Success

The DLB procedure was a success.  We knew that Caroline has laryngomalacia, which is an obstruction just above her voice box.  However, ENT suspected that she might have brochomalacia, a lower obstruction.  I cannot say those words, so we just say Larry and Bronco.  ENT put a scope down Caroline's throat and looked around.  They found that she has mild brochomalacia.  The doctors were very happy that it is just a mild case.  In fact, they will try to get the breathing tube out this week to see if she can "fly solo".  If she can handle it, we will skip the dreaded CPAP this time.  I first heard the doctors say that they hope to try this in about a week, but I later heard that they may try as early as Wednesday.  It all depends on how she recovers.

Watching the anesthesiologists and nurses transport Caroline and all of her wires and tubes from her bed to the OR was really intense and impressive.  They worked fast and with confidence.  I could go without seeing that for awhile, though.

As soon as we saw Caroline after the procedure, we noticed that she had her eyes open.  She gave us "what the heck was that" face and then passed out for the rest of the day.

The only upsetting thing about today was sitting in the waiting room for about an hour too long.  The doctors told us that the procedure would be one hour at the very most.  In fact, she was back to her bed in the NICU in about 45 minutes.  We sat in the waiting room for close to 2 hours.  After hearing the risks of general anesthesia on a small baby and signing the consent forms, we were a little uncomfortable.  We finally asked someone and found out that she had been finished for awhile and was back in the NICU.  The important thing is that they do good work on Caroline, but my blood pressure was probably...unhealthy.

I heard something funny today.  Caroline's neighbor was released today.  When a baby gets released, a nurse walks the baby to the car.  The nurse said that she had to load the baby into a lowrider vintage Cadillac with rims.  Sorry, but mom's that drive the Toyota Sienna minivan, a/k/a the "Swagger Wagon" have nothing on that.

Thanks for your prayers.  Here are a few pictures from today:

Transferring from bed 

On the way to the OR

Recovery