Hi everyone,
Good news from Peter's hospital appointment today. He first had a chest X-ray which showed that his lungs were the same or slightly better than last time (January, I think). He was then seen by the cardiologist and pulmonologist and both were pleased. (Cardiologist: Peter's heart sounded "perfect as usual"! Pulmonologist: Peter's "on the fast track".) In fact, the pulmonologist gave the green light for the next step in Peter's recovery. In medical terms it's called a 'bronchoscopy for possible decanulation.' In other words, getting his trach out! This would happen sometime after mid-May, because he has to have been off the vent for 6 to 8 weeks.
The pulmonology nurse handling Peter's case outlined three scenarios of what might happen:
1. Bronchoscopy shows airways clear. Trach taken out right during the procedure that day. One to two nights in the hospital.
2. Bronchoscopy shows scar tissue needing removal. Scar tissue is lasered off that day, Peter is sent home to heal. Returns one week later to have trach out.
3. Bronchoscopy shows significant scarring requiring reconstructive surgery. Peter goes home until surgery is scheduled. Reconstructive surgery performed with 1 to 2 weeks in the hospital to recover. Trach taken out before he goes home.
Whatever scenario it ends up as, when the trach is taken out, Peter will have a bandage over his throat for four to six weeks. Then he will have some stitches for a while until the site heals.
Our pediatrician has warned us that when a child gets his trach taken out, he discovers his voice. It's like a new toy that he will want to play with all the time. So we may find our household decibel levels going up this summer.
