paralyzed at this time. How did this happen? During Emma's PDA surgery in December. We knew that it was a possibilty that it could happen, and the doctors actually use the nerve for the left vocal chord as their road map for the PDA surgery. Unfortunately, her left vocal chord is paralyzed. The next question is... will it heal (healing time = 6 to 12 months) or will it not heal. If it doesn't heal, Emma is not in trouble. Luckily, babies brains are smart and can adapt... so, Emma's right vocal chord will compensate, and no one will be the wiser. We asked the pediatric ENT what if it neither heals nor compensates... she said that she has never had that happen...
So, where does that leave us? With a baby that is getting closer to breathing on her own, that isn't eating much lately (our guess = the docs are over feeding her), and with a mom and dad that are ready to get her home. But, we know that her grunting and breathing will get better over time.
On a side note... Michelle, I hope you are enjoying your time in Hawaii! I'm guessing we'll be seeing you on Saturday...
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