![Picture](/uploads/9/0/4/7/9047278/9213878.jpg)
August 1st, 2013 was a super big day for Gracie Jane! Gracie got her trach out today! After two and a half years, she is ready to breathe, sing, drink, eat, laugh and play all on her own! After airway scopes, eye surgeries and overnight capped trials, we have arrived!
It is really the most simple thing, taking a trach out. It comes out just like taking out an earring. In fact, we take it out to change it once a week. Or we used to!! We could have done this at home ourselves for the five minutes we saw the doctor today, but we are not complaining!! Below is a link to the video clip right when the Doc took it out- don't blink!
It is really the most simple thing, taking a trach out. It comes out just like taking out an earring. In fact, we take it out to change it once a week. Or we used to!! We could have done this at home ourselves for the five minutes we saw the doctor today, but we are not complaining!! Below is a link to the video clip right when the Doc took it out- don't blink!
![Picture](/uploads/9/0/4/7/9047278/9127359.jpg)
http://youtu.be/rPUpjctNtp8
*Gracie holding her trach right after decannulation.
The doctor taped some gauze over her stoma. We will continue to clean the area each day and keep it covered until it heals over. We see our ENT again in six weeks to make sure that it is completely closed. If not, then he will do a minor, out-patient procedure to close it. I would not be surprised if this is the case just based on how the skin and scar tissue look, but we will see. But for now, Gracie has had absolutely no trouble adjusting to this change today. In fact, she breathes easier as there is no longer a capped tube in her airway! Her voice sounded a little breathy for the first few minutes, but that has already cleared up. She has had no trouble eating or drinking and she has been playing and jumping all around the house :) And you know what is so fun? We can see her neck! She has had that blue trach tie on for two years!
*Gracie holding her trach right after decannulation.
The doctor taped some gauze over her stoma. We will continue to clean the area each day and keep it covered until it heals over. We see our ENT again in six weeks to make sure that it is completely closed. If not, then he will do a minor, out-patient procedure to close it. I would not be surprised if this is the case just based on how the skin and scar tissue look, but we will see. But for now, Gracie has had absolutely no trouble adjusting to this change today. In fact, she breathes easier as there is no longer a capped tube in her airway! Her voice sounded a little breathy for the first few minutes, but that has already cleared up. She has had no trouble eating or drinking and she has been playing and jumping all around the house :) And you know what is so fun? We can see her neck! She has had that blue trach tie on for two years!
![Picture](/uploads/9/0/4/7/9047278/4651225.jpg)
*Gracie's last tracheostomy tube!
Ramsey and I are just looking around our house at all of this medical equipment and supplies that were everyday essentials just a few hours ago. Now we really don't need most of it! Weird! We are so thrilled but also in a little bit of shock as we have all been through a lot over the past couple of years. It's difficult to shut that off- the routines, the specialized care, etc. But again, I am SURE we will get used to it really quickly!
Ramsey and I are just looking around our house at all of this medical equipment and supplies that were everyday essentials just a few hours ago. Now we really don't need most of it! Weird! We are so thrilled but also in a little bit of shock as we have all been through a lot over the past couple of years. It's difficult to shut that off- the routines, the specialized care, etc. But again, I am SURE we will get used to it really quickly!
![Picture](/uploads/9/0/4/7/9047278/4849747.jpg)
We did a little princess dress-up photo shoot this morning to commemorate the occasion ;)
I also wanted to add that Gracie's speech continues to come along beautifully. Her Speech Therapist feels that she is pretty well caught up! She will see Gracie through this transition and then that's one more thing to check off the list! Amazing, amazing GRACIE!!!
And I just have to take a moment to THANK YOU ALL! We have had such an outpouring of support from our SUPER INCREDIBLE family and friends. We never had to go through any of this alone and there will never be adequate words to express what that did for us. We love you all and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sharing in our journey!
Lauren, Ramsey, Gracie and Benjamin
I also wanted to add that Gracie's speech continues to come along beautifully. Her Speech Therapist feels that she is pretty well caught up! She will see Gracie through this transition and then that's one more thing to check off the list! Amazing, amazing GRACIE!!!
And I just have to take a moment to THANK YOU ALL! We have had such an outpouring of support from our SUPER INCREDIBLE family and friends. We never had to go through any of this alone and there will never be adequate words to express what that did for us. We love you all and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sharing in our journey!
Lauren, Ramsey, Gracie and Benjamin