Wednesday, 7/6

Dinky's back and doing well. The dilation of his esophagus went off without a hitch and the infamous string is now gone (the one that went in his mouth, down his esophagus and out his g-tube). So I know that's a relief for him! The bronch went well. It did show that he still has some malacia in his airway (weak sections). They think that's why his airway is collapsing and he's having "blue spells" when he bears down. Unfortunately the only real cure for that is time and growth. It is encouraging that it doesn't require any surgical intervention. They did increase his oxygen from 3 liters to 5. It's not that he requires that much oxygen it just provides more pressure which will "blow" his airway open and give him more reserve. He's waking up now and his daddy is downstairs entertaining him (more on that in a minute).

On his way to the O.R. this morning Dinky was obviously trying to poop. They were wheeling him there and I jokingly said, "Don't worry Dinky, when you're done Dr. D (his surgeon) will change your diaper". So afterwards his surgeon, who I've mentioned before is very serious, was talking to us about the procedure. After he told us all of the information he deadpanned, "And I changed his diaper so he's all clean". It was pretty funny.

Now, about Martin. I just have to mention what a special bond he and Dinky have developed. No one can make Dinky smile like he can. Yesterday they were playing all sorts of games and Dinky was just as tickled as can be. Today I was holding Dinky before he went to the O.R. and he was looking around very curiously. We had taken down his mobile so Martin went over to get it so we'd have something for Dinky to focus on. He came walking back with this big colorful mobile and as soon as he got in Dinky's field of vision Dinky just broke out with the biggest smile. It was so cute. I have to admit I too had to smile at the image of my 6'3" husband looking like a tall tree with that big mobile. It provided some much needed stress relief this morning.