OR Update

James did a great job today! We got to the hospital around 9:00 and made it back to the pre-op area around 9:30. The OR James was scheduled to go into was running behind so he didn't end up going back until right around noon. (This actually worked out because we got to watch the USA win a World Cup game!) The surgeon went in with his scope and was very pleased with how James' esophagus looks. There was really no narrowing at all at the connection site, but he went ahead and dilated since he was in there. James' stomach is plenty big enough to handle full oral feeds now too, so we can start "aggressively" weaning him off his J-tube! The surgeon also put in a new J-tube to replace the temporary one James got over the weekend in the ER (after he pulled out his old one in his sleep, twice). So all went well with James in the OR and we got back to see him in recovery a little before 2. It was his shortest OR trip ever...and hopefully his last! After James showed he could take down fluids and keep them down, we got to go home. We were home by 5 and after a big meal (he hadn't eaten since the night before) and a long walk, James went to bed early around 6:15. He missed his naps today and had a surgery so he deserves his rest!

Future plans: James is now going to only be getting tube feeds over night, roughly 12 hours. We will do this for 7-10 days to help him build his appetite and feeding skills/routine. At this point if he is doing well, then we will try cutting him back to no tube feeds to see if he can handle it. He goes back for a check-up in 3 weeks and could possibly get the tube out then if he's no longer using it. There's a distinct possibility he will have it out by his birthday in 8 weeks! James will have to have a check-up with a surgeon every 4-6 weeks until the tube is out. After that he will have to follow-up with his surgeon once a year.

It seems like after 10+ months and 7 OR trips later, we can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. I am hesitantly hopeful that James will decide he loves his bottle and start taking 3 full bottles a day soon (on top of his 4 ounces+ of solids he eats already). The ball is in his court now, so to speak. Hopefully he'll start playing!