Hey everyone,
Happy Valentine's Day. Our's hasn't shaped up like we had hoped. Ethan had his bronch and esophagus scoping today. They did not have to dilate him again which was a good thing. However, that's about where the positives stop. Dr. Jennings told us that his tracheomalacia is much more severe then what they last thought. The aortapexia done before isn't long enough to keep his airway open. They also found a "rather large" out-pouch on his trachea that they want to operate on.
What that means is Ethan will not be getting transferred to Manchester this week. It also means he will most likely have at least two more surgeries in the next 4-6 weeks. They are thinking March 2nd will be the next one. Dr. Jennings, always the optimist, is hopeful that this next surgery will allow him to remove the trach tube all together. However, they were hopeful of this after his last surgery. All this means we are again at a point where more surgery is needed, and we really have no time frame of when he will be home. Lastly, Dr. Jennings did state that he thinks both of his vocal chords are at least partially functioning. One looked good, and the other did have movement. That is actually a good sign but inconclusive at best.
Not the news we were hoping for today, and it's depressing to think Ethan continues to sit in a hospital bed. The light at the end of the tunnel just got moved back out of view again.
Tina and I made dinner reservations for Valentine's Day tonight in Manchester, so we are going to try to enjoy that. Hopefully, in the weeks to come they will be able to repair Ethan's trach so he can some home free of the trach tube. We're trying hard to stay positive, but it seems like every time they did deeper, we find another problem to contend with. God bless Ethan and his amazingly positive disposition throughout the hell he's been through. Please keep praying for him.
Much love,
Ryan, Tina, Ethan, and Kevin
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