The occupational therapist (OT) came by yesterday and again today to check Sophia. She definitely can suck on to the bottle, or anything else that gets close to her mouth (fingers, blanket edges and even an IV line). But, she can't tell how well she swallows. Sophia's voice is also still really week. These two combined makes the doctors worried that there is a problem with her vocal cords or maybe she doesn't have the swallowing process down. During heart surgery the nerves controlling the vocal cords can get damaged. Also, intubation can really be hard on vocal cords, especially in a small baby. The nerves and the vocal cords can recover from this, but it takes time. So, tomorrow they will check her vocal cords. To see if she is swallowing properly they will also do an x-ray tracer study by giving her barium to swallow. When she will get moved to the intermediate ICU (I/ICU) will depend on these results. She is getting all of her milk though an NG tube (it goes from her nose into her stomach) and is up to 25 ml every two hours! Otherwise, Sophia is enjoying being held and rocked - she was even held by her grandparents for the first time yesterday!
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48 hours
Sophia Luz
48 hours
Short summary
-Sophia grows and eats solids.
-we are out of the acute phase
-the Aorta is growing well
-no cardiology appointments soon
-we are out of the acute phase
-the Aorta is growing well
-no cardiology appointments soon
Blog Archive
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2007
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April
(15)
- first days home
- first day on our own
- leaving the hospital
- almost home...
- The operation that Dr. Hanley's team performed
- swallowing and breathing
- vocal cords
- more lines out
- Sophia on her way...
- breathing tube is out
- recovery update
- first 36 hours
- surgery went well
- Her face is changing so quick...
- Pictures, Pictures
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April
(15)
2 comments:
Hi Mom and Dad,
What a roller coaster ride.
I am sooo happy and relieved for you guys.
I know it isn't over till Sophia is finished college, married, and has her own babies to worry about, but you parents have certainly come through a very hard time.
I am happy Sophia has such a good Mom and Dad and such a good life ahead.
And give those Grandparents some credit too!~!!!
I can finally uncross my fingers!
Love,
Maxie
It's so great they're going to do a swallow test for her. It is invaluable information for how to get her off the NG tube and breastfeeding. It's a lot of effort if there's problems swallowing but the work is worth it! Also, it took Zoe at least 3 months before her voice came back after surgery even though there was no permanent damage. Keep up the good work!
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