Pulmonary Visit - Feb. 6, 2009

Yes, we need to get this blog up and running! We have been sidetracked by Ollie's cuteness - at least that's our story. Perhaps we can get it up this week. Once it is functional we'll even be able to email updates from our phones.

Info from Ollie's Pulmonary Visit with Dr. Kravitz on February 6, 2009:

• Breathing function was decreased but still within normal limits.
• When they administered a breathing treatment, it caused a lot of mucus to be expelled. As a result, they've added a nebulizer to the machines we have for Ollie. Thankfully, the amount of stuff we are getting up is getting less after each treatment.
• We are to continue the CoughAssist twice a day (or more as needed) and the nebulizer at least once a day and no more than 4 times.
• We are to monitor his pulse and oxygen saturations with his pulse oximeter once or twice a day.
  
• After discussions with the neurologist and pulmonologist, we have scheduled a consultation with Dr. Henry Rice, a pediatric surgeon, (currently scheduled for next week on February 18) to schedule a gastronomy tube (G-Tube) placement with the Nissen fundoplication to minimize the risks of reflux and aspiration.
• In the meantime, we are also supposed to evaluate his secretion levels (they are already quite high) and they will consider performing Botox injections to slow them down. Apparently, this is beginning to prove more effective than drying agent drugs and doesn't have the side effect of thickening saliva and mucus, meaning a mucus plug in the throat or trachea is less likely to occur.
• We are scheduled to see the pulmonologist in 2 months (appointment is set for April 3rd), or sooner if anything changes dramatically in Ollie's condition.

So overall, he's doing pretty good. He's still eating well (both solids and formula) but solids are beginning to be a bit more of a challenge due to the excessive salivation.