Surgery update

Ellis did great with her surgery today. In fact, things went so well that her doctor let us come home tonight instead of spending the night in the hospital. Her doctor did not downsize her trach, but things are still progressing. The tissue that was removed today was partially blocking her airway and now that it is gone, downsizing might not be necessary. When the swelling goes down she should be able to get enough air around the trach now that she is bigger and stronger that we can start practicing with a Passy-Muir valve. That's a one-way breathing valve that will allow her to vocalize more once she gets used to it. It may take a few months, but if she does well with it, the next step will be to go back to Children's for capping trials in which they will actually block up her trach to teach her to breathe without it. If that step goes well, getting the trach out for good will follow soon after. We know this process will take a while but we are grateful to be making steps forward. Thank you for all your prayers and kind messages today. Ellis is still feeling tired and cranky and sore, but we know she will rest much better tonight here at home.