We are taking the summer "off"! We are taking a little break from in-home therapies and all of our various doctor apps are becoming less and less. As our big girl is now 15 MONTHS OLD we do have to get some shots at the pediatrician (meh) but that's true for any kiddo. So the only other doctor app this summer (knock in wood!) is on July 9th when we visit the ENT. This appointment is to check in with Gracie's airway and see how she is developing. In simple terms, he puts his finger over her trach and listens to how well (or not) she can breath. This appointment used to send me into full blown panic attack mode, but now that Gracie likes to cover her own trach and SCREAM and LAUGH, it is not such a big deal.
So hopefully we will get a better idea of a timeline for the trach, but he could also say, "Nope, not ready yet. See you in another six months to check in!", which would be fine too. Decannulation (taking the trach out) is NOT something to rush, and Gracie is thriving so we can definitely be respectful of where she is and patient in supporting her through it!
So other than that we have been playing and having fun and Gracie has been EATING!! Easy Mac, hot dogs, cut up fruit and tomatoes, cheese... doesn't that sound so normal?! She is really into doing things herself right now, and it is a blast to present her with a plate of finger foods and watch her feed herself. It's like watching a little miracle happen right here in my own kitchen! It wasn't so long ago that she would try to drink her milk and it would just pool in her mouth and spill out. Now her throat has grown and opened enough for big bites of cheesy noddles to go down. It's amazing!
Just for laughs, here are some short video clips. Hope it brings you a smile!
http://youtu.be/d23lqcnpUOE
http://youtu.be/-rPj4EyNJTE
So hopefully we will get a better idea of a timeline for the trach, but he could also say, "Nope, not ready yet. See you in another six months to check in!", which would be fine too. Decannulation (taking the trach out) is NOT something to rush, and Gracie is thriving so we can definitely be respectful of where she is and patient in supporting her through it!
So other than that we have been playing and having fun and Gracie has been EATING!! Easy Mac, hot dogs, cut up fruit and tomatoes, cheese... doesn't that sound so normal?! She is really into doing things herself right now, and it is a blast to present her with a plate of finger foods and watch her feed herself. It's like watching a little miracle happen right here in my own kitchen! It wasn't so long ago that she would try to drink her milk and it would just pool in her mouth and spill out. Now her throat has grown and opened enough for big bites of cheesy noddles to go down. It's amazing!
Just for laughs, here are some short video clips. Hope it brings you a smile!
http://youtu.be/d23lqcnpUOE
http://youtu.be/-rPj4EyNJTE