Happy Trachiversary?

Today, February 1, 2010, marks the Two year anniversary of Austin's airway surgery. Without a doubt it saved his life. A quick recap for the new followers, Austin participated in a sleep deprivation study on January 25, 2008 that determined his small airway was basically slowly suffocating him. Exactly one week later on February 1, 2008 he had surgery, a tracheotomy, to create an alternate airway. The crazy thing is up until that very week I had no idea how sick he really was. From the moment Doctor ENT told me he needed a tracheotomy, our lives were irrevocably changed.  For better or for worse, today is Austin's 2nd Trachiversary.





Now exactly how does One celebrate a Trachiversary? Do you...celebrate?

I suppose it depends on how you look at it. 

I could chose to celebrate the fact that two years later Austin is still very much alive and doing kid stuff. Or I could chose to bemoan the fact that our lives are filled with lots of chaos and disruption due to one little piece of plastic that I live in constant fear of losing every minute of every, single day. Tomorrow I reserve the right to complain, but not today. Today I chose to be thankful.

I am thankful that a little over two years ago I took an off-hand suggestion from one doctor and relayed it to another. I am thankful that his ENT was quick to take action to save Austin's life. I am thankful that I did not fear the Trach more than I feared losing my 3 month old son. I am thankful that I made the right decision for us, in my mind it was the ONLY choice. I would do it over again in a heartbeat.

Today I am also feeling hopeful, as Austin is once again in surgery this morning. His new ENT is going to remove his tracheostomy tube and determine if Austin's airway is stable. He will place a camera down his airway right up to his lungs. Although only about 20 minutes in length, this procedure could bring Austin one very BIG step closer to having his Trach capped and then, removed.

Today I hope that if there are any tears at all they are of joy and not sadness. But I don't want to get ahead of myself. Next Monday he has a sleep study to help further determine his airway progress. Could we really be one week away from changing our lives again? Now, that is reason to celebrate.


Thanks for peeking,