Painting

It is the night before Tye's surgery and it seems like it is a go at this point. If you haven't heard Tye came down with croup (5th time in a year) over the weekend. It was a pretty serious episode...we spent a few hours in the emergency room. We are becoming regulars there since Tye wants to get sick only on the weekends. At least Bob was home this time to help me make the decision to go. Tye was having a very hard time breathing so they took us back to a room with urgency and had the respiratory therapist present within 5 min. to administer an epi breathing treatment. It is very powerful and shrinks the swelling very quickly to help him to breathe. Also, Tye was given steroids. They had us hang out for 3 hours to make sure Tye did not react from the strong medicine in the breathing treatment. Since Saturday he has been slowly feeling better but is far from 100%. We made an appointment with the surgeon to answer last minute questions and take a look at him to see if he was well enough for surgery. Apparently, it is the decision of the anesthesiologist but his surgeon thought he would be okay. They may have to give him breathing treatments before and/or after the surgery to help with the swelling. The breathing tube could irritate the vocal cords where the swelling occurs. My mom got in with no problems today and was help from the get go. We have to be at the hospital at 8:45 tomorrow morning and the actual surgery is scheduled at 10:45. It will take about 2 hours before we will see him...1 hour for the surgery and the rest to prepare him and some time to recover. We will keep everyone updated on how everything is going. Thanks for all the happy thoughts!!!

Big Boy Bed

Bob and I were sound asleep two nights ago when I heard Tye talking. I started to get up to go check on him and he came walking in our bedroom. We thought their was no way that he could have gotten out of his crib, but he did. His room was just as we left it when we put him to bed. The following day Bob put him in the crib and sure enough he started to climb out by stretching his leg all the way up to the railing and pulling himself up. At nap time we had not figured out what to do with the crib so we let him sleep in it one more time. After his nap he was waiting behind the door for Bob. We came to the conclusion that it was not a one time thing so we better do something. We were able to find the directions to the crib and convert it to a toddler bed....not exactly what we want to worry about now with the surgery coming up.

Thanksgiving

Doesn't Bob always end up like this when there are kids around? Tye is down there under Gannon.

We spent Thanksgiving this year with our friends which are the other scouts in town and their families. All the guys took off their shirts leaving just their white t-shirts so they could do dishes. Channing (the little girl) disappeared upstairs to change into an outfit to match the guys. Then we had to take off Austin and Tye's shirts so they could match too. It made a cute picture!

Recent Pictures

Michigan Trip

Bob will be flying in to Philadelphia for meetings and our Monday night game on December 12th. Tye, my mom and I will be headed for Michigan on December 13th. We will be lying low to help Tye finish recuperating. Here are a couple ways for family to help....

There will be two huge dangers for Tye after his surgery. The first is the chance of Tye getting sick. After the surgery Tye will not be able to vomit so if he were to get the flu he would end up in the hospital. Bob, Tye and I were required to get a flu shot by the surgeon to help lower the possibilities of Tye getting sick. Since we will be spending a lot of time with the family it would be great if you haven't gotten yours and usually do..... go get it! Tye will not be able to be around any one who is sick. We won't be able to take any chances this trip.

The other way you all can help is to help us keep an eye on Tye. While Tye is recovering his esophagus will be swollen and very tight. This is why he will be on a pureed diet. Tye could choke on the tiniest piece of food. We will have to be careful about food dropping on the floor or on a low table where he could reach. Please help us to make sure Tye doesn't eat anything he shouldn't.

Thanks you! I know with our supportive families we will get through this very difficult time.

pH probe results

The pediatric G.I. called me on the Wednesday after the procedure with the results to the pH probe. Tye refluxed 47 times in the 24 hours during the study. The majority of them were while he was eating and after eating which would explain why he doesn't enjoy eating too much. From 12 to 1 a.m. he pretty much refluxed the whole hour. Then again in the morning he had an hour when he refluxed 10 times. The results were clear that Tye is suffering and will benefit greatly from the fundoplication surgery. The surgery is scheduled for December 4th. It will be a difficult time with the holidays but Bob and I believe we can not let Tye suffer any more by waiting. The surgeon informed me that Tye will be in the hospital 2-3 days. My mom will be coming on the 3rd to give us any support that we need. Tye will be on a strict pureed diet for at least 4 weeks until after his 2nd check up with the surgeon. We will see her the week after the surgery and then when we return to Idaho after Christmas.

Hospital Stay

24 hours in the hospital is no fun! Bob got in late Sunday night after being delayed all day. Monday morning we were up and to the hospital before 8:30. After checking in and settling in to Tye's room we had quite a bit of waiting. It was not until 10:30 when they gave Tye his sedative and 11:30 when they placed the tube. Bob stayed with Tye as I was already nauseaus. As soon as the tube was placed Tye pulled it out so it had to be put in again. Hand splints were put on so that Tye would not pull the tube out again. An x-ray was done right in his room to make sure the probe was in the right place. Luckily, it did not have to be adjusted. An hour or so later Tye did get used to the probe and the little backpack he had to wear, carrying the machine that recorded the information. We had to press a button on the machine when Tye was laying down and then again when he was upright and also when he was eating. We recorded what and when he ate in a diary. He had been off of his medicine since the Friday before so he did not eat very much. We spent time walking around the hospital in a wagon that they have to transport "little" patients and in the play room on the pediatric floor. It was a tough night. The room only accomadated one other person so I started off sleeping in the crib with Tye and Bob on the couch/bed. We had to switch rooms at 2:30 a.m. because the heat would not turn off. Bob then spent time in the crib with Tye and I on the couch. Bob had to leave first thing in the morning to catch his flight to Michigan for cross checks. The tube came out about 11 which was quite easy compared to how it went in.

The secret is out...

Yes, we are expecting! I am 11 weeks and due June 11th. Morning sickness has kept me close to home the last couple of months, although over the last week it has let up a little which feels great! I'm starting to feel like a person again rather than a nauseous zombie. I know it is early but I am starting to have a little baby belly. Maternity clothes are still too big so I have been practically living in sweats. Bob and I are very excited to add to our family and give Tye a little playmate!

Zoo

We visited the zoo this past week to see the new African addition. Bob's parents are in town to spend time with Tye! He has enjoyed his time with Grampie & Grandma.

pH Probe

November 10th Tye will have one more test called a pH probe that the surgeon requested. He will be admitted to the hospital for 24 hours.

This is pasted in from the internet to describe a pH probe study.

A pH probe study is a test done to find out if acid from the stomach is coming up into the esophagus (food tube).
In this test, a thin, flexible tube is passed through the nose, down the back of the throat, and into the esophagus. The tube is carefully taped in place. The end of the tube is attached to a small recording machine. This recorder has a belt that may be buckled around your child's waist or carried over a shoulder.
A pH probe study takes 18 to 24 hours. The tube is left in place for this time. You will be asked to keep a diary of your child's activity during the study. The doctor will use the diary to compare the computer reading with your child's activity.

I am still not convinced that this will tell us any more information than what we have. I will be calling the GI tomorrow to get a little more information. It's my understanding that Tye needs the surgery because he is aspirating. This test will measure how many times he is refluxing but has nothing to do with the lungs and how ofter he aspirates:(

Tye's surgery is tentatively scheduled for either December 4th or December 11th.

Halloween

Tye went trick-or-treating for the first time tonight. First, we visited three of our neighbors that we know who wanted to see Tye dressed up as a pirate. He looked adorable thanks to Oma who made his costume! Then we visited some houses in Kerinda and Marty's neighborhood with their kids. Channing was super-girl and Gannon was super-boy. Tye caught on pretty quick with the other kids and had a great time.

Results from Endoscopy

There was good and bad news that came from Tye’s Pediatric G.I. doctor.

The bad news is that Tye is refluxing and aspirating. Gastric juices and slightly digested food is refluxing up the esophagus and going back down the bronchial tubes (part of the lungs). The biopsies of the bronchial tubes showed several lipid-laden macrophages. I’m going to try my best to explain what these are….lipid-laden macrophages are white blood cells that the body makes to clean up what shouldn’t be there. These would not be present unless aspiration is ocurring. The doctor referenced pac-man to describe them.

The good news is that the other biopsies of the small intestine, the esophagus and the stomach showed that they are healthy at this point. This means that the prevacid that Tye takes is doing it's job which is to heal any damage from the reflux.

Aspiration can cause a number of serious illnesses like pneumonia or a lifetime of Asthma. At this point we are seeing croup like symptoms….the doctor says this can happen after Tye has a large aspiration. We are seeing this after he has been laying flat for naps and over the night. He will wake up with a croup like cough. If it gets bad enough like we have had in the past he can be treated with steroids to shrink some of the swelling in the esophagus. The reason we have not found the steroids to work in the past as well as they should is because he is not actually catching croup like other kids can. It is actually symptoms of the reflux & aspirating.

Anti-reflux surgery called fundoplication of the stomach has been suggested to help Tye by the P.G.I. doctor. The pediatric surgeon will wrap the upper portion of the stomach partially or completely around the esophagus at the junction where the esophagus meets the stomach. This creates a one way valve such that liquid and food cannot reflux back into the esophagus.

In most cases this procedure is done laparoscopically. Small incisions will be made: one in the belly button, one up high on the stomach ,and two in the lower abdomen. It only is done open when there are other organs, like the liver, in the way or the child is super tiny.

The hospital stay can be anywhere from 1 night to 7 nights without any complications. Depending on the child’s needs, a feeding tube, or g-tube, may be placed into the stomach at the time of surgery. We should know more about this after meeting with the peds surgeon on October 15th. The g-tube is used to burp or relieve any bloat. Also, it can be used for feeding if necessary, or for extracting in the case of the need to vomit. It will take time after the surgery for a child to be able to do these things on their own.

Recovery time can be different for every case. Our doctor informed us that it could take up to a year for Tye’s “insides” to heal. Generally, a six week liquid or pureed diet is recommended. After 6 weeks solid food will be reintroduced slowly.

This is what I know and understand right now….I will be updating my information after speaking with the surgeon in a couple of weeks.

Peek-A-Boo

Tye was very cute this morning playing in the laundry basket with his daddy!

Channing & Tye

Do you think Tye has his first crush?

At the park

We played at the park today with my good friend, Kerinda, and her kids, Channing & Gannon. Both of us are without husbands this week. Bob left early this morning to drive to Pocatello, Idaho. Then he will head through Montana and Washington State for a game Saturday, and return home on Sunday.

Hanging out in the backyard

We are starting to feel a little bit of fall with cooler evenings and mornings here in Idaho. It's been nice to get out the jeans and long sleeve t-shirts. This is a new shirt from Aunt Shelly! Very cute!

After Surgery Pictures

Tye's procedure

Yesterday, we arrived at St. Luke's hospital bright and early for Tye's procedure. Our doctor had one surgery before Tye's which went much longer than scheduled so we spent a couple hours in the pre-op area. Thank goodness for a great play area that was donated by our friends, Beth and Adam, who have a foundation in memory of their son, AJ. When Dr. Beck was just about ready for Tye he was given a concoction of pain medicine and sedative, orally. He began to act completely goofy! Bob and I could not help but laugh at him. After they took him he was put to sleep with a gas mask then an IV was started followed by the surgery.

We saw Tye about an hour later in a room on the pediatric floor. Other than having many wires hooked up to him enabling him from walking around he did very well.

We should have results to the biopsies next week. The only result they had right away was from what they could see visually. There was swelling around the vocal cords that is abnormal. Debris was removed in the bronchial tubes that was also abnormal. The tubes were also red and contained white spots. This can all be related to reflux.

Pediatrician Appointment

Tye visited Dr. Zieba, our pediatrician, today for his 18 month check up and shots. I guess he will have one shot at 2 years old then he won't need anymore until Kindergarten. That's a scary thought...Kindergarten. My baby will never be that old. :)

Tye weighed in today at 20 lbs. 7 ozs. and he is 31 1/2 inches long. Although, his weight gain is very slow he grew and inch and 1/2 in 2 months and one shoe size. I could not figure out why Tye did not want to put on his shoes that he loves so much. Yes, I am talking about those shoes he insists on putting on first thing in the morning. They do go well with all his outfits, but not so well with his pajamas. I took him to our (okay my) favorite kid's shoes store, Little Feet, and he measured a whole size larger than his sandals. He still just wears a 5 1/2.

Anyway, back to the doctors visit. It all went fine. Tye cried for a couple minutes after his shots then tore off his band aid and we were off.

A Night Out

Last night I enjoyed a night out with my friends at a bar called The Reef. Tye has become accustomed to playing at our neighbors across the street so it was not difficult to leave him. When we visit Tye knows right where to go to get out the toys and he doesn't waste any time. Carol and Keith are grandparents to Katie, who is three. They have a crib for Katie that Tye uses while he is over there. He will play hard then they put him to bed. They truly are the greatest babysitters!

Anyway, my great friend Kerinda, has many sisters and just one younger brother, Tyrone Wells. Tyrone is touring with his band which brought him to Boise last night for the second time since we moved here. He is tremendous! Go check him out at http://www.myspace.com/tyronewells Here is a picture from May when he was in town.

Bathtub

Tye had to take a bath today after squeezing dog poop in his hand. He was all squeeky clean but didn't want to get out. He played in the dry tub for 10 minutes being very goofy.

Another Video

Neighborhood Video

This video was taken at one of our neighborhood playgrounds. Bo climbed up the stairs with Tye the other day so now he will not go up there without him!

Toys R Us

Toys R Us

While my mom was in town visiting last week we had to take a trip to Toys R Us. Who would of known that the store could be so much fun for Tye. It was difficult to get him to leave after trying out the whole isle of cars and trucks. Uncle Scott would be proud that he liked the tractor best!