Kaleb is Out

Kaleb went back for surgery around 4:30pm this afternoon and finally got out around 8:30pm tonight. Here’s the update:

Tongue Tie - went well with no issues.

GJ Tube - placement took a lot longer than they expected because of some difficulty with getting his stomach to stay in the right place and then needing to change out his J tube for a different length, but in the end it’s all in place now.

Bronchoscopy - went smoothly and came back with an immediate answer. Kaleb’s left lung has Bronchomalacia. As far as I understand it, this is a condition where the bronchial tubes leading into the lung collapse when relaxed (during exhalation and sleeping especially) which can lead to difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and a susceptibility to respiratory infections (because bacteria and secretions get trapped in the lung). The pulmonologist told us that babies with this condition can often grow out of it as their lungs strengthen and mature and that they’re most inclined to leave it alone to see if that’s the case. In the past, doctors have put stents in the bronchiole but the risk of scar tissue developing or other complications made this option not as popular now. I’m sure we’ll learn more as time goes on, but right now the takeaway is Kaleb’s oxygen dependency isn’t going to go away any time soon. In fact, it might increase if he gets more infections. It also looks like he has some tracheomalacia as well, which is a similar condition in the trachea. We’re not sure yet if that is connected to his difficulty swallowing/aspirating.

Todd and I are waiting now to go back to see him. He’s been transferred to the CICU, back on the floor where it all started for us. Quite a whirlwind the past 6 months have been. I just figured out today that Kaleb has spent about 14 weeks at home and 15 weeks in the hospital in his little life. He is such a priceless treasure to us.

We’re hoping to see a lot of familiar faces over the next few days and would appreciate prayer for opportunities to share Christ with those we interact with.

Please Pray

• That Kaleb would recover quickly and smoothly from his surgery. They’re particularly concerned that his lungs, being already in such a bad state, recover from the procedures that were done.

• That God would strengthen our hearts as we contemplate how this news will affect the next couple of years and that He would give us faith that this also is a part of His perfect and good plan for us and for our precious Kaleb.

You keep him in perfect peace

whose mind is stayed on You,

because he trusts in You.

Trust in the LORD forever,

for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock. 

Isaiah 26:3–4