Trach Update

Yesterday Emma headed over to Big CHOC for a bronch to see how her airway has progressed since getting a trach last November. She had an appointment at 1:00, but we were supposed to be there at 1:00. She also had to fast from 8:00 on. When we arrived, CHOC had no record of the appointment. Alissa walked over to Dr. Nickerson's office and he remembered booking the appointment as well. He pulled together a team and made the bronch happen after all. It was just another example of how great of care we receive from the CHOC family. After trying to give Emma a couple IVs and failing, they gave her some versed through her nose and she relaxed greatly. Her bronch procedure consisted of sending a tiny camera through her nose down her throat. They checked to see if the airway had become stronger, larger, and if any granuloma tissue had formed. Dr. Nickerson was surprised how far she had come. When they removed the trach during the procedure, her oxygen level and breathing remained good and her airway remained open and pink. He expects that by next Spring she should be able to remove the trach without any further surgeries. She just needs to gain about 50% more weight and she will be good to go. We look forward to that day because we will have a lot less medical equipment in the house.