Sunday, Nov. 20 something

Here is the latest:

Samuel IS NOT spitting up! Very good news.

The next step: the Drs. will be doing a scope tomorrow which will look at Samuel's Stomach and lungs. This will see if there are any problems that would indicate he would continue to have feeding problems that would stretch into the next few months. if the scope shows that there are problems, the Drs. will put in the G tube right away. If the doctors don't see any problems, they will not put in the G tube, but instead do a swallow study on Tuesday. The Swallow study will tell them if Samuel still aspirates (swallows fluid into his lungs). If he aspirates, he will have another procedure on Wed. to put the G tube then. If he doesn't aspirate, they will try to keep Samuel on the NG tube (a tube that goes from his nose to stomach rather than all the way to his intestines). The reason this is better than the NJ tube (going to his intestines) is we can replace the NG tube if it falls out. So, to review, below are the possible outcomes we are looking at:

1) Samuel has a scope which shows he will have swallow problems for a few months to come. G tube goes in
2) Samuel has a scope which shows no immediate swallow problems. He gets a swallow study Tuesday.

Tuesday's swallow study:

1) Samuel still aspirates and needs a G tube, which requires another procedure.
2) Samuel doesn't aspirate, and he gets a NG tube, which we can replace at home if it comes out.


So, there are many possible outcomes, each with benefits, drawbacks and risks. I guess we're just praying that this all becomes clear soon.

Thanks
Tracy