Surgery Day

It seems like we have been chasing after today since I had my zoom meeting with Dr. Smithers about 3 weeks ago. Everything happened so quickly. I had already done my research and believed Dr. Smithers was the answer we were looking for, so when his colleague asked if we could get our ducks in a row to have surgery in less than 3 weeks it was full steam ahead. Within hours we were on the phone with insurance, coordinating doctors appointments, talking to Charlie’s teacher and principal, planning a road trip…and many other moving pieces. Down to the last hour we were making it come together.

I woke up Milo a little early this morning so we could have a little time together before we left for the hospital. In typical Milo fashion he was happy, giggly, snuggly. We checked in to the hospital and he road around in a blue car before we said our goodbyes for surgery. We then prepared to settle in for 8-12 hours.

Milo did amazing throughout the surgery. Dr. Smithers started by entering through the neck. Working on his airway first. He repaired the tracheomalacia And adjusting the location of the esophagus in respect to his trachea.

When he moved on to the esophagus although the stricture section itself was short there was damage to the wall of the esophagus further. He removed the stricture and a little further out leaving healthy esophagus only.

He also removed remaining tracheo pouch that had been left behind from his last two surgeries. At the end an egd was performed to confirm proper flow and that there was no leak.

After surgery we were able to meet with Dr. Smithers and then after a while we reunited with Milo in the Picu. He is very heavily sedated, as well as, having a paralytic and will have a breathing tube until at least Saturday.

I was very nervous to see my sweet boy but was amazed at how good he looks (especially considering how he has looked after other surgeries). He has great color.

I’m so proud of our boy and look forward to seeing the progress he makes every day. The road ahead is long and bumpy but for the first time in a while I have so much hope.

Please continue to send all the good vibes, thoughts, good juju, and prayers as we navigate his recovery.