Cincinnati

Carson recovered wonderfully from anesthesia today. Liz said he is acting just like himself after taking a short nap and is all smiles this evening. Liz and Preston are sleep-deprived, but they are making it. There were three doctors in the operating room. The results are preliminary, because they have not been able to completely review the information found nor discuss it with all the doctors. However, here is the synopsis of what we know now. There are multiple blockages in Carson's airway from the level of his nose to just above his trachea. He does not have as much tracheomalacia as bronchomalacia (further in his lungs than the trachea in the bronchioloes he has "floppiness" or weak cartilage)  from the results today. His epiglottis and vocal cords are quite a bit displaced from the normal location. As a result, the physicians feel it will be a minimum of 4-5 years before there is a possibility of removal of his trach. To be able to accomplish this, Carson will have to have multiple surgeries to try to remove scar tissue, extra lymph tissue, and potential reconstruction of his airway and/or larynx, but they do not feel it is completely insurmountable. His esophagus looked good on this exam. He may have a slight bit of extrinsic pressure but not enough to cause the difficulties swallowing that he has experienced. His lining of his esophagus and stomach looked good other than the need for a G-tube revision at some point, because it didn't heal in a circular shape but rather irregular shape that none of the G-tubes or buttons fit resulting in leaking. They do feel he will need his G-tube for at least a few more years, so that surgery for the G-tube revision will have to be accomplished at some point.  Tomorrow is the FEES test (evaluation of swallow) and they have added an MRI at 4:30 pm tomorrow. Liz and Preston are planning to drive back, so they will have nursing care to help watch Carson so they can get some sleep. Please pray for safe travel as they are pretty tired already and have a full night and day tomorrow. Although we know God has a good plan, please pray for peace in the hearts of Preston and Liz, because this news indicates a long road ahead for them and Carson.