Decisions

Yesterday was a very long day.

First of all...the vet called this morning and said Bruno is better! He is still very sick but he seems to have turned a corner and is more alert. They are continuing IV fluids and antibiotic medicines. I'm going down there in a little while to spend some time with him. They tell me it's just like human babies, when their loved ones are with them and can hold them they get better faster. I am very thankful to God right now. I know it may seem trivial to some but the love we have for that little guy is very real and important to us.

So we met for a very long time with the pulmonary specialist yesterday and we have made a decision. Steve is going to go ahead and get the tracheotomy. I know this sounds drastic but it really isn't. All signs are pointing to Steve having an upper airway obstruction. Basically the muscles controlling his vocal cords are swelling and inflaming and closing when they are being irritated by the acid from his stomach. If he gets a tracheotomy it is placed below the vocal cords and even if they are completely shut he can still breathe without difficulty.

He will still be able to speak and breathe through his mouth and nose. All he has to do is close off the opening to the trach. This will also take care of his sleep apnea. The doctor was very clear yesterday that Steve does have asthma. Most likely caused by the acid reflux as well. The trach won't change that but he can administer his medicines through it.

The goal is to get him breathing well and allow him to heal and get well. We are still going to pursue the GI doctors at Stanford and possibly the surgery to correct the stomach problem. They do not even have a consult appointment available until the first week in December and most likely will not even consider surgery for months because of the clots in his lungs and the blood thinning drugs he needs. Steve needs help now. He's been hospitalized 13 times since the end of January, has not been to work since the first week in September and he needs to get back to his life.

Please pray that the doctors agree and if this is something that can be done it gets done very soon. Steve is very nervous but relieved. It's a little scary but a lot hopeful and he is very anxious to just get this done. So am I. I bet you all are too!